1996 buick riviera headlight switch turns on headlights but nothing else lights up. fuses okay, heard the switch to underhood relay might be out, can't find it.

Sounds like two separate problems. For the headlight, check the headlight relay in the underhood fuse box (may be more than one if you have DRL), but may also be the headlight switch. For the dash lights, there may be a dead spot on the brightness control. Rotate it a few time to see if that fixes the problem.

From Info I have looked at I believe under hood micro switch relay 35 is for low beam and 34 is for high beam. It also looks like you have a different fuse for each light. The relay are for both low beam or both high beams. each headlight has its own fuse. I believe #4 fuse under hood is for passenger side low beam. fuses 1-4 under hood are for the four headlights as I understand the info I have seen.

It can be faulty headlight switch or issue with its wiring. Or its faulty head light fuse.

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To troubleshoot the issue i suggest you few help links with appropriate solution. So you can follow the test and confirm what exact problem is there in your case of headlights not working:-----

Click the link below: -----

http://alltypesofpartsreplacing.blogspot.com/2012/12/headlights-not-working-high-beams-not.html

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These details will help.

Thanks.

I read over the recalls and they do have recalls on brake and turn signal lights but not the low beam headlights while driving at night.

Sounds like the relay or headlamp driver module relay 46, for the headlights is going bad, though.
Or, it could alternatively be bad grounding of wire somewhere or bad wiring in general.

I would check in the underhood fuse box for the relay and see if wiggling it to ensure a good connection helps matters.


Underhood Fuse Block 4.2L Engine Except Saab Underhood Fuse Block (2002 - 2005 Early Production)

Underhood Fuse Block (2005 Late Production - 2007)

Saab Underhood Fuse Block (2005)

Underhood Fuse Block (2005 - 2007)

5.3L Engine Except Saab Underhood Fuse Block (2003 - 2005 Early Production)

Saab Underhood Fuse Block (2005)

Underhood Fuse Block (2006 - 2007)

5.3L & 6.0L Engines Except Saab Underhood Fuse Block (2005 Late Production - 2007)

Most probable cause is your headlight switch, but could also be the headlight relay (in the underhood fuse box).

bad headlight switch is the correct answer

If the lights don't turn off with the new switch they are getting power from another source which probably means the power wire has a bare spot and is drawing from another power wire that is live all time. This is most likely to be happening under the hood. You'll have to start tracing wires from the headloghts back. Hope this helps.

Headloght switch or dimmer HI-Lo switch is what I would look at. The power to the headlights goes through the dimmer switch before it gets to the bulbs. No relay!

Replace bulbs yet? Dimmer switch may be stuck on high?

Sounds like a bum relay in the main underhood fuse box. My complete illustrated tutorial for repairing this $80.00 part is here: http://www.customsaab.com/Custom_Saab_NG900_OG9-3_Performance_Articles/p2_articleid/24