Headlights only come on with highbeams?

[Systema]

Hey guys.

Ever since I bought my E30, there's been a weird problem with the headlights. They will only come on if the highbeams are on (meaning the stalk is pushed forward or if I hold it back toward me). One of the highbeams is out, too, so I either have no headlights or two lowbeams+one highbeam.

I'm assuming the way it's supposed to work is the lowbeams come on if you pull the light tab thing all the way out, and then the highs are controlled with the stalk.

What I want to know is if there is some way to solve this problem that doesn't involve tearing the steering column apart and testing a bunch of wires. If there isn't, could someone point me in the direction of a wiring diagram that might help me out? Or maybe help me narrow down the possible causes?

[jays325is]

How long have you owned the car for? I know that when I upgraded my headlights to ellipsoid headlights, I had to 'jump' the low beam relay in the fuse box to get the low beams to stay on when the high beams were engaged. So if this has always been a problem for you, maybe the previous owner had that setup and then switched back out to regular sealed beam headlights, which might explain why your low beams only come on with the high beams. I really have no idea if this is the problem, but you can easily check by opening up your fuse box (back corner of the engine bay on the driver side) and check to see if there is a wire connecting the two back large relays. If so, you'd want to remove that. Otherwise, goodluck tracking it down.

[Systema]

I went out to Autozone today and picked up a set of low beam replacements, installed them, and everything works great now!

I think the filaments were out on my old lows, and that's why they wouldn't come on without the highs. Now all I've got to do is replace the one dead highbeam.

[The_Nietzschean]

Bump...
I have a similar problem.
My passenger side low will only come on with the highs.
Are there separate filaments for the highs and lows in the low beam bulb? If so then I have to replace the bulb. Help?
Also, my car is a 91... so it's a sealed beam right :(

[skatingzooyork]

Bump...
I have a similar problem.
My passenger side low will only come on with the highs.
Are there separate filaments for the highs and lows in the low beam bulb? If so then I have to replace the bulb. Help?
Also, my car is a 91... so it's a sealed beam right :(

Did you not read the 1yr old post right above yours???

Yes the low beams have duel filaments, so replace your PS light...

[M4DE30]

^^^ lmao

[1984E30stroker]

I am having a very similar problem with my lights. The high beams work when I pull the stalk towards me, but when i push it away it doesnt work. Also my low lights dont work at all, nor my fog lights, and my front blinkers dont work either. I have a 1984 318i and the guy i bought it from was a 21 year old (new mechanic) that liked tinkering with the car. Any thoughts why none of the lights work for the car except the break lights?