Headlight Not Working, Need Help Determining Cause.

RoninSwanson

RoninSwanson

Test Drive
So my driver side headlight would sporadically stop working, until it finally shiat the bed. every now and then it comes back. I swapped bulbs, it wasn't the bulbs. In the combination switch fog lights, turn signal and high beams all work properly. My guess is its a loose connection somewhere between the combination switch and the socket where the bulb attaches. Is there any way to confirm this before I go and order a new switch?

I've already taken it apart and doused it in elecrtical parts cleaner, to no avail. Every time I try looking at the electrical diagrams in the service manual I get a headache. I'm not kidding.

so, has this happened to anyone else? is there a simple way to identify the fault. Thank you in advance.
 
General_Tarfun

General_Tarfun

Sliders
Location
Atlanta, GA
I'd look at the wiring on that side first in the engine bay before messing with the switch anymore. Just one side having an issue vs both makes me think it's probably not the switch, what you describe almost sounds like a grounding issue.
 
RoninSwanson

RoninSwanson

Test Drive
Okay I'm in desperate need of help now. Grounds are good, socket replaced, combination switch replaced. The power wire gets the same voltage as the wire on the working headlight. I even threw in a brand new bulb just for shiats and giggles, nothing. I disconnected my light bar completely, which was grounding and drawing accessory power of the daytime running lights. Still nothing. I'm at a loss.

OKAY. I need to get better at electrical. The ground E12 was good, but there was no continuity from E12 to the ground wire on the headlamp. so i just soldered a new wire to the ground cable, attached it at E12, and voila! headlight works.

BUT...

I turn the lights off, and now the one headlight stays on. vehicle is off. light switch is off. headlight is still on.
I turn the car on, cycle it on and off. the problem doesn't repeat. I'm mostly frustrated I haven't found the actual problem, like a broken connection somewhere.
 
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kirk

kirk

Butterfly King
Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Allen, Texas
RoninSwanson said:
Okay I'm in desperate need of help now. Grounds are good, socket replaced, combination switch replaced. The power wire gets the same voltage as the wire on the working headlight. I even threw in a brand new bulb just for shiats and giggles, nothing. I disconnected my light bar completely, which was grounding and drawing accessory power of the daytime running lights. Still nothing. I'm at a loss.

OKAY. I need to get better at electrical. The ground E12 was good, but there was no continuity from E12 to the ground wire on the headlamp. so i just soldered a new wire to the ground cable, attached it at E12, and voila! headlight works.

BUT...

I turn the lights off, and now the one headlight stays on. vehicle is off. light switch is off. headlight is still on.
I turn the car on, cycle it on and off. the problem doesn't repeat. I'm mostly frustrated I haven't found the actual problem, like a broken connection somewhere.
Click to expand...


Hmm. Imma tag @Prime in this because he and @Muadeeb are much better at the electrics than I am.
 
Muadeeb

Muadeeb

Nissan al Gaib
Admin
Location
Dallas
OK, wrapping my head around this...

Driver bulb is acting weird, passenger is fine. You mentioned DRL, so I am assuming you're in Canada with the official module. It's sounding like the DRL module is acting up, or has a bad ground. The ground for the left bulb is driven by that module, as is the high beams. Right bulb is mostly driven by the switch, with only the high beams by the module. It gounds through E54, which is below the wiper motor. The DRL module is located near the right lamp and has two connections on it.
 
RoninSwanson

RoninSwanson

Test Drive
Today was WEIRD.

it did it again. i parked and tested it out. in Park, e-brake engaged. car off, ingition in off position, no lights. turned lights on and off, worked fine.

turned car on. worked fine. car in Drive, worked fine. released E-brake, then it stayed on again after turning lights off. in Drive and Park.

Engaged e-brake, still malfunctioned, until i turn the car off.

gonna check E54 when i get home.
 
RoninSwanson

RoninSwanson

Test Drive
Okay E54 was a pretty bad ground, replaced the bolt, much better connection, checked with my multimeter. The light still stays on
 
RoninSwanson

RoninSwanson

Test Drive
Okay, it's my high beam that stays on... Wtf.

This is from the service manual. it describes what I'm experiencing, but doesn't provide a solution.
 

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