Problem with headlight switch
 

Anyone ever have a problem with their headlights not working with the switch? The parking lights work fine in the "parking light" position, but when turned to the "headlight" position, the headlights do not pop up or light up.

I've tried replacing the switch with several known good ones, to no avail. I've even tried the switch in question in other cars, and it works. I finally had to jump the connections between the headlight lift motor and the headlights, so that I can run the headlights by turning the lift switch to the up position.

As I recall (car is in SC, I'm in Iceland), the way it's wired now, you have to have the headlight motor switch in the up position to have the parking lights working. The headlights don't have to be on, though. The headlights only come on if the motor switch is in the up position and the headlight switch is in the "headlight" position.

I didn't have the time to figure this out before I left. I was just wondering if anyone else had the same problem.

This is for my 91 A/T, btw.

Ren

^^^

Nope, mine work both (headlight and popup switch). I think it may have to do with the headlight switch, because obviously the motor and its circuit are fine (since they popup with the popup switch). Sounds like the headlight version of the "wiper switch problem"....:confused:

I agree sounds like a bad headlamp switch. Time to bust it open and fix the contacts

Easy stuff
 

I had the same thing happen to me.. you might wanna check out your harness too. It's a very common problem with RX7. Just go to the junk yard , get a new switch, and harness. By now, your harness is probably fried. Check it out.

-not an rx7 owner anymore, but i still browse the forums.

what about the headlight relays?

Jeez, sorry, folks, I've been rather busy of late (two jobs) and haven't visited the forum much since the beginning of Jan.

Well, it's not the switch, because I've swapped in three known good switches and had the same results. Haven't looked at the harness much, and din't think to change relays. I'll have to try both when I head back home in May. What the hell, it works for now... I still would like to know what causes this. This is the only of my eight FC's ever to have done this. Weird.

Ren

Ren

hey,

i'm having the same problem, i changed the switch with no luck.

i tested everything and its came down to the constant power that comes from the harness into the back of the switch. it's a red wire with no trace. check to see if it has any power. the pop up and down wires are red with yellow trace and red with blue trace from memory. connect power to these to see if they work.

according to the haynes book of shite, the red wire magically makes it to the main (100amp) fuse in the engine bay. i think the closest bet is like GTR said

"By now, your harness is probably fried"

I guess all we can try is replacing the harness.

If u have any luck let me know.

Hmm, good to hear that someone else has experienced this. Makes me feel sane...

I'll have to investigate that further when I get home in May. Thanks for the info.

Ren

Hello I have just joined but have been an owner of an RX7 gen II for ten years I have restored it to a good condition but have now got a problem with the headlights and was hoping that someone could help.
The problem is the lights were working fine but one night on way home they went out, so just had side lights. Now I cant get lights to go down and the relay under the glove box is buzzing i have sourced another relay but it is still buzzing please can any one help many thanks Gary Foreman

Firstly, good on ya for using the search function.

First things first, I do not believe the problem is your headlight switch. Usually it's the other way around; Headlights work fine and you lose the dash and/or side marker and tail lights.


I'd first check the fuse box on the left shock tower. There should be a fuse for headlights and retractor. See if those are blown.

There are also a few relays up front, in front of the radiator that control the headlights.

Do you know how to use a multimeter?