headlight and fan problems

[Mrs Ronnieh]

Hi All
Have a headlight problem-- changed bulbs because one headlight would not work on high beam. Now have same problem.???

Yesterday noticed thermo fan had stayed on after turning off ignition. disconnected it.

Have checked and when you turn key on there is a clicking noise under hood. Would this be relay for headlights. ???

All help appreciated

Ronnie

[nissannewby]

Your bulb problem could be a dodgy plug which will cause these sorts of issues. Does the thermo come on when you turn the key t ignition? With the clicking need some more info petrol or diesel etc as there a glow relays which will click in a diesel.

[Mrs Ronnieh]

Hi
It is a Petrol 1989 gq. I changed the plug and both head lamps. We also have no driving lights so am thinking it is the relay. I need to take the washer bottle out so i can see in there properly and i did notice when i changed the headlamp there are alot of wires that have been bound with tape and old looking so it may be worth me taking it off and having a look. it could just be a loose connection somewhere.
They are my thoughts anyway.
I just went out and reconnected the fan wires and it did not come on. Hubby can take it for a run abit later just to see if the fan comes on or stays on. The connector is abit brittle so most likely needs replacing also.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks
Ronnie

[nissannewby]

Its most likely a dodgy connection if it was a relay to do with the lights you would have all of one and none of the other eg all low beam and no high beam and its only one high so its more than likely a connection issue.

[Yendor]

Hi Ronnie,

The GQs don't have factory fitted headlight relays.

It is possible that someone may have fitted some to your lights but these should not be turning on when you turn the key on.

Double check the wires and connections at the headlight bulbs.

You didn't say what side the high beam wasn't working on, if it is the the driver side light check for power in the Red with a Green trace wire (with high beam on), if it is the passenger side check for power in the Red with a Black trace wire.

If you don't have power in that wire and the connections are ok the next most likely cause is the head light switch. It's pretty common for the contacts to wear. You can either replace the switch or pull it apart and clean and adjust the contacts.

Does the high beam warning light in the dash work?

The thermo fan staying could be a faulty relay or a back feed problem causing the relay to stay on.

[gdivall]

Hi all,

I had a similar set of symptoms in my 1991 GQ with my high beam lights, only one would come one and the other would turn off totally, when you flicked the high-beam leaver. After swapping lights still a problem on the same side (so eliminated issue with bulbs).

Anyway after a long day tracing wiring etc my problem was in the multi-switch (RHS of Steering wheel) that controls lights and high beam etc. Removed it from the car (which involves removing the steering wheel) and cleaning the connectors with sand paper, replaced it and all good now like magic !!!

Greg

[MQ MAD]

Anyway after a long day tracing wiring etc my problem was in the multi-switch (RHS of Steering wheel) that controls lights and high beam etc. Removed it from the car (which involves removing the steering wheel) and cleaning the connectors with sand paper, replaced it and all good now like magic !!!

Greg

This would be were to look first
The light combo switches play up on all patrols, the MQ/MKs as well
Take the combo switch out and give it a good clean
The additional wires comin of your headlights could be a previous power source for spotties
The thermo fan set up, depends how its wired up, as its not factory set up
But dont go driving too far or too long without some fan working, alloy heads hate too much heat and crack

[td42shayne]

my right hand hibeam never used to work went to wreckers and bought pulsar n 14 or 15 not sure whole blinker headlight switch $20 dollars all fixed 10 minutes later

[Headhoncho67]

I have headlights - but when I switch to high beam - I lose all headlights - low & high.
(1989 GQ) Does this sound like the headlight relay? Is it easy to change?

[the evil twin]

I have headlights - but when I switch to high beam - I lose all headlights - low & high.
(1989 GQ) Does this sound like the headlight relay? Is it easy to change?

No, because (as mentioned several times in the posts above) if you truck is factory you don't have a head light relay (which makes them extremely easy to change)

99% of the time It will be a problem in your stalk switch so check/clean/replace that first

[Headhoncho67]

I "cleaned" it - it's worse.........
I have a replacement on its way.

[the evil twin]

I "cleaned" it - it's worse.........
I have a replacement on its way.

It's a good idea to fit relays as well.
That stops the high current thru the stalk switch and also gives you better light output.
Reasonably simple job and if you don't want to wire it yourself there are "plug and play" kits on Ebay etc altho they are a tad dear IMHO

[Headhoncho67]

I might need to do that - got the replacement switch - it's doing the exact same thing.

No power to the LHS light at all - when on high beam - lost all lights.

Time to start tracing the break...............

[Yendor]

Have you checked for blown bulbs?

When you turn on high beam does the high beam warning light come on in the dash?

[Headhoncho67]

I replaced the LHS sealed unit at first as I though that may be the initial issue. Didn't work.
I read on here about the switch, cleaned & replaced it - still the same.

Blue warning light on dash does come on - both when indicator stalk is pulled in & pushed out.

Indicators work too.

[Yendor]

The RHS light not working on high beam but works on low beam is more then likely a blown bulb. The high beam warning light working in the dash tells me that power is getting through the switch. Try plugging in the new light.

The LHS could be a blown fuse. They run two fuses, one for the RHS and one for the LHS. Check the headlight fuses, there in the fuse box inside the vehicle. Check that the fuses haven't started to melt in the fuse holder and the wiring running to the fuse box hasn't started to burn.

[Headhoncho67]

Fuses seem ok - I might replace them just in case.
No evidence of melting that I can see - good news!

I've put the new globe in with no result on the LHS. I'll swap it with the RHS tomorrow & see what happens.

Thank - I really appreciate the help - it's doing my head in!

[Yendor]

Check that you have power both sides of the fuse. If you still have the old LHS light try plugging that into the RHS.

If not, with a test light or voltmeter check if you have power in the Red wire with a Green trace in the RHS headlight plug with high beam turned on.

[Headhoncho67]

It's fixed!

I replaced both headlights with new sealed beam units.
Replaced all fuses - gave the terminals a bit of a wipe over with some sandpaper.
It took a bit f pressure with the multi metre to get a reading on the positive terminals - hence the sandpaper.
Not sure exactly what it was - but I think it had something to do with the fuses/connections.

Thanks for your help!!