Headlights won't go down!
04-07-15, 11:19 AM
#1
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Headlights won't go down!
1984 RX7 GSL
My headlights will come up when I turn the headlights on and I am able to put them down the manual way.
I am aware there are threads about this and I have gone through them. I have two other electrical problems and am curious is they might be connected.
I have checked the fuses under the dash and the fusible links as well and they are all fine.
My radio won't turn on and my hazard flashers don't work either.
Could these be the reason the headlights won't go down?
I recently bought the car and this was all present when I bought it.
Thank you!
-Austin
My headlights will come up when I turn the headlights on and I am able to put them down the manual way.
I am aware there are threads about this and I have gone through them. I have two other electrical problems and am curious is they might be connected.
I have checked the fuses under the dash and the fusible links as well and they are all fine.
My radio won't turn on and my hazard flashers don't work either.
Could these be the reason the headlights won't go down?
I recently bought the car and this was all present when I bought it.
Thank you!
-Austin
04-07-15, 12:50 PM
#2
welcome to the board, 
the headlights - so you're saying they don't go down when you turn the lights off?
obviously you should check the main headlight switch first, but also check the switch that you use to raise them for cleaning. i find it sort of odd that you're getting them to stay down with the manual method because everytime i've ever had to use the manual method, i had to unplug the lights for them to stay where i wanted them.
anyway, start with the switches and see where that takes you.
the hazards -
now you'll have to help me out with this one. my '84 rests almost 300 miles away from me, so it's been a while since i've seen it. is the headlight cleaning switch on the same stalk as the hazard switch? all i can remember are there are 4 switches hanging off the end of the dash.
if they are on the same stalk, then you've probably solved two problems right there. if not, check the switch and wherever the harness is grounded. i know you mentioned you checked your fuses and i'm just assuming that you checked all 4 bulbs are there and functional. (stranger things have happened).
the radio -
stock or aftermarket?
the headlights - so you're saying they don't go down when you turn the lights off?
obviously you should check the main headlight switch first, but also check the switch that you use to raise them for cleaning. i find it sort of odd that you're getting them to stay down with the manual method because everytime i've ever had to use the manual method, i had to unplug the lights for them to stay where i wanted them.
anyway, start with the switches and see where that takes you.
the hazards -
now you'll have to help me out with this one. my '84 rests almost 300 miles away from me, so it's been a while since i've seen it. is the headlight cleaning switch on the same stalk as the hazard switch? all i can remember are there are 4 switches hanging off the end of the dash.
if they are on the same stalk, then you've probably solved two problems right there. if not, check the switch and wherever the harness is grounded. i know you mentioned you checked your fuses and i'm just assuming that you checked all 4 bulbs are there and functional. (stranger things have happened
).the radio -
stock or aftermarket?
04-07-15, 01:05 PM
#3
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welcome to the board,
the headlights - so you're saying they don't go down when you turn the lights off?
obviously you should check the main headlight switch first, but also check the switch that you use to raise them for cleaning. i find it sort of odd that you're getting them to stay down with the manual method because everytime i've ever had to use the manual method, i had to unplug the lights for them to stay where i wanted them.
anyway, start with the switches and see where that takes you.
the hazards -
now you'll have to help me out with this one. my '84 rests almost 300 miles away from me, so it's been a while since i've seen it. is the headlight cleaning switch on the same stalk as the hazard switch? all i can remember are there are 4 switches hanging off the end of the dash.
if they are on the same stalk, then you've probably solved two problems right there. if not, check the switch and wherever the harness is grounded. i know you mentioned you checked your fuses and i'm just assuming that you checked all 4 bulbs are there and functional. (stranger things have happened).
the radio -
stock or aftermarket?
the headlights - so you're saying they don't go down when you turn the lights off?
obviously you should check the main headlight switch first, but also check the switch that you use to raise them for cleaning. i find it sort of odd that you're getting them to stay down with the manual method because everytime i've ever had to use the manual method, i had to unplug the lights for them to stay where i wanted them.
anyway, start with the switches and see where that takes you.
the hazards -
now you'll have to help me out with this one. my '84 rests almost 300 miles away from me, so it's been a while since i've seen it. is the headlight cleaning switch on the same stalk as the hazard switch? all i can remember are there are 4 switches hanging off the end of the dash.
if they are on the same stalk, then you've probably solved two problems right there. if not, check the switch and wherever the harness is grounded. i know you mentioned you checked your fuses and i'm just assuming that you checked all 4 bulbs are there and functional. (stranger things have happened
).the radio -
stock or aftermarket?
