Headlights have mind of their own
06-05-2012, 11:25 AM
#1
Race Car
Thread Starter
Headlights have mind of their own
Problem:
Hey guys need some assistance, my headlights keep popping up and down none stop with the car off. If I turn the headlights on they will stay and work in open position but once I close them they still dance.
Attempted Solutions:
I checked the fuses all 3 of them and none of them had broken contacts, the headlight relay looks bad so I cleaned it up and put it back it was fine till I turned on the headlights. I then tried one of the other relays in the fuses panel that had the same prongs and put it in to see if it would fix it, no luck. Any ideas?
Also tried new Headlamp Relay on Motor, Rotary Switch and Headlight **** Switch.
PROBLEM FIXED: Relay G15 for the Headlamp Washers ...Never liked them darn things anyway.
Hey guys need some assistance, my headlights keep popping up and down none stop with the car off. If I turn the headlights on they will stay and work in open position but once I close them they still dance.
Attempted Solutions:
I checked the fuses all 3 of them and none of them had broken contacts, the headlight relay looks bad so I cleaned it up and put it back it was fine till I turned on the headlights. I then tried one of the other relays in the fuses panel that had the same prongs and put it in to see if it would fix it, no luck. Any ideas?
Also tried new Headlamp Relay on Motor, Rotary Switch and Headlight **** Switch.
PROBLEM FIXED: Relay G15 for the Headlamp Washers ...Never liked them darn things anyway.
Last edited by CyCloNe!; 06-19-2012 at 11:39 AM.
06-05-2012, 12:45 PM
#2
Three Wheelin'
Have you tried this procedure from Clark's Garage?
It involves cleaning the rotary switch that tells the motor when to switch off...
It involves cleaning the rotary switch that tells the motor when to switch off...
The electrical contact wheel provides a continuous electrical flow path for the headlight motor to keep it energized when the headlight switch is operated. The only exception is two small plastic inserts into the wheel which break the electrical contact at the full up position and at the full down position.
Over time, corrosion builds up on the contact wheel. The corrosion gets carried by the contacts onto the normally non-conducting plastic inserts on the wheel. A film of corrosion eventually builds up on the inserts and they will conduct enough electricity to keep the motor energized and the headlights rotate up and down.
Over time, corrosion builds up on the contact wheel. The corrosion gets carried by the contacts onto the normally non-conducting plastic inserts on the wheel. A film of corrosion eventually builds up on the inserts and they will conduct enough electricity to keep the motor energized and the headlights rotate up and down.
06-05-2012, 02:30 PM
#3
Race Car
Thread Starter
I haven't tried that yet, I'll look into it... the odd thing is my relay smells burnt and saw a small amout of smoke coming from it just a minute ago. I switch it with a different relay out of the fuse block but still did the same thing, maybe the power diagrams weren't the same then.
06-05-2012, 03:19 PM
#4
Three Wheelin'
I haven't tried that yet, I'll look into it... the odd thing is my relay smells burnt and saw a small amout of smoke coming from it just a minute ago.
I switch it with a different relay out of the fuse block but still did the same thing, maybe the power diagrams weren't the same then.
06-05-2012, 04:23 PM
#5
Racer
Join Date: Mar 2009
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Pull the relay at the headlight motor. The contacts get dirty and the contact on the outside edge can get bent in. If you let the motor **** rub on your hand and the lamps stop in the down position then the problem is the motor relay.
06-05-2012, 05:02 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Open up and clean the headlight relay internally. I do not believe it is compatible with any other relay (despite your view that the prongs are the same). If it looks burned or damaged internally, replace it.
Had the same issue, it was the headlight relay (opened and cleaned, been great since). I never let it run so long as to over heat or compromise the relay.
Had the same issue, it was the headlight relay (opened and cleaned, been great since). I never let it run so long as to over heat or compromise the relay.
06-05-2012, 06:50 PM
#7
Instructor
I've had head lite motor relay failure on 2 944s. So last general parts order, I included 2 extras thinking that it might happen again. Real PIA when it does.
Part # 20 201 101. I see on the box it now says "multi purpose rely". Opened the box and it has this extra prong thingy (loose) that slides in one side of the relay
Anyways, they're 8 bucks.
Part # 20 201 101. I see on the box it now says "multi purpose rely". Opened the box and it has this extra prong thingy (loose) that slides in one side of the relay
Anyways, they're 8 bucks.
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06-06-2012, 03:13 PM
#8
Race Car
Thread Starter
Ya I will buy a new relay and see how it goes. I looked at the schematics on the relay and it was the same but instead of having a terminal 87 and 87a, it just had 87 and 87 and I wonder if that's why it didn't work that the 87a I assume powers in a different way that just going to an 87.
06-06-2012, 03:51 PM
#9
Three Wheelin'
Ya I will buy a new relay and see how it goes. I looked at the schematics on the relay and it was the same but instead of having a terminal 87 and 87a, it just had 87 and 87 and I wonder if that's why it didn't work that the 87a I assume powers in a different way that just going to an 87.
So if it has two 87s...maybe they are both on or off together?
06-06-2012, 08:07 PM
#10
Race Car
Thread Starter
That sounds right when I looked at the diagram on the relay I used (not the factory one) it said power was on both 87, so the 87a must do a reverse or something different.
06-07-2012, 04:39 AM
#12
Today I got
My Custom Title
Rennlist Member
My Custom Title
Rennlist Member
Didn't read anything but the first post, but are you saying that after you turn your car OFF the lights keep going up and down and up and down nonstop??? That's hilarious! 
06-07-2012, 09:54 PM
#14
Instructor
If it continues to cycle when it shouldn't wouldn't it have to be the rotary switch? Like divil mentioned?
Seems like that's the only device in the system that could cause that. Possibly a contact in the headlight switch also.
Good luck and let us know when you find it.
Seems like that's the only device in the system that could cause that. Possibly a contact in the headlight switch also.
Good luck and let us know when you find it.