MicahMan

i have a 83 gsl and my headlights only work if i hold back the lever, which are my brights. im tired of sticking a 30 amp fuse box in the colum to make the lights stay on at night. i checked my wiring and it all seems to be fine.i am wondering if it might be the switch. but my driving lights all go on and work but my head lights just dont want to work. the lights go up and down fine with the switch. my dims and brights dont work on the switch, unless i hold the lever back then my brights work. is there some way i can take the switch off and clean the contacts or is it something else? i need some help on this one.

Micah

nipper

I am having the exact same trouble on one of my RX-7s as well!!!
I strongly suspect the light switching mechanism on the steering column is the culprit but haven't gotten around to figuring it out yet.
I hope somebody on this forum can assist us.

peejay

It's the switch.

Pull it off, clean all the contacts (assuming there's nothing melted/burned through), reassemble, enjoy.

MicahMan

ya but how do you take it apart. it is so small and hard to get to. im ready to break it off im so pissed at it.

r0tary noob

get the fsm or the haynes, they should show you how, oh and get a steeringwheel puller, ive pulled one by hand and when the splines let loose it hit me in the chest and knocked the wind out of me, this was on a sentra and everything else on these cars it tighter, cant hurt

crazyinkc

Peejay's right. I had the same problem. I took the headlight switch apart(watch out for the 2 ***** and springs), cleaned all the contacts with 400 grit sandpapaer and put it back together and it works great.

Illswyn

Interesting. My regular lights work, but my high beams only work if I pull back on the switch. Pushing forward turns my lights off...which was quite scary the first time I tried it.

MicahMan

ok good tips, ill go do that tonight and see if it works. thanks

peejay

That's definitely in the switch. There is only one wire for the high beams. If you look at the innards of the headlight switch, you'll see that there are two sets of contacts that go to that wire, one for when the switch is forwards, one for when it's back.

MicahMan

ok i took my steeringwheel off and removed the switch and cleaned all the contacts. i have lights once again. it now works. i sugest you do the same NIPPER.