wierd headlight issue
09-03-2010, 06:12 AM
#1
wierd headlight issue
So on Monday I was driving back home and I was on the highway. Someone was trying to get into my lane, so I flashed my high beams to let them know that they can change lanes. As soon as I did that maybe 5 seconds later, one of my headlights goes out and both fog lights.
However, when I turned on my high beam, both headlights did turn on. So I got back home that night and inspected the suspected faulty bulb, it seemed ok. I plugged it into the working socket and it turned on. Very wierd. So I took the other bulb and put it into the non working socket and it didnt turn on. So, I took out the lamp relay and fog relay and put them back in, still same issue.
So, I left this issue alone for a few days, I just didn't drive at night, yesterday I decided to take another dive into this problem and so I plugged the bulbs back into their original position, turn on the headlight switch, and everything turns on, even my fogs! This is very wierd, because I didn't do anything to it between Monday and Thursday.
Has this happened to anyone else? Any ideas what might have caused the problem? Thanks
However, when I turned on my high beam, both headlights did turn on. So I got back home that night and inspected the suspected faulty bulb, it seemed ok. I plugged it into the working socket and it turned on. Very wierd. So I took the other bulb and put it into the non working socket and it didnt turn on. So, I took out the lamp relay and fog relay and put them back in, still same issue.
So, I left this issue alone for a few days, I just didn't drive at night, yesterday I decided to take another dive into this problem and so I plugged the bulbs back into their original position, turn on the headlight switch, and everything turns on, even my fogs! This is very wierd, because I didn't do anything to it between Monday and Thursday.
Has this happened to anyone else? Any ideas what might have caused the problem? Thanks
09-04-2010, 11:57 PM
#2
hmm
sounds to me like the harness is either burned or melted.
Have you tried checking that?
Because my harness melted all the time. because of maybe a short to ground.
Check that, then tell us.
Have you tried checking that?
Because my harness melted all the time. because of maybe a short to ground.
Check that, then tell us.
09-05-2010, 08:25 AM
#3
The fog lamps will only turn on when the low beams are being used. The only thing the fog lamps and the headlights have in common is the lighting switch (the stalk). I would suspect that part. The next time the trouble happens try playing around with that switch and see what happens.
09-06-2010, 04:03 PM
#5
Nissan is notorioius for switch stalk problems. You would need to either replace the switch stalk, or take it apart to clean the contacts.
After repairing the problem, I would highly recommend using a relay between the switch stalk and the headlights (both low and high beam).
High current flowing through the contacts on the switch stalk causes carbon build up on the contacts.
After repairing the problem, I would highly recommend using a relay between the switch stalk and the headlights (both low and high beam).
High current flowing through the contacts on the switch stalk causes carbon build up on the contacts.
09-06-2010, 07:34 PM
#6
Nissan is notorioius for switch stalk problems. You would need to either replace the switch stalk, or take it apart to clean the contacts.
After repairing the problem, I would highly recommend using a relay between the switch stalk and the headlights (both low and high beam).
High current flowing through the contacts on the switch stalk causes carbon build up on the contacts.
After repairing the problem, I would highly recommend using a relay between the switch stalk and the headlights (both low and high beam).
High current flowing through the contacts on the switch stalk causes carbon build up on the contacts.
Nissan notorious for this??
09-06-2010, 08:24 PM
#7
Not sure about notorious but he is right, the headlights are power directly through the contacts on the switch stalk whereas the fog lights use a relay.
I could see the contacts going bad after the thousands of times those lights are turned on and off. There is a good deal of current flowing through the stalk. Adding a relay to the headlight circuit is a good idea.
I could see the contacts going bad after the thousands of times those lights are turned on and off. There is a good deal of current flowing through the stalk. Adding a relay to the headlight circuit is a good idea.
09-07-2010, 01:41 AM
#8
You can actually do a test of voltage drop at the headlights before and after the relay install.
Without the relay (OEM), there is a large voltage drop at the headlights (I think if you measured with a voltmeter, you should read around 9Vdc). If you use a relay and the appropriate size wiring, you should see a very small voltage drop (measure around 12Vdc).
Another reason why you should install a relay!
For those of you who do not know how to wire a relay, you can buy a Pilot brand headlight relay harness (super simple install).
Without the relay (OEM), there is a large voltage drop at the headlights (I think if you measured with a voltmeter, you should read around 9Vdc). If you use a relay and the appropriate size wiring, you should see a very small voltage drop (measure around 12Vdc).
Another reason why you should install a relay!
For those of you who do not know how to wire a relay, you can buy a Pilot brand headlight relay harness (super simple install).
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