{"id":13,"date":"2003-04-15T09:27:06","date_gmt":"2003-04-15T13:27:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/54.197.161.112\/?p=13"},"modified":"2023-01-02T19:50:52","modified_gmt":"2023-01-03T00:50:52","slug":"13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/192.168.1.84:81\/stuff\/malibu_headlights\/index.html","title":{"rendered":"Chevrolet Malibu Quad Beam Headlight Mod"},"content":{"rendered":"
Summary:<\/strong> On the Chevy Malibu and other GM vehicles when the high-beam headlamps are engaged the low-beam headlamps automatically turn off. I found this absurd because I wanted to be able to have my headlamps produce as much light as they are capable of. The high-beam and low-beam lamps are in separate chambers and I see no reason why the low beams should turn off just because the high beams are engaged. This mod makes it possible. Driving with the high beams only illuminates the area ahead of you, the low beams illuminate the area just in front of you, but with this mod, you can enjoy the best of both.<\/p>\n Malibu headlight electrical theory:<\/strong> Under a stock configuration the headlights will work as follows: High beam: So if we want the low beam lamps to stay on when the high beam lamps are engaged we need to drop one of those low beam terminals to ground (blue wire). In this mod the relay does that for us.<\/span><\/p>\n Materials Required: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The relay is going to be triggered when the high beam (pink wire) drops to ground and connects the low beam (blue wire) to ground. You\u2019ll want to use a standard automotive relay. It doesn\u2019t matter if it does or does not have pin 87a, it’s not needed.<\/span><\/p>\n Wire up the relay as follows:<\/strong><\/p>\n You only need to perform this mod on one side of your car for it to work with both of your headlights. It doesn\u2019t matter which side, but the driver’s side seems to be a bit easier.<\/p>\n Results:<\/strong> Resources:<\/strong>
\nThe Malibu headlamps are controlled ground side. When the headlamps are not illuminating, there is 12V+ applied to both terminals. To turn a headlamp “on” and make it illuminate you must switch one of those terminals to ground. Bizarre? It gives me a headache to think backward, but after a while, it beings to make sense.<\/p>\n
\nLow beam:
\nBlue<\/span> wire \u2013 at resting state \u201coff\u201d is 12V+, drops to ground when turned \u201con\u201d
\nOrange<\/span> wire \u2013 remains at 12V+ constantly<\/p>\n
\nPink<\/span> wire \u2013 at rest \u201coff\u201d is 12V+, drops to ground when turned \u201con\u201d
\nOrange<\/span> wire – remains at 12V+ constantly<\/p>\n\n
\n\n
\n Relay pin #<\/td>\n Connected to:<\/td>\n Function:<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 85<\/td>\n Pink wire, on high beam<\/td>\n Relay trigger (when wire drops to ground)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 86<\/td>\n Either orange wire (I used the one on the low beam side)<\/td>\n \u201cgrounds\u201d the trigger even though it\u2019s +12V, remember to think backward<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 30<\/td>\n Any metal bolt (negative battery terminal)<\/td>\n True vehicle ground, negative battery terminal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 87<\/td>\n Blue wire, on low beam<\/td>\n Switched pin, passes pin 30\u2019s current (true ground) on to low beam and illuminating the lamp<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 87a<\/td>\n Not connected<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nOnce you figure this all out and install the mod, you will be happy with the results. Your night driving on dark back roads will never be the same.<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.partsexpress.com\/resources\/relays.html<\/a> – Tutorial on relays
\nmalibu_headlight_schematic.gif<\/a> – Malibu Headlight Schematic out of Haynes Manual<\/p>\n