Headlights going off

[dom14]

Hey guys,
I have a strange problem with headlights I'm having trouble with finding the cause of it.
It's an RB30 Patrol.
I had drive lights professionally wired couple of years ago with a separate switch.
So, with the drive lights switch on, drive lights only come on when I switch to high beam.

Now, here is the problem(not sure whether it's related to drive lights or not).
Right side headlight doesn't come on some time. Initially I thought the globe was gone and replaced it with a new one(which apparently worked). Now, I'm pretty sure the globe wasn't gone and I've thrown off a good globe.
What happens is that while the right side headlights doesn't come on(low beam), the high beam indicator on the dashboard comes on(but the high beam is not on). Even if I switch to high beam, still the right side head light doesn't come on. Whether the switch is at high beam or low beam position, the high beam indicator on the dash board stays on.

When I turn off/on the lights or turn off the engine and restart, the problem fixes itself most of the time, then comes back when ever it feels like it. Switching the drive lights switch on/off doesn't fix the problem.

I'm pretty sure somebody must have experienced a similar scenario like this out there, and I'm pretty sure electrical gurus out there in the forum can help me with this.

If you can give me few tips, where to locate the problem or where to start with, that would be really appreciated.

[threedogs]

do you have HID head lights

[Yendor]

You have an earth issue at the Right hand side headlight. It could be a loose/burnt pin in the plug that connects to the headlight bulb or a break in the earth wire to the plug.

[the evil twin]

If the earth and plug is OK it will be the headlight switch on the stalk on the steering column.
They get all grubby and carboned up which is why it comes good when you cycle the switch.
Pull it apart and give it a clean

[dom14]

do you have HID head lights

No mate, they are standard old school headlights. Drive lights are the same.

[dom14]

If the earth and plug is OK it will be the headlight switch on the stalk on the steering column.
They get all grubby and carboned up which is why it comes good when you cycle the switch.
Pull it apart and give it a clean

I'm still confused about the high beam indicator on the dash board coming on when this happens(on low beam). How does that happen?
It's the high beam indicator that comes on, not the high beam itself.

[dom14]

I'll start with cleaning the plug on right side headlight. Then I'll get to the high-low switch inside the car next. But, I'm still confused about the dash board high beam indicator coming on when the high beam isn't on.

[4bye4]

I'm still confused about the high beam indicator on the dash board coming on when this happens(on low beam). How does that happen?
It's the high beam indicator that comes on, not the high beam itself.

If it's what yendor suggested, a bad earth, then the powered circuit will find a way to earth, maybe through the high beam globe. When you have earth problems, the lights don't mean anything, they just become a convenient way to earth. Take a look at the number of trailers around with bad earths, the left indicator makes the right reverse light come on and the brake lights flash. It has nothing to do with the brake lights or the reverse light, it is just a convenient path to earth.

[the evil twin]

Because of the bad earth the low beam 12 volts is finding its way to earth thru the high beam filament and then the hi beam indicator.
There isn't enough current to illuminate the Headlamp (at least to the naked eye).

Do what Rodney said first... only do the switch if it doesn't fix it or you want to clean it anyway.

Upgrading teh headlamp loom and fitting relays is also a big help and will give you better lighting
You can get kits (over priced IMHO) or DIY if you know how to wire a set of spotties for example

[Yendor]

What they said :)

[4bye4]

I agree with everybody else and myself.

[the evil twin]

X2 ^^^^^

rofl...

[dom14]

Because of the bad earth the low beam 12 volts is finding its way to earth thru the high beam filament and then the hi beam indicator.
There isn't enough current to illuminate the Headlamp (at least to the naked eye).

Do what Rodney said first... only do the switch if it doesn't fix it or you want to clean it anyway.

Upgrading teh headlamp loom and fitting relays is also a big help and will give you better lighting
You can get kits (over priced IMHO) or DIY if you know how to wire a set of spotties for example

Thanks mate. I thought the headlights already should be factory wired with relays(apparently there's a one for that inside the relay box, I need to check it again)
The drive lights were done by an auto electrician, so I would like to think he wired them with a separate relay?
Upgrading the headlamp wire loom is a big DIY job for me, but I think I can do it if necessary.

[dom14]

I agree with everybody else and myself.

