faulty headlamps

[ssmog]

No mod's. etc. needed. I just need headlights. When I turn my headlamps on using the switch my marker lights come on but no headlights, if I pull the switch to activate the high beams as though I were flashing them the high beams do work but that's it. I have checked the switch, fuse, relay tucked in beside the passenger side kick panel, wiring and even the bulbs work, I know this because my day time running lights still work. I have power going to the fuse, power coming out of the fuse block but still no headlamps. Is there a fusable link or extra module I might want to check? I noticed there's a module fastened to the drivers front strut tower, also 4 individual relays covered in rubber fastened to the passenger side strut tower. Does anybody have any idea what the module and relays might be for or if there's a fusable link I should look for? Help!!!!!!!!!! I'm ready to call the insirance company telling them my car accidentally blew up when I lit the rag hanging out of my gas tank.

[mx3frik]

Originally posted by ssmog:
I noticed there's a module fastened to the drivers front strut tower, also 4 individual relays covered in rubber fastened to the passenger side strut tower. Does anybody have any idea what the module and relays might be for or if there's a fusable link I should look for? Help!!!!!!

Hey it's not time to panic yet, I'm sure other peeps on the list and I will work through this together.

First to explain the modules you saw on the driver side, if it looks somthing like a heatsink, it is, and that would be the power resistor for the daytime runners and shouldn't affect your low beam.

I don't have the wiring diagram handy atm (I'll check more when I get home)

One thing I can think of off the top of my head is the main fuse to the headlight circuit in the engine bay. Stay on the driver side of the engnine bay, look just a bit in front of the battery there are a couple black boxes with stickers on them. Pop the big one open and check with the sticker to find the position of the fuse "HEAD". You can look through the window of the fuse to see if it's broken. If that's it it'll be a quick fix, if not I'll have to get back to my diagram in the evening.

Let us know,

Eugene

[ssmog]

The fuse was the very first thing I had checked, then the bulbs themselves, basically a process of elimination but without the eliminating. Today I replaced the main switch, entire switch assembly behind the steering wheel and still no go, I stipped every wire harness to check for break, etc, no prob. there. The relay on the pass. side kick panel is operating fine, sockets are all good and check out according to my testers. What I did finally do just as a temp. fix was hard wire the headlamps and marker lights to the battery with an inline fuse, grounded accordingly, also inserted two inline relays (one for the markers and one for the headlamps) then hooked an inductive pick up to the tach. wire coming from the dist. so that they come on automatically when the motor is running and shut off 5 seconds after I shut the car down, basically I have it now set up the same as the '03 Maxima is.....except that it just gives me markers and low beams, for highbeams I can also hardwire an aux. push button switch neatly placed somewhere close to the column. That is if I can't get it resolved before hand....I learned though not to listen to the damned dealer...That dumb as*** cluster F*** said it was the switch, after buying a new one I learned it was not and of course it's a non refundable electrical part.Yeah....... I'll be sure to keep checking back in if anybody has any suggestions. Thanks a million Eugene.

<small>[ June 22, 2004, 09:08 PM: Message edited by: ssmog ]</small>

[mx3frik]

Heh sorry when you said you checked the fuses I was thinking of the driver side little box only. The relay on the passenger side kick panel are for DRL's too

So you have the "flash-to-pass" high beam, no low beam when you flick the switch to headlights...how about regular high beam? (headlights on and level pushed forward)?

Did you check if there was power going to the headlight harness? The thing is both your flash to pass and daytime runners use the highbeam filament, so if there was a crazy coincidence and miracle maybe both your bulbs low beams went?

Still gotta check diagram.....sorry was distracted with things after I got home.

Good temp fix at least you can drive at night now

Eugene

[ssmog]

No high beams either unless I use the flash to pass. I have power going to the switch, from the switch to the fuse block under the hood and power from the fuse block but no power when I test the sockets themselves. It just doesn't make sense. I can't help but think of that phrase "needles in a hay stack" except in this case I think I'll find the needle before I get this figured out. What a way to spend vacation. lol

<small>[ June 23, 2004, 11:37 AM: Message edited by: ssmog ]</small>

[mx3frik]

Scanned diagram

Hope this helps. I didn't scan the diagrams with where things are, the "headlight relay" is the 3rd one in the row of 5 relays under the dash above the clutch pedal (or where it would be). The "combination switch" can be tested on a big harness under the steering column.

So you said you have power into the fuse (HEAD), into the switch, but not the headlights and given that you've gotten a new switch, I'd say the headlight relay is the primary suspect (not switching on).

Good luck and lemme know how things turn out or get back to us and we'll work on it more

Eugene

[mx3frik]

any luck?

[ssmog]

No luck yet....I am going to pick up a new relay for headlamps to see how that works.