Low beam headlights not working. |
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Low beam headlights not working. |
bmtrnavsky |
Sep 1 2010, 12:23 PM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 355 Joined: 20-October 07 From: Longview, TX Member No.: 8,245 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I was driving home last night and my low beam headlights stopped working. High beams come on normal and all the other lights work. Fuses are all good. Ideas? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
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bmtrnavsky |
Sep 1 2010, 12:28 PM
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#2
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Member Group: Members Posts: 355 Joined: 20-October 07 From: Longview, TX Member No.: 8,245 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I was driving home last night and my low beam headlights stopped working. High beams come on normal and all the other lights work. Fuses are all good. Ideas? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Forgot... 73 2.0 |
TheCabinetmaker |
Sep 1 2010, 12:30 PM
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#3
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I drive my car everyday Group: Members Posts: 8,300 Joined: 8-May 03 From: Tulsa, Ok. Member No.: 666 |
Did you try rolling the fuse in it holder?
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dr914@autoatlanta.com |
Sep 1 2010, 12:38 PM
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#4
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 7,864 Joined: 3-January 07 From: atlanta georgia Member No.: 7,418 Region Association: None |
Hi Low beam relay has failed. Typical
I was driving home last night and my low beam headlights stopped working. High beams come on normal and all the other lights work. Fuses are all good. Ideas? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) |
bmtrnavsky |
Sep 1 2010, 12:40 PM
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#5
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Member Group: Members Posts: 355 Joined: 20-October 07 From: Longview, TX Member No.: 8,245 Region Association: Southwest Region |
Hi Low beam relay has failed. Typical I was driving home last night and my low beam headlights stopped working. High beams come on normal and all the other lights work. Fuses are all good. Ideas? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Where is that relay located? Also I played with the fuses, but I'll try again... |
anderssj |
Sep 1 2010, 12:48 PM
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#6
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Dog is my copilot... Group: Members Posts: 1,656 Joined: 28-January 03 From: VA Member No.: 207 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I had this problem about 5 years ago on my 72.
If I remember correctly, the fact that the fog lights and high beams work indicates the headlight switch is OK. The problem would have to be with either the connections leading to/from the combination relay or internal to the combination relay itself. IIRC, it's a rectangular relay on the fuse panel (I think). On my 72, the relay is powered through the red/white wire between "56" on headlight switch and "56" on the combination relay--your 73 might be different. In my case, the problem was internal to the relay--the low beam contacts weren't staying closed. I opened the relay and cleaned up the contacts (and maybe tweeked the spring/tensioner a little) and it's been good since. Sorry, I don't have pictures . . . . Hope this helps. Steve A- |
bmtrnavsky |
Sep 1 2010, 04:44 PM
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#7
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Member Group: Members Posts: 355 Joined: 20-October 07 From: Longview, TX Member No.: 8,245 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I had this problem about 5 years ago on my 72. If I remember correctly, the fact that the fog lights and high beams work indicates the headlight switch is OK. The problem would have to be with either the connections leading to/from the combination relay or internal to the combination relay itself. IIRC, it's a rectangular relay on the fuse panel (I think). On my 72, the relay is powered through the red/white wire between "56" on headlight switch and "56" on the combination relay--your 73 might be different. In my case, the problem was internal to the relay--the low beam contacts weren't staying closed. I opened the relay and cleaned up the contacts (and maybe tweeked the spring/tensioner a little) and it's been good since. Sorry, I don't have pictures . . . . Hope this helps. Steve A- Anyone know where the relay is located? |
avidfanjpl |
Sep 1 2010, 05:52 PM
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#8
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914 Hemophiliac Group: Members Posts: 720 Joined: 6-April 10 From: Bear, Delaware Member No.: 11,566 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Relay is behind the fuse panel. 2 screws or bolts hold it in. Look at any relay chart of the fuse panel to know which one it is.
