| Author | Message | ||
| Chris F. (Chrisfromri)
New member Username: Chrisfromri Post Number: 31 Registered: 1-2003 |
Greg, Glad to pass on what I learned from my own 308 QV headlight exercise. Kind Regards, Chris PS: You might want to read my comments about servicing the metal can relays in the nearby thread asking about replacing the relays on a 308. | ||
| Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member Username: Owens84qv Post Number: 717 Registered: 10-2001 |
Chris, thank you so much for pointing me to the pigtail connection. That was it! I took the connection apart and saw enough corrosion on the low-beam connection that caused concern. I cleaned both ends, applied some dielectric grease and she lit up. I'll still swap all of the relays just so everything on the fuse-relay panel is new. I'll clean the other headlamp pigtail connection tomorrow. Thanks again! | ||
| Chris F. (Chrisfromri)
New member Username: Chrisfromri Post Number: 29 Registered: 1-2003 |
Greg, The S2000 Roadster is loads of fun to drive. It handles very well, and has a very advanced engine. The clutch and gearbox are exceptional. The unusual twist is that it is designed to be driven at very high RPMs, since that is where it makes its power (9000 RPM redline). The low/mid RPM torque is rather light, and this is a problem for some people. Test drive one for yourself and see if it's right for you. I think it's more fun to drive than everything out there under $55K (convertible Corvette, Boxster, Z Roadsters, etc.) so IMO it's a great value in the low $30K range. Certainly test drive those cars and others as well. When you take your S2000 test drive try to drive one that's broken in (600+ miles) and warmed up, then watch what happens when you are standing on the gas pedal between 6000 and 9000 RPM. If you consider a used one, go for at least a 2002 (better ECU, sway bars, stereo, rear window). One last thought is that fit is important. I am 5' 10" and 175 pounds and the S2000 fits me well. One reason I walked away from the 'vette was its loose fitting sloppy interior -- but if I were larger the 'vette might have been more interesting. I use mine as an everyday driver on nice days. Kind Regards, Chris | ||
| Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member Username: Owens84qv Post Number: 716 Registered: 10-2001 |
Chris, by the way, how do you like the S2000? Starting a search for a different daily driver car and the S2000 has always peaked my interest. | ||
| Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member Username: Owens84qv Post Number: 715 Registered: 10-2001 |
Chris, thank you for the tip. Over the last few days, I've replaced all of the fuses (they really needed it!), I've purchased all new relays which will get installed tonight. I will also check this second connector set. I'm coating everything with a dab of dielectric grease for protection. Worst case, I'll start with the multimeter this weekend and track it down from there. Thanks for your help! | ||
| Chris F. (Chrisfromri)
New member Username: Chrisfromri Post Number: 24 Registered: 1-2003 |
On my 308 QV there is a second connector set under a black rubber boot about one foot back from the headlight bulb connector. I needed to remove the louver to get to it. Anyway, mine had a bad contact there for the low beam, but the high beam worked just fine. I tightened up the connectors and it was fixed. Presumably, this second connector set is to allow the same basic wiring harness to be used for EU and US -- with only a change of the last foot pigtail for the different headlight connectors. Kind Regards, Chris | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Advanced Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 3444 Registered: 8-2002 |
Frank, This is not funny anymore. JRV and I have had our issues and believe it or not we worked it out. He is a good mechanic and is very helpful here. I too have had issues about taking my car back to the shop after it was worked on but never after a major and it never caused paint damage. FOA dropped the ball. Admit it and move on. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2075 Registered: 9-2001 |
Have JRV repair it and it will never fail again. | ||
| Barney Guzzo (Trinacria)
Junior Member Username: Trinacria Post Number: 193 Registered: 8-2002 |
Mark is right. If the high works then it is the connector on the back on the bulb. Use a wire brush and clean it good. If the ground was really bad then no high beams. | ||
| Mark (Markg)
Member Username: Markg Post Number: 420 Registered: 2-2001 |
Just a guess but if High beam works I would check wiring to low beam circuit on that side, may be lucky and just have a loose wire... | ||
| Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Member Username: Lawrence Post Number: 553 Registered: 4-2002 |
