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High Beam problem

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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 09:12 PM
  #1  
Shinamato's Avatar
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High Beam problem

Ive got an 85 Maxima SE 5spd. The problem is when I go to turn on my high beams, the lights just shut off and a dash light for the headlights turns on. I checked all the fuses under the dash, and they're all good, so Im thinking one of the relay's under the hood is bad, but dont know how to check it. If anybody can help me out with this, I'd appreciate it. I kinda LIKE being able to see the road ahead of me at night. =)

-Shin
Old Sep 11, 2002 | 10:50 PM
  #2  
Brendan's Avatar
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Re: High Beam problem

Originally posted by Shinamato
Ive got an 85 Maxima SE 5spd. The problem is when I go to turn on my high beams, the lights just shut off and a dash light for the headlights turns on. I checked all the fuses under the dash, and they're all good, so Im thinking one of the relay's under the hood is bad, but dont know how to check it. If anybody can help me out with this, I'd appreciate it. I kinda LIKE being able to see the road ahead of me at night. =)

-Shin
well my best advice for now is to not use your highbeams but if it's not a relay it may be a short so check wires too. That is definetly an odd situation though
Old Sep 12, 2002 | 10:45 AM
  #3  
MaxWgn's Avatar
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From: West Texas
Re: High Beam problem

Another possibility is the comlumn mounted headlight combo switch. I've already replaced mine once, and it's due for another...

It causes no end of problems with ALL of your lights when it starts to go out.

Currently, on low beam, the only the dr. side bulb lights, and on high, the pa. side only works...and the situation is NOT reversed when I swap the bulbs from left to right.

The first time, if the lights were on, the thrid brake light would stay lit all the time, and when I hit the brake pedal, my headlights would go out completely until I released the brake pedal. The turn signals didn't work, and cornering lights would work sporadically, and if the lights where off, and I hit the brakes, my instrument cluster lights would come on.

When I replaced the switch with a used one from a wrecking yard, all problems went away, and the lights worked ok. Now, they're acting up again....That switch controls a myriad of things.
Old Sep 12, 2002 | 11:07 AM
  #4  
John L's Avatar
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He He

Are you guys sure you're driving Nissans and not MGs
Old Sep 12, 2002 | 05:48 PM
  #5  
Shinamato's Avatar
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Thats a pretty interesting combination of lights and actions! Hope mine doesnt get to that point. But thanks for the advice, and I'll see if I can find one. Will let ya know if it fixes it. Brendan, I already checked all the wiring, nothing looks like its shorting out, but Im pulling most of the dash out tomorrow, so I'll have a chance to check the rest of it. Thanks for the suggestions.

-Shin
Old Sep 13, 2002 | 06:24 AM
  #6  
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If it is the switch, like mine was, I'd recommend buying a new one. I haven't priced one at the dealership yet, but a couple of local houses here have them for about $125.

This is for the entire combo switch, with both stalks, etc...
Old Sep 13, 2002 | 08:53 AM
  #7  
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Ok thanks for the info.

-Shin
Old Oct 3, 2002 | 12:05 PM
  #8  
GundamWZero's Avatar
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 724
From: Ft. Bliss, TX
Re: High Beam problem

Originally posted by Shinamato
Ive got an 85 Maxima SE 5spd. The problem is when I go to turn on my high beams, the lights just shut off and a dash light for the headlights turns on. I checked all the fuses under the dash, and they're all good, so Im thinking one of the relay's under the hood is bad, but dont know how to check it. If anybody can help me out with this, I'd appreciate it. I kinda LIKE being able to see the road ahead of me at night. =)

-Shin
Hey, this is your problem, your turn signal switch! I had the same problem too, so I replaced the turn signal switch and now no more problems!
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