I can't remember, but it is definitely the relay or the fuse or both. When replacing the relay ONLY use OEM made in GERMANY. Everything else is CRAP. ESPECIALLY ANYTHING WITH URO on it. Get a used working one. I carry 4 with me at all times. To test any relay in the car, you can use the most rearward relay socket in the relay board in the engine compartment on the driver's side, disconnect the coil, turn the ignition on, pull the heater handle rear of the shifter, and bingo you should hear the fan. If the fan works, you have a good relay, if not, it needs to be tossed and replaced. I checked all mine when I got the car (there are 2 in the headlight assembly to make the lights go up and down, 3 in the fuse panel and typically 3 in the relay board. I had 4 bad ones. Amazing I got the car 1500 miles to home in SoCal from Portand without incident. I just had no heater, horn, or highbeams, and something else I forget. Good luck! John |
VaccaRabite |
Sep 1 2010, 06:36 PM
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#9
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En Garde! Group: Admin Posts: 13,444 Joined: 15-December 03 From: Dallastown, PA Member No.: 1,435 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
1) unhook the battery.
2) drop the fuse panel in cabin of the car. 3) Make sure the low beam fuse has not blown (fuses 3 and 4) 4) look for a rectangular relay that is held on the fuse panel with a little metal clip, and not the rubber bullet like the other relays. The relay in question will have leads going to fuse 1 and 2 (high beams - white wire) and fuse 3 and 4 (low beams, yellow wire). In the relay, pin 56a is the low beam pin, and will have a yellow wire. Pin F is the high beam pin, and will have a white wire attached to it. 5) replace it. Some beetles use a different relay looking, but the wire diagram on it is the same and it works in place of the stock 914 part. Confirm that you don't have any wires grounding out and plug back in the battery. You will now be able to test the headlights. If they work, unplug the battery again and replace the fuse panel. Zach |
bmtrnavsky |
Sep 2 2010, 12:52 AM
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#10
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Member Group: Members Posts: 355 Joined: 20-October 07 From: Longview, TX Member No.: 8,245 Region Association: Southwest Region |
1) unhook the battery. 2) drop the fuse panel in cabin of the car. 3) Make sure the low beam fuse has not blown (fuses 3 and 4) 4) look for a rectangular relay that is held on the fuse panel with a little metal clip, and not the rubber bullet like the other relays. The relay in question will have leads going to fuse 1 and 2 (high beams - white wire) and fuse 3 and 4 (low beams, yellow wire). In the relay, pin 56a is the low beam pin, and will have a yellow wire. Pin F is the high beam pin, and will have a white wire attached to it. 5) replace it. Some beetles use a different relay looking, but the wire diagram on it is the same and it works in place of the stock 914 part. Confirm that you don't have any wires grounding out and plug back in the battery. You will now be able to test the headlights. If they work, unplug the battery again and replace the fuse panel. Zach Thanks! |
windforfun |
Sep 2 2010, 11:23 AM
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#11
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,789 Joined: 17-December 07 From: Blackhawk, CA Member No.: 8,476 Region Association: None |
1) unhook the battery. 2) drop the fuse panel in cabin of the car. 3) Make sure the low beam fuse has not blown (fuses 3 and 4) 4) look for a rectangular relay that is held on the fuse panel with a little metal clip, and not the rubber bullet like the other relays. The relay in question will have leads going to fuse 1 and 2 (high beams - white wire) and fuse 3 and 4 (low beams, yellow wire). In the relay, pin 56a is the low beam pin, and will have a yellow wire. Pin F is the high beam pin, and will have a white wire attached to it. 5) replace it. Some beetles use a different relay looking, but the wire diagram on it is the same and it works in place of the stock 914 part. Confirm that you don't have any wires grounding out and plug back in the battery. You will now be able to test the headlights. If they work, unplug the battery again and replace the fuse panel. Zach Thanks! The generous disconnection of the battery is superb advice when working on old electrical systems. |
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