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Help w. 79 308 Headlights

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by tf308, Jun 27, 2004.

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  1. tf308

    tf308 Formula 3

    Dec 14, 2003
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    Virginia Beach
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    Tim
    #1 tf308, Jun 27, 2004
    I am having problems with my 308's headlights. When I turn the switch, the headlights pop up and then go right back down. the passenger side tends to stay up longer (for about 30 seconds) then also goes back down. The rear lights and the front headlights also go on (1 second) then go back out.

    They were working fine until I drove it in the rain. Has anyone else had this problem and what do I do to fix it. I temporarily opened the wiring connectors up by the motors and put some dielectric grease in them, but nothing changed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
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    Dec 28, 2003
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    #2 Jdubbya, Jun 27, 2004
  3. Bernardo308

    Bernardo308 Karting

    Jun 15, 2004
    53
    Virginia Beach
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    Bernardo Sa Nogueira
    #3 Bernardo308, Jun 28, 2004
    The car is actually mine - Tim has a qv and was helping me out. I was looking at the car, over at his house, and tried changing the relays - they work fine. Could some connection in the front of the car (or anywhere else) have gotten wet with the rain and caused the light to work this way? Where would that connection be? The lights were working fine before the car went out in the rain.... Thanks for the help!
     
  4. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #4 enjoythemusic, Jun 28, 2004
    tf308,

    POSSIBLY... the rain shorted out the nearly failing DIODES on the headlight motors themselves. Do a SEARCH in the archives (both new and old) about headlight diodes. When i had trouble i decided to replace the whole thing as they were "only" $200 and wanted to have all new mechanical, yet diode replacement is only $2 and some time.

    Hope this helps.
     
  5. Bernardo308

    Bernardo308 Karting

    Jun 15, 2004
    53
    Virginia Beach
    Full Name:
    Bernardo Sa Nogueira
    #5 Bernardo308, Jun 28, 2004
    Thanks for the replies! I'll check the diodes this week as soon as I can get to them. I also noticed that when the lights pop up and then down, the rear lights also go on and then off. Will the fact that the diode is bad make the rear lights loose power as well? Maybe the front ligths would not turn on, but would the rear lights also be turned off? I have limited electrical knowledge... :-(
     
  6. coachi

    coachi Formula 3

    May 1, 2002
    2,108
    SC USA
    #6 coachi, Jun 28, 2004
    I used to have a 3087 (79) GTS that would have the lights pop up at their convenience ...and stay on while the car wasnt even running. I thought it was the battery which tended to get weak at times. I was then told to check to switch on the steering column. Never found out even though I would love to know. I sold the car recently and the new owner is working on the problem.
     
  7. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #7 enjoythemusic, Jun 28, 2004
    the diode has NOTHING to do with rears. Sounds to me like a light stalk or relay or fuse problem. Are you still using those HORRIBLE stock fuse boxes?????
     
  8. Bernardo308

    Bernardo308 Karting

    Jun 15, 2004
    53
    Virginia Beach
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    Bernardo Sa Nogueira
    #8 Bernardo308, Jun 28, 2004
    We checked the relays and they are working fine. The car still has the old fuse box, but it appears to be in good shape and the fuses seemed ok too. I just have a hard time thinking it is the column stalk because it was working fine until it went in the rain. If the diodes are bad, when the lights go back down (shut off), despite the rigth hand one staying up for another few minutes (it didn't do this before the problem), this might send the signal that the lights are no longer in use and so the tail lights get turned off too. Brake lights work fine. Any ideas??
     
  9. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #9 enjoythemusic, Jun 28, 2004
    Bernardo308,

    There are connectors under the hood light louvers that are held on to the body by four phillips screws. i would check ALL electricals to the lights/motors for water or a short or simply a lack of clean connection due to age. May as well CLEAN all connections, use CAIG contact cleaner/enhancer (http://shopping.netledger.com/app/site/site.nl/site.ACCT113328/mode.items/sc.2/category.188/.f) and water seal them with silicone sealant, heat shrink, or the like (but NEVER use electrical tape!!!).
     
  10. Bernardo308

    Bernardo308 Karting

    Jun 15, 2004
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    Bernardo Sa Nogueira
    #10 Bernardo308, Jun 28, 2004
    Thank you for your help! I will get to it and let you know how it comes out.
     

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