88 Fiero GT - V-6 - 5 Speed - Pop-Up Headlight Replacement (Page 2/2)
rebeck02 DEC 13, 12:29 PM
Hi Raydar, Thank you. I really appreciate your continued help and the detailed information. All of it is really helpful. Thank you very much. reb (Roger)
theogre DEC 13, 05:46 PM
1. Need Relays to power the lights. See cave headlights.
W/o the relays 4 bulbs will fry the HL switches & more. Likely already the HL switch &/or beam switch have problems. Those can barely handle amp draw by Factory HL bulbs, hates just having 2 aftermarket DOT Legal "silverstar" et al 55/65 watt bulbs.

Do Not Think the HL switch Breaker will prevent the car from fire! Bad or Overloaded Beam & many other switches & more can melt to start a fire w/o tripping a breaker or blowing a fuse.

2. This "upgrade" is Illegal just having 4 Low beams. Even If "get away with it" locally, drive to other areas in Fl or to/thru other states can be a big Ticket Manget.
"Old school" cars etc w/ 4 HL bulbs allow only 2 Low beam on the outboard bulbs.

Covered is FMVSS 108 involving bulb Type 1C1 2C1 for 4 small round, 1A1 2A1 for 4 small square & related setups. 2_1 is low/high bulb, 1_1 is high only bulb. Many States laws have similar setups for HL allowed affecting all vehicles. While this likely has replaceable bulbs most 4 lamp setup have this rule. (Note that can be hard to read even now because so many HL setups in that reg. I just tried to read current text & made my eyes hurt. Way worse then older versions & have more Paywalled SAE doc's in that not available to the public. Some "text" in tables as Images like "TABLE II-a" listing Type A C etc. https://www.ecfr.gov/curren...rt-B/section-571.108 )

3. Most "HL Kits" etc sold on Eflay & many others are Illegal for other reasons, poorly made too & won't last. Isn't just most HID & LED "bulbs" that have huge problems.
So keep the OE HL parts because may need them to replace this & likely soon.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

rebeck02 DEC 13, 07:20 PM
Hi Mr. Ogre, I really appreciate all of the help, the information, details and your advice. Clearly, I have some pondering to do. Thank you. reb (Roger)
theogre DEC 14, 10:19 AM
2 add after reread of Top Post:
Yes, the HL switch Breaker was Tripping out because You need Relays with own fuse link near battery covered in cave.
Also now likely need a new HL switch & maybe beam switch. Breakers, more so w/ Thermal Breakers, "degrade" after tripping only a few times. Relays deflect power used but iffy switches should be replaced anyway.

Low Beam HL On does not = DRL. Just means you have HL On & must have Parking/Taillight On as well. & Parking side of HL Switch is not made handle extra load from HL bulbs.

DRL setups Does Not use Parking Lights at all even when Front Park/Turn bulb is the DRL.
Having Parking/Tail/Marker Lights On w/o HL Full On during Driving is illegal in many states.

Many that use Front Park/Turn bulb as DRL have problems including Factory Setups. Big reason: 2057 1157 2357 (3057 3157 Wedge base of same) & many others bright side filament is never design to run full time & neither are many Fixtures & DRL cook them.

LB HL used as DRL requires "dimming" per FMVSS 108 & some State Laws. Even ignore that, You what this to save bulb life, power draw, etc.
This is often done including OE DRL HL w/ more relay(s) to turn On LB HL but wired in Series so bulbs get ~ 50% power each. (Other vehicle have HL run BCM & other parts does same thing.)
This DRL relay(s) turns Off the function when want Full High or Low beam HL On.

It likely better/easier to find GM or other packaged DRL retrofit kits. Yes, GM actually made a kit for this but likely hard to find now. (GM PN 12370131 ) Is not for use w/ OE Fiero or other vehicles w/ popup/covered HL.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 12-14-2023).]

rebeck02 DEC 14, 05:32 PM
Hi Mr. Ogre,

Thank you for the great information and insights. It's all very helpful and I am learning a lot from it that I definitely didn't know or hadn't considered. I really appreciate your help. reb (Roger)