Hi-Beam Indicator Lamp: Description and Operation

A headlamp high beam indicator lamp is standard equipment on all instrument clusters. The high beam indicator lamp is located near the upper edge of the instrument cluster overlay, in the center of the cluster. The high beam indicator lamp consists of a International Control and Display Symbol icon for "High Beam". This icon is a stenciled cutout in the opaque layer of the instrument cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of the overlay prevents the icon from being clearly visible when the lamp is not illuminated. However, a blue lens behind the cutout in the opaque layer of the overlay causes the icon to appear in blue through the translucent outer layer of the overlay when it is illuminated from behind by a replaceable incandescent bulb and bulb holder unit located on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board. The headlamp high beam indicator lamp is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.

The headlamp high beam indicator lamp gives an indication to the vehicle operator that the high beams of the headlights have been selected. This lamp is hard wired on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board, and is controlled by a headlamp beam select switch input to the cluster. The headlamp high beam indicator lamp bulb is grounded on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board at all times and receives battery current whenever the headlamps are turned ON and the headlamp high beams are selected; therefore, the lamp can be ON regardless of the ignition switch position. The headlamp high beam select switch is integral to the left multi-function switch on the steering column, and is connected in series between the headlamp switch and the headlamp high beam indicator lamp. (Refer to LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH - OPERATION). The high beam indicator lamp can be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and methods.