Me too. ;)

[the evil twin]

snip... I thought the headlights already should be factory wired with relays(apparently there's a one for that inside the relay box, I need to check it again)


Cunning buggers that Nissan mob... when it comes to Relay Boxes, what it says on the outside, isn't necessarily what is on the inside.

[dom14]

I'm thinking about getting hold of a pair of LED drive lights. Apparently, they are so low powered, they probably don't need relays?!

[dom14]

Cunning buggers that Nissan mob... when it comes to Relay Boxes, what it says on the outside, isn't necessarily what is on the inside.

Ok, cool. That explains the reason for rewiring the loom with a brand new relay.

[4bye4]

Dom14, i remember you had some issues with your gas system a while back. Was that electrical related? It might be worth your while to arm yourself with a wire brush, a can of WD40, a screwdriver and spanner, and spend a couple of hours looking for corrosion, loose earths, loose plugs and broken wires.

[dom14]

Dom14, i remember you had some issues with your gas system a while back. Was that electrical related? It might be worth your while to arm yourself with a wire brush, a can of WD40, a screwdriver and spanner, and spend a couple of hours looking for corrosion, loose earths, loose plugs and broken wires.

Hi mate, yes, the part of the problem was electrical. Back then, I did what you just mentioned. I cleaned the connectors/wires related to LPG system as much as I could. One of the problem was bad earth from the LPG safety switch. I remember you advising me that most of the LPG issues aren't plumbing or mechanical issues, but electrical. I had to replace the LPG converter eventually, when it completely died.
I was using carby cleaner rather than WD40, last time. I'll use WD40 this time. Obviously better for cutting through corrosive gunk. I just cleaned the plug and connectors on the headlamp(right) holder. Not sure whether it fixed it though, 'cos the problem only appears when it feels like it. I'm going to open up the headlight switch and clean and lube it anyway.

[dom14]

Hey Guys,
As usual, Yendor the wiz is spot on with the diagnosis & saved my butt from lot of trouble. :smiley_thumbs_up:
It was exactly as Yendor described, an earth issue of the right hand side head light globe plug.
Head light switch inside the car is still in good nick(as well as the globe I've thrown away the first time when I "fixed" the problem)
thanks guys.

[Yendor]

Hey Guys,
As usual, Yendor the wiz is spot on with the diagnosis & saved my butt from lot of trouble. :smiley_thumbs_up:
It was exactly as Yendor described, an earth issue of the right hand side head light globe plug.
Head light switch inside the car is still in good nick(as well as the globe I've thrown away the first time when I "fixed" the problem)
thanks guys.

Hi mate,

As much as I would like to take the credit (insert head swelling here :biggrin:) it was you that did all the work.

It was your diagnosis/observation that enabled us to state what the fault was. Without this line in your first post

"What happens is that while the right side headlights doesn't come on(low beam), the high beam indicator on the dashboard comes on(but the high beam is not on). Even if I switch to high beam, still the right side head light doesn't come on. Whether the switch is at high beam or low beam position, the high beam indicator on the dash board stays on."

we all would of just been guessing.

So you receive the usual reward of a choccy frog. Just don't let ET anywhere near it..LOL

Cheers Rodney

[dom14]

Hi mate,

As much as I would like to take the credit (insert head swelling here :biggrin:) it was you that did all the work.

It was your diagnosis/observation that enabled us to state what the fault was. Without this line in your first post

"What happens is that while the right side headlights doesn't come on(low beam), the high beam indicator on the dashboard comes on(but the high beam is not on). Even if I switch to high beam, still the right side head light doesn't come on. Whether the switch is at high beam or low beam position, the high beam indicator on the dash board stays on."

we all would of just been guessing.

So you receive the usual reward of a choccy frog. Just don't let ET anywhere near it..LOL

Cheers Rodney

Thanks Rodney.
Ok, I take the credit for observation(rather the clear expression of it). But, you must take the credit for the diagnosis or else I may have to leave a six pack of stubbies on the hood of your fourby. :clapping:
Mind me, I may take one stubby out of the six pack for my trouble.:Yahoo!:
:cheers:
Dom

[Yendor]

hahaha.. I'm more then happy to help anyone drink their beer.

[dom14]

hahaha.. I'm more then happy to help anyone drink their beer.

Hey Rodney,
The only problem is that you're only few thousand kilometers away from my location.
I think it's cheaper for me have it delivered to you while I'm having a stubby here.
:1087:
:thumbup: