2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Headlight problem

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Old Dec 13, 2003 | 01:18 PM
  #1  
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From: Columbia, SC
Headlight problem

This is opposite of the normal problem. My tail lights come on fine, and my headlights do not.

Ive checked both ends of the harness and the switch and they are fine. The illum fuse is fine.

Oddly enough when i turn the headlight switch, the high beam light comes on. When i flick the high beam switch nothing happens.

Any suggestions? I search the archives and 2gen and found nothing like this.

Thanks!

Last edited by tabularasa; Dec 13, 2003 at 01:23 PM.
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Old Dec 13, 2003 | 06:34 PM
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From: walla walla washington
mine does the same thing everything works but the headlights don't turn on. i've tryed everthing and can't figure it out either
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Old Dec 14, 2003 | 06:29 PM
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Re: Headlight problem

Originally posted by tabularasa
This is opposite of the normal problem. My tail lights come on fine, and my headlights do not.

Ive checked both ends of the harness and the switch and they are fine. The illum fuse is fine.

Oddly enough when i turn the headlight switch, the high beam light comes on. When i flick the high beam switch nothing happens.

Any suggestions? I search the archives and 2gen and found nothing like this.

Thanks!
I've had a similar problem with the headlights on my '90 GXL. This has been the first headlight electrical problem that I've had with this car since I bought it in December 1989. The problem started out gradually and then got worse. Initially, one headlight appeared dimmer than the other. After several nights like this, the other headlight would appear dimmer, and so on. After a couple months, the low beams went out completely, but the high beams still worked. Finally, one night I had no headlights at all. Fortunately for me, the fog lights worked fine while the hedalights were out. Last weekend, I went to troubleshoot this problem and found that the wiring harness at the headlight switch had melted at one connection, and the connectors for each headlight had also melted at the ground plug. I replaced the headlight switch, the harness section for the headlight switch, the pigtails at the headlights, and the headlight bulbs. The headlights now are working fine after doing that fix.

Hot_Dog
90 RX7 GXL
02 Acura RSX-S
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Old Dec 14, 2003 | 06:50 PM
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From: St. Augustine
When I first got my car, my tails would work fine or my headlights alone would work fine. I changed my switch and everything works perectly now. I'd start with that, or the next thing I would do is to change your blinker/dimmer switch. I drove an 84 ford pickup and its highs would work and lows wouldn't and chaning the dimmer switched fixed it.
You may be able to resolder them, but I don't know where you'd get a diagram other than a manual.
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Old Dec 15, 2003 | 09:14 AM
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From: Columbia, SC
Im thinking its the Headlight Relay, but im not an electrician and dont know how to test it.
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Old Dec 15, 2003 | 09:25 AM
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Re: Re: Headlight problem

Originally posted by Hot_Dog
I went to troubleshoot this problem and found that the wiring harness at the headlight switch had melted at one connection, and the connectors for each headlight had also melted at the ground plug. I replaced the headlight switch, the harness section for the headlight switch,
Yeah, i had this problem before, so i now have a new headlight switch and harness... This is NOT the problem.
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Old Dec 15, 2003 | 10:59 AM
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From: Orange Park FL (near Jax)
Check the headlight to battery ground circuit.
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Old Dec 15, 2003 | 11:12 AM
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From: Belpre, Ohio
Usually when one headlight goes dim or they both do, its either a positive or negative problem. start with grounds because they're usually easier to chase being shorter, but if that doesn't work, try cleaning battery terminals and that sorta thing... speaking of which, my battery terminals need brushed... but its sooo cold.
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Old Dec 16, 2003 | 10:31 AM
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From: Columbia, SC
Its not the battery terminals or a ground issue. I read this post and it seems to be the same problem but no one posted a resolution.


Is there a way to test the relay, and where is it?

Thanks!
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