I'll check the headlight clean switch and the hazards switch since they are on the same stalk.
The radio is stock
-Austin
04-07-15, 02:14 PM
#4
stock radio. okay.
is there any evidence of some previous owner messing with it (aftermarket amps, speakers, etc.)? i would say check the ground for it. if that doesn't work, then unplug it and try "hot-wiring" it just to see if it will come on. at least then you'll know if the radio is just broken.
... and just a thought, i remember some of those old radios had fuses on them. i honestly don't remember if the Rx-7 (what is it? Clarion?) is one of them, but it hurts nothing to take a look.
is there any evidence of some previous owner messing with it (aftermarket amps, speakers, etc.)? i would say check the ground for it. if that doesn't work, then unplug it and try "hot-wiring" it just to see if it will come on. at least then you'll know if the radio is just broken.
... and just a thought, i remember some of those old radios had fuses on them. i honestly don't remember if the Rx-7 (what is it? Clarion?) is one of them, but it hurts nothing to take a look.
04-07-15, 05:11 PM
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stock radio. okay.
is there any evidence of some previous owner messing with it (aftermarket amps, speakers, etc.)? i would say check the ground for it. if that doesn't work, then unplug it and try "hot-wiring" it just to see if it will come on. at least then you'll know if the radio is just broken.
... and just a thought, i remember some of those old radios had fuses on them. i honestly don't remember if the Rx-7 (what is it? Clarion?) is one of them, but it hurts nothing to take a look.
is there any evidence of some previous owner messing with it (aftermarket amps, speakers, etc.)? i would say check the ground for it. if that doesn't work, then unplug it and try "hot-wiring" it just to see if it will come on. at least then you'll know if the radio is just broken.
... and just a thought, i remember some of those old radios had fuses on them. i honestly don't remember if the Rx-7 (what is it? Clarion?) is one of them, but it hurts nothing to take a look.
Still can't figure out the headlight issue though
04-08-15, 05:47 PM
#6
1984 gsl
What is this part called? The two switches left of the steering wheel where the headlamp clean and hazard switches are.
I believe there is a short in mine
The hazards will only work occasionally when pushing this switch and the headlights will sometimes go down and up when pushing the switch but not every time.
Also does anyone know where the wires going into the backs of these switches go? A plugin maybe? It might just be loose in the plugin?
Thank you for the help!
-Austin
What is this part called? The two switches left of the steering wheel where the headlamp clean and hazard switches are.
I believe there is a short in mine
The hazards will only work occasionally when pushing this switch and the headlights will sometimes go down and up when pushing the switch but not every time.
Also does anyone know where the wires going into the backs of these switches go? A plugin maybe? It might just be loose in the plugin?
Thank you for the help!
-Austin
that said, are you referring to the panel with the two switches? if not, you may want to post a photo to go along with your question.
do you have copy of the FSM/Wiring Manual? if not, you should get one. that kind of intermittent functioning leads me to suspect either a loose (or possibly corroded) connection or ground. it really doesn't hurt anything to check. you may even attempt to pull the switch itself apart, given the age and that it's mostly plastic, that proposition is a dice roll at best. you may just need to try finding one from a junkyard or someone parting out a S3.
04-08-15, 06:07 PM
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i copied the post from the new thread you made because this is still a current issue and i didn't see why a NEW thread was necessary. that said, are you referring to the panel with the two switches? if not, you may want to post a photo to go along with your question. do you have copy of the FSM/Wiring Manual? if not, you should get one. that kind of intermittent functioning leads me to suspect either a loose (or possibly corroded) connection or ground. it really doesn't hurt anything to check. you may even attempt to pull the switch itself apart, given the age and that it's mostly plastic, that proposition is a dice roll at best. you may just need to try finding one from a junkyard or someone parting out a S3.
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