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Headlights out

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by umsneeze, Dec 16, 2007.

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  1. umsneeze

    umsneeze Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2004
    449
    Knoxville, TN
    #1 umsneeze, Dec 16, 2007
    Two weeks ago I took a quick drive in my 308, and the headlights worked without any problem. Yesterday tried to turn then on and nothing happened. I have no instrument panel lights, and the lights don't pop up and are not lit. I swapped out relays without any success, and haven't replaced the fuses but visually they all look okay. My next step will be to replace all the fuses and clean the contacts. When I searched for this topic, most people who have had a failure of the headlight stalk/switch reported some intermittent symptoms or lights that would turn on and pop up only to sink back down, rather than the complete failure I seem to have. When I get time (probably after the holidays) I'll switch the fuses and if that doesn't work, look into the stalk/switch issues. Any other suggestions or anyone who has had a complete failure like this?
     
  2. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 27, 2001
    5,516
    Duluth, MN
    Full Name:
    The Meister
    #2 Meister, Dec 16, 2007
    How long did you run the car?

    On my 80, at times it will take a few minutes before the alt charges the battery/voltage regulator kicks in before the lights will come on.

    Sometimes I have to idle 5+ minutes before the lights work.

    I put a volt meter in my car (right off the battery). Until the meter shows a positvie charge, no lights....nothing.

    Best of luck.
     
  3. umsneeze

    umsneeze Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2004
    449
    Knoxville, TN
    #3 umsneeze, Dec 16, 2007
    I'd gone one a 15-20 mile drive, and it was as I was pulling into the garage that I tried to turn on the lights. All the other lights work (turn signals, brake lights), and the alternator light turned off as usual once the car was warmed up and revved past 3K.
     
  4. JohnnyS

    JohnnyS F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Oct 19, 2006
    15,280
    Illinois
    Full Name:
    John
    #4 JohnnyS, Dec 16, 2007
    Could you have a slipping belt that isn't charging the battery as it should at low rpm?
     
  5. Mark 328

    Mark 328 Formula Junior

    Nov 6, 2003
    510
    Orange, Ca
    Full Name:
    Mark Foley
    #5 Mark 328, Dec 16, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My 328 had a similar problem; no headlights, no headlight motors and no instrument lights.
    Sometimes I was able to get things to work again by wiggling the big plug (shown with the white arrows).
    As indicated by the picture, the plug in my car had a lot of twisting tension preloading it.
    That plug is just a big dual, slide-in electrical connector that plugs into tangs on the circuit board.
    What ultimately happened was the solder joint on the circuit board broke loose. It looked like the solder job was a little cold, but the tension is probably the real culprit.
    Anyhow, the black screws (green arrow) hold the circuit board in. Without much trouble, I was able to remove them, flip the board around and resolder the connectors from the back side.
    This may not be your exact problem, but it is likely caused by that main power line circuit.

    Mark
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  6. Cavallino Motors

    Cavallino Motors F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    May 31, 2001
    14,143
    Florida or Argentina
    Full Name:
    Martin W.
    #6 Cavallino Motors, Dec 17, 2007
    Just had that on my GMC PU truck. One side was working the other was not. The fuse looked good but I had a new one already in my hand so I simply switched it out and bingo... You see the old fuse and cannot tell it was bad.

    Then you may have two simultanious problems. The fuse for the interior lights and a low alterator output. Fuses are easy to check and fix.
    From there also look into the light switch. They do go bad. After all the car is 30 years old.
     
  7. umsneeze

    umsneeze Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2004
    449
    Knoxville, TN
    #7 umsneeze, Dec 17, 2007
    I'll look into the circuit board attachment, after I replace all the fuses. I'm pretty sure the alternator is fine, as the car turns quickly, starts right up, and all other lights are working. Unfortunately, I probably won't get to this project until after the holidays. I guess it's my first project of the new year!
     

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