Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: cav58d on December 12, 2007, 03:36:27 PM

Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: cav58d on December 12, 2007, 03:36:27 PM
I'm hoping someone on here can help me out so I don't have to bring my car into the shop...

Today I get in my car and go to turn on my headlights, and they won't turn on...I messed around with the switch and put it in every which position, and they just wont go on...

I don't think it has anything to do with the lights though...When I click my electronic unlock/lock switch on my keychain, the head lights will flash....Furthermore, I am able to get the high beams on by holding the switching in the back position, however, it wont click and lock into the high beam position like its supposed to....

any ideas?
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: Eagler on December 12, 2007, 03:39:41 PM
bad switch?
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: Masherbrum on December 12, 2007, 03:41:23 PM
Either a switch, or possibly a blown fuse.   Yes, sometimes blown fuses do funky things.  

Sounds like your switch is shot, as Eagler stated though.
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: SPKmes on December 12, 2007, 03:43:06 PM
sounds like the lighting relay. Find this usually under the bonnet. High beam won't stay on if your lights aren't on.
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: AWMac on December 12, 2007, 03:44:53 PM
Pffffft.....

Do you still have the box that your car came in.......?

:D

Mac
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: SPKmes on December 12, 2007, 03:47:14 PM
You will need a fluke ( tester of current and flow ) so you can either take this to an auto sparks or take your car there most guys would just test for nothing.
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: cav58d on December 12, 2007, 03:51:33 PM
I thought it could be the overvoltage relay, but i've checked fuses and they are all fine.
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: SPKmes on December 12, 2007, 03:56:18 PM
It's not a fuse,  It is a little black box and you cant tell by looking at it , if it is good or not. Unless of coarse it has burnt.  in with all the engine relays.
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: AWMac on December 12, 2007, 03:58:09 PM
Quote
Originally posted by SPKmes
You will need a fluke ( tester of current and flow ) so you can either take this to an auto sparks or take your car there most guys would just test for nothing.


Auto Sparks Mechanic:  "We have tested your car and found Nothing."

cav58d: "Is that serious?"

Auto Sparks Mechanic:  "Yes it IS serious, If we had tested for Nothing and found Something then you would know that Something is wrong with your car. We tested your car for Nothing."

cav58d: "But when you turned on the headlights what happened?"

Auto Sparks Mechanic: "Nothing. The test was successful."

:O

Mac
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: SPKmes on December 12, 2007, 04:04:30 PM
Quote
Originally posted by AWMac
Auto Sparks Mechanic:  "We have tested your car and found Nothing."

cav58d: "Is that serious?"

Auto Sparks Mechanic:  "Yes it IS serious, If we had tested for Nothing and found Something then you would know that Something is wrong with your car. We tested your car for Nothing."

cav58d: "But when you turned on the headlights what happened?"

Auto Sparks Mechanic: "Nothing. The test was successful."

:O

Mac


Nice play.:lol :rofl
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: AWMac on December 12, 2007, 04:07:52 PM
Quote
Originally posted by SPKmes
Nice play.:lol :rofl


I try sometimes....

:p

Mac


"Who's on First?"
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: MiloMorai on December 12, 2007, 04:11:54 PM
Quote
Originally posted by SPKmes
You will need a fluke ( tester of current and flow ) so you can either take this to an auto sparks or take your car there most guys would just test for nothing.

A Fluke is just the name of a multi meter manufacturer.
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: john9001 on December 12, 2007, 04:15:32 PM
take it to the shop, mechanics have to make a living also.

if it was easy, anybody could fix it.
----------------------
retired auto tech.
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: AWMac on December 12, 2007, 04:16:07 PM
Quote
Originally posted by MiloMorai
A Fluke is just the name of a multi meter manufacturer.


What???

I fished for Fluke in New Jersey. You can't test crap with a Flounder!

Maybe I was just holding it wrong?

Wait a minute....... so if they said there was a fluke in the system during testing there is where the problem is!!!

Remove the Flounder from the headlights.  Taaaa Dah problem solved!

Next!

:huh

Mac
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: SteveBailey on December 12, 2007, 04:21:02 PM
Headlights often do not have a relay. This really sounds like a bad switch/ loose wire. Test the circuit, pull the switch for a visual inspection.
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: Golfer on December 12, 2007, 04:26:22 PM
You didn't leave your parking brake on did you?
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: SPKmes on December 12, 2007, 04:26:54 PM
Quote
Originally posted by MiloMorai
A Fluke is just the name of a multi meter manufacturer.


Aye, but ask a sparky what the name of a yellow multimeter is and most will say.
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: MiloMorai on December 12, 2007, 04:31:21 PM
Quote
Originally posted by AWMac
What???