Purchase a multimeter. It takes the hit and miss out of finding why electrical things don't work. Did you have a "Fun With Electricity Set" when you were a child? My multimeter and 10 mm socket are two of the most frequently used tools on European cars. | ||
| Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member Username: Owens84qv Post Number: 712 Registered: 10-2001 |
I checked the ground wires last evening. Cleaned them but didn't apply any dieletric grease. I'm headed to Lowes at lunch so I'll pic some up. Barry, just so I cleaned the correct ground...there is a threaded post aft and to the right of the headlamp pod where 2+ leads are grounded...is that the correct ground? Also, I checked the brights and they work, it's the dims that are still not operating. I've also got a complete set of new Bosch relays arriving Wednesday, maybe that will do the trick. Thanks for your help. | ||
| Barney Guzzo (Trinacria)
Junior Member Username: Trinacria Post Number: 189 Registered: 8-2002 |
Same exact thing a few weeks ago. I pull in the driveway at dusk with lights on and my wife comes outside to tell me one light is out. Check, clean, wire brush, and coat (with di-electric grease) the connectors going to the bulbs. Check the ground wires. Steve M and Dr. Tommy C called it and got it right. | ||
| Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member Username: Owens84qv Post Number: 709 Registered: 10-2001 |
Bill, both beams (lamps) are brand new. Both headlamps work in the passenger-side pod, but niether work in the drivers-side pod. I'll remove the grate that is aft of the headlight pod to see if I can find the ground connections. Thanks Carl for a clue for the ground wire. I'll also be replacing all of the relays and fuses over the next couple of days. | ||
| Carl Rose (Carl_rose)
Junior Member Username: Carl_rose Post Number: 98 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi Mr. Owens, Others with more experience will be able to provide more specific reccomendations but I'll chime in for the interim. On my 328, the ground wire (? green) had a end eyelet held to chassis with small bolt just superior & lateral to the top outer corner of the bucket. (this is from memory a few months back; alternatively you can use ohmmeter to check continuity between attaching bolt & known ground (negative battery terminal) to r/o etiology) Hope this helps,  Carl | ||
| Mark Eberhardt (Me_k)
Member Username: Me_k Post Number: 451 Registered: 5-2002 |
I had a light go out and found it was a good fuse that was making poor conection in the box which was a new one on me. | ||
| Bill V (Doc)
Member Username: Doc Post Number: 266 Registered: 9-2001 |
Greg--I don't where the grounds are located, but from your description that everything works except the lighting of one sealed beam unit, could it be that it's just a burned out beam? | ||
| Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member Username: Owens84qv Post Number: 708 Registered: 10-2001 |
Can anyone tell me where the ground is for each headlight? | ||
| Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member Username: Owens84qv Post Number: 707 Registered: 10-2001 |
From the owners manual, there are relays that control the headlight pods. When the headlights are turned on, both pods go up, however, only the passenger side (right side) headlight functions. I surmised that from the description of the relays, that if the relay was bad, the headlight pod would not operate, but it does. Only the headlight is not operating. Can you tell me where ground is for either headlamp? I'll check that and I'll probably replace all of the relays. If I'm going to buy one, I might as well buy ten and know that everything has been replaced new. | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Advanced Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 3361 Registered: 8-2002 |
Swap the relay, not the ground. | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Advanced Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 3360 Registered: 8-2002 |
Each light has a ground. Each light has it's own relay. Swap them and see if that's it. | ||
| Bill V (Doc)
Member Username: Doc Post Number: 265 Registered: 9-2001 |
Greg--if each light has its own ground, it could possible be that , I would guess (?) | ||
| Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member Username: Owens84qv Post Number: 706 Registered: 10-2001 |
I did a search through the archives and wasn't able to find anything related. Last evening, my wife said the left-hand (drivers side) headlight wasn't working. No problem, change the headlamp bulb. Still didn't work. Checked the fuses...all of the appropriate fuses OK. There is a relay for external lights, but if that relay was bad, all external lights would be inoperable. Any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated. |