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Headlight problems again
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 5:08 pm
by 91White-T
Well, my headlights have gone from just flickering to completely shutting off randomly
Sometimes they'll shut off while I'm driving, and others they just won't turn on at all, and I tried kicking em and that won't fix em (usually works for most things) Any ideas?? I'm starting to be afraid to drive at night.
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 6:06 pm
by vrg3
When they shut off do they stay off? It's hard to diagnose the problem when it's intermittent, but if you can get the lights stuck off you can check which part of the circuit is at fault.
In the meantime you might consider putting in another harness for your lights in case you do get stuck on the side of the road with no lights. Go to an auto parts store and get a couple of these:
http://www.midwayautosupply.com/detaile ... n.asp?2614
Attach a wire to the common terminal and put a ring terminal on the end of it so you can ground it, and attach a wire with a fuseholder inline to the low beam terminal, with a ring terminal on the end that you can fit onto your positive battery terminal. That way if you carry a 10mm wrench you'll be able to use this as an emergency backup.
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 8:03 pm
by 91White-T
When they shut off they stayed off for a few minutes then came back on, but when they didn't turn on at all I just left it and came back in about an hour and they came on...

Also, I just remembered, when they're not working the high beam indicator also doesn't light up, I don't know if that means anything but I'll mention it anyway.
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 9:09 pm
by 91White-T
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 10:12 pm
by vrg3
Well, it looks like you'll have to trace through the whole circuit...
If you don't have a copy yet, download to your hard drive:
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... Wiring.pdf
Start at page 306 (headlight wiring diagram). You may need to refer back to page 293 (power distribution).
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 5:16 pm
by 91White-T
I bought a couple of 9004 plugs and wired them into my old fog light switch, so now I have headlights. The relay that I thought was at fault costs 40$, so it looks like I'm using the ghetto wired headlights for a while...

Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 6:32 pm
by vrg3
Hehehe... Does your high beam circuit still work?
Do you mean the little headlight relays in the fuse box? PM me; I have some working used ones.
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 7:05 pm
by 91White-T
I didn't wire in both high and low beams, because I only have a 2 postion switch. They're permanent high beams aimed down a little bit, I'll probably just keep it this way since it works fine.
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 7:17 pm
by vrg3
Why would you choose to wire them as high beams permanently on? Even aimed downwards the beam pattern is all wrong.
What I meant was, does your stock high beam circuit still work?
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 6:08 pm
by 91White-T
To answer your question, the low beams are pathetically weak, and it's either wrong beam pattern or no headlights at all...
And the stock circuit works sometimes, but I'm gonna wait until it gets a little warmer out to figure out what the hell's wrong with it.
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 8:10 pm
by evolutionmovement
The low beams shouldn't be
that bad (of course I eat my carrots, so maybe its good night vision

). Maybe there was a wiring issue to begin with that didn't allow the lights to get full power. Not saying these lights are amazing either, but I'm just throwing out that maybe the actual lights aren't the problem. I thought these lights were pretty good after my '74 Datsun. It was like two little gnomes inside the fenders holding candles in front of a reflector.
Steve
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 8:24 pm
by ciper
I agree. A chart exists somewhere that shows the light output compared to voltage. It drops off pretty fast so even a small wiring issue could reduce the lighting.
head light problem
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 8:59 pm
by scubaroo
It sounds to me like it is one of to problems. First check the headlight switch. I had a 88 nissan pulsar nx which the right headlight was dimmer than the left i replaced it to no avail it was still dim i checked the voltage at the light and it was about 8 volts just for fun i replaced the switch (because i had a spare) and problem solved. second My haynes didn't show it but their might be a circuit braker for the head lights that is going bad. learnd that from my first car a 70 ford (back road dark night head lights blinking on and off. glad i put on fog lights).