I fished for Fluke in New Jersey. You can't test crap with a Flounder!

Maybe I was just holding it wrong?

Wait a minute....... so if they said there was a fluke in the system during testing there is where the problem is!!!

Remove the Flounder from the headlights.  Taaaa Dah problem solved!

Next!

:huh

Mac
Well then maybe you were holding your fluke wrong. :eek:  :rofl
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: AWMac on December 12, 2007, 04:39:42 PM
Quote
Originally posted by MiloMorai
Well then maybe you were holding your fluke wrong. :eek:  :rofl

Both eyes on one side facing up right?

Ohhhh Noes, my Ex was a Fluke!!!!

:O

Mac

Friggin Bottom Dweller
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: Airscrew on December 12, 2007, 04:41:11 PM
I heard Mac knows how to play the fluke...:cool:  

or was that he plays with his fluke...
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: AWMac on December 12, 2007, 04:42:39 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Airscrew
I heard Mac knows how to play the fluke...:cool:  

or was that he plays with his fluke...


You are a Sick Lil Man.....

Mac

I have seen it "Flounder About..."  Stupid Old Age crap!!!
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: eagl on December 12, 2007, 05:09:30 PM
Headlights use a relay because you really don't want to have to route the thicker wires required to handle the current used by headlights all the way from the fusebox to the switch and then back to the headlights.  Instead, even old cars run a thin "hot" wire to the switch and then to a relay that handles the higher current for the lights.  Both the switch wire and the wire after the relay may be fused, so you need to check for more than one blown fuse.

More modern/expensive cars will run that wire from the headlight switch to an integrated headlight module which has all the switches and relays necessary to run every light in the car.  It's great for manufacturing simplicity but it means that when it quits working, instead of opening a fusebox and replacing a relay you might have to swap out a $1000 lighting module instead.

If you have the car service manual, you should run through the diagnostic tree since that should point you to exactly what fuses and stuff to check.  If you don't have the service manual, you have the choice of either paying $100 for the manual, or paying some service tech $100 to troubleshoot the problem.  Either way, you're gonna pay so you might as well buy the service manual and do the work yourself.
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: RightF00T on December 12, 2007, 06:42:39 PM
Might be blinker fluid...have you tried refilling it ;)
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: FrodeMk3 on December 12, 2007, 06:48:54 PM
Quote
Originally posted by eagl
Headlights use a relay because you really don't want to have to route the thicker wires required to handle the current used by headlights all the way from the fusebox to the switch and then back to the headlights.  Instead, even old cars run a thin "hot" wire to the switch and then to a relay that handles the higher current for the lights.  Both the switch wire and the wire after the relay may be fused, so you need to check for more than one blown fuse.

More modern/expensive cars will run that wire from the headlight switch to an integrated headlight module which has all the switches and relays necessary to run every light in the car.  It's great for manufacturing simplicity but it means that when it quits working, instead of opening a fusebox and replacing a relay you might have to swap out a $1000 lighting module instead.

If you have the car service manual, you should run through the diagnostic tree since that should point you to exactly what fuses and stuff to check.  If you don't have the service manual, you have the choice of either paying $100 for the manual, or paying some service tech $100 to troubleshoot the problem.  Either way, you're gonna pay so you might as well buy the service manual and do the work yourself.


The only thing I would add, is to start at the headlights, and work your way back to power, checking for continuity.
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: clerick on December 12, 2007, 06:53:40 PM
What kind of car is it?  I know some of the older Ford and Honda switches were recaed due to overheating and in some cases fires.
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: AWMac on December 12, 2007, 06:55:32 PM
Quote
Originally posted by RightF00T
Might be blinker fluid...have you tried refilling it ;)


"Blinker Fluid?"

Ohhhh Noes, my Ex was a Fluke!!!!
 

Mac

:rofl
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: Tigger29 on December 12, 2007, 08:14:08 PM
Cav.. I'm an ASE master technician.. PM me
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: Roscoroo on December 12, 2007, 09:43:42 PM
if the alarm causes the lights to blink , then id say the relay is good .

its gonna be a bad or dirty switch .

(Got  Fluke  ... lol I do )
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: nirvana on December 12, 2007, 10:48:32 PM
First, what make/model/year of vehicle is it?

Since the headlights lights turn on when you lock/unlock doors would seem to say that the lighting system (fuse(s), bulbs, relays) is fine to me.  I'd say that the multifunction switch is at fault based off current information.
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: KgB on December 13, 2007, 12:57:46 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Tigger29
Cav.. I'm an ASE master technician.. PM me

we all are:)
Title: Need help with my car (headlights)
Post by: rpm on December 13, 2007, 05:02:29 AM
Did you check the horizontal discombobulator? If it's out of sync it will cause all kinds of problems.