Headlights don't pop up!, Headlights not working - relay? Options

[Moose01]

Guys,

My headlights are not working, i.e they are not popping up. I have fogs. Would it be the relay? Any ideas before I start pulling relays etc. The fuses are all good!

Chris

[mgphoto]

Guys,

My headlights are not working, i.e they are not popping up. I have fogs. Would it be the relay? Any ideas before I start pulling relays etc. The fuses are all good!

Chris

Chris,
There is a small knob on the headlight motor, turn it, clockwise, I think, and see if the motor cycles.
If you turn the knob the wrong way it will loosen.

Watch your fingers, when the motor cycles quickly.
If it doesn't cycle could be power issue.
Misaligned relays could be the issue.

[jim_hoyland]

Also, look at the small diodes. They can come loose and prevent the motor from operating. They are small and kinda hidden by what looks like black tape; lower outside of each motor.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-643-1523148624.jpeg)

[marksteinhilber]

If the fuse is good:
1. turn the knob on the motor just as Jim said. If it kicks on and cycles the headlight to the up position, or if up already, to the down position, then you know the motor is okay and there is power to the front by the relay. It also suggests that the local ground up there on the body is good, but those could always use cleaning/maintenance. If turning the knob does not kick on the motor, then you may need to check for voltage reaching the front of the car and may indicate a problem with the headlight switch.
2. Try swapping in a known good round standard relay inside the front trunk next to the headlight motor with switch off. Turn the headlight switch on and see if that one headlight comes up. Both side relays usually don't fail at once.
3. Go back and re-check what you think is a good fuse, clean the fuse block terminals and put in a new fuse. Ask me how I know....
4. Check for a loose wire on the back of the fuse panel or on the switch, especially if someone was working under the dash. Ask me how I know....
5. If all fails, post your efforts and ask for new suggestions, and repeat. Ask me how I know...

[Dave_Darling]

There is one relay on each headlight motor. So chances are that both staying down is not a relay issue. You can try to verify by swapping the headlight motor relays (they're right next to the headlights) with some of the relays on the relay board in the engine bay.

It's much more likely to be something in the wiring or the switch. Most other things would only affect a single light.

--DD

[SirAndy]

Watch your fingers

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[Moose01]

I am pretty sure it is the headlight switch, which is behind the dash face panel. If I pull the switch out the parking lights come on at the half way point. However when fully out the headlights do not come on and they do not pop up. I changed the relays at the lights, and the fuse, although it looked good.

Any ideas on where to get a new switch at a decent price?

[Dr Evil]

I am pretty sure it is the headlight switch, which is behind the dash face panel. If I pull the switch out the parking lights come on at the half way point. However when fully out the headlights do not come on and they do not pop up. I changed the relays at the lights, and the fuse, although it looked good.

Any ideas on where to get a new switch at a decent price?

Classifieds on this forum. Lots of good used ones in peoples stashes.

[Geezer914]

My Dad had a saying "if it's broke, take it apart and see why, you can't F__k it up any worse and maybe you can fix it" I have taken the headlight switch apart and cleaned the contacts and it worked.

[toolguy]

Headlight UP function is terminal "K" of the headlight switch [gray wire]. The headlights pop up on position 1 [parking lights] but does not illuminate the bulbs until position 2.
Headlight DOWN is the green/blk wire on terminal 30b

As a test if the switch terminal K is bad, try moving the Gray wire from K to terminal 56, which will delay the headlights pop up to when switch is in Position 2.

[Dave_Darling]

If you want to know what the inside of a headlight switch looks like, here you go:

https://members.rennlist.com/pbanders/headl...h_internals.htm

Courtesy of Brad Anders, of D-jet Bible fame.

--DD

[Moose01]

Fantastic help guys! That is what I needed.

[marksteinhilber]

internal switch cleaning described above may do the trick! I had a problem where one of the headlights would not go up and down without giving it a little help spinning the knob on the motor. I removed the motor to the workbench and opened up the gearbox that the wires go into. There are contacts inside there for limit switches. I found old grease and weak spring tension on some contacts. I cleaned and regreased the contacts and that restored proper function.

[Moose01]

So much for it being the switch. I managed to find a used one on fleabay, replaced it and it was more of the same. Then put the old one back in and I had lights, but still no pop up action. Obviously a wiring issue now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Anyone need a good used switch (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Mark Henry]

I imagine you did this but the first thing I try is spinning the fuses in the fuse block, then cleaning the grounds...

[ClayPerrine]

I am gonna ask a really stupid question...


When you are testing this, is the key in the run position? If the engine is not running, or the key in the on position, the headlights won't come up.

If the key is on, check the right most fuse in the fuse block. If it looks OK, take it out and clean the contacts on the fuse box, and replace the fuse.