Somebody please diagnose my problem.
02-20-2002, 10:31 PM
#1
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Somebody please diagnose my problem.
I've got it narrowed down to either the headlight relay or the switch on the steering column, I think.
SYMPTOMS:
Headlights don't work.
Fog lights don't work.
High beams don't work.
Parking lights work in both switch positions (parking and headlights on).
Not exactly sure about brake lights.
High beams DO work when I flash them temporarily (by pulling the stalk towards me) but do not work when pushing the stalk towards the front of the car.
Needless to say my headlights went out completely tonight. I checked a few bulbs but they didn't seem to be burnt out. Fuses were fine. I didn't pull the relay as I wasn't sure which one it was or even if I could spot if it was damaged or not. I think funny things are going on with my brake lights as well, hence limiting my assumptions to being electrical vs. just bulb related. Also the high beams working in the one position and not the other. So I'm wondering if it is the switch on the steering column if I can replace it myself or if the wheel needs to be pulled or something and roughly how much that would cost. A relay looks to be about $40 and I know I can do that myself. I've had problems with my lights in the past, but just with bulbs burning out quite frequently and so I'm also wondering if I upgraded to xenons if my problems would go away.
Thanks for any help.
It's a 98.5 with the stock two-piece housings.
SYMPTOMS:
Headlights don't work.
Fog lights don't work.
High beams don't work.
Parking lights work in both switch positions (parking and headlights on).
Not exactly sure about brake lights.
High beams DO work when I flash them temporarily (by pulling the stalk towards me) but do not work when pushing the stalk towards the front of the car.
Needless to say my headlights went out completely tonight. I checked a few bulbs but they didn't seem to be burnt out. Fuses were fine. I didn't pull the relay as I wasn't sure which one it was or even if I could spot if it was damaged or not. I think funny things are going on with my brake lights as well, hence limiting my assumptions to being electrical vs. just bulb related. Also the high beams working in the one position and not the other. So I'm wondering if it is the switch on the steering column if I can replace it myself or if the wheel needs to be pulled or something and roughly how much that would cost. A relay looks to be about $40 and I know I can do that myself. I've had problems with my lights in the past, but just with bulbs burning out quite frequently and so I'm also wondering if I upgraded to xenons if my problems would go away.
Thanks for any help.
It's a 98.5 with the stock two-piece housings.
02-20-2002, 11:18 PM
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Re: Did you use higher wattage bulbs?
Yeah, but those burned out in like a month, so not really. I was using stock bulbs when this happened. All the wires looked fine, but it was dark out and I didn't really look in detail. Let's just say that they did.
02-20-2002, 11:40 PM
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Okay, searched the forums...
Looks to be the headlight switch. I'm going to try to repalce it myself. I have also read posts of it possibly being saved by cleaning away the melted plastic that causes the problem. Anybody have any experience with this?
02-20-2002, 11:43 PM
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Oh yeah, forgot to mention
I wired up some extra fogs a few weeks ago and just piggybacked them on the existing fogs. Equivalent to running higher wattage lights I guess. Doh! How did that whole load resistor thing go again?
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