1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Headlights stopped raising overnight

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-26-11, 04:38 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
Brigdh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Headlights stopped raising overnight

Yesterday my headlights worked fine, but today I noticed both lights won't raise up. I tried both the switch around the dash, and the turn signal stalk.

I'm thinking electrical problems, since both lights went at the same time, but I wanted some advice. What is the proper way to diagnose this issue?

Thanks
Old 06-26-11, 05:31 PM
  #2  
Fighting Global Cooling

iTrader: (6)
 
FunK73's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Posts: 983
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Check your headlights fuse. Also check the fuseable links under the hood on the strut tower.
Old 06-26-11, 05:38 PM
  #3  
Have RX-7, will restore


iTrader: (91)
 
mazdaverx713b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,754
Received 1,062 Likes on 899 Posts
check the retractor fusible link in the fusible link block on the left strut tower.
Old 06-26-11, 05:45 PM
  #4  
Gyratory
 
RLM55's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Heavy-duty headlight harness from Black Dragon fixed my similar problem.
Old 06-26-11, 08:27 PM
  #5  
Lapping = Fapping

iTrader: (13)
 
Jeff20B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 15,725
Received 83 Likes on 76 Posts
It could be the combo switch at the steering column. kentetsu would say to hose it down with contact cleaner but it's best to take it apart and clean the contacts for real. Then grease the sections that would have lost their grease from blindly spraying in there.
Old 06-27-11, 05:18 PM
  #6  
Happy Rotoring!

iTrader: (13)
 
Banzai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,341
Received 398 Likes on 259 Posts
The fusable link on the left strut tower is the most likely place to check first.
Old 06-28-11, 02:43 PM
  #7  
Full Member
iTrader: (2)
 
350swapblzr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Frederic/ Northbranch
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Fuseable links same problem I had. The wires get old stiff and corroded then break. You can use the beter fc fuses in your main fuse box they're a tight fit but they work great.
Old 06-28-11, 05:11 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
Brigdh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
So I took out all of the fusable links and tested each one for continuity with my multimeter. All of them passed. I put them back in the same places and checked all of my fuses near the hood release, and they were all fine.

Just for the hell of it I tired raising the lights via both mechanisms, and the lights went up and down multiple times without a problem.

I guess the electrical gnomes decided to move on....
Old 06-28-11, 05:15 PM
  #9  
1st-Class Engine Janitor

iTrader: (15)
 
DivinDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chino Hills, CA
Posts: 8,376
Received 26 Likes on 24 Posts
Sounds like you had a corroded contact on the fusible link, and removing/replacing it cleaned it up a bit.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
23Racer
Race Car Tech
1
09-21-15 10:48 AM
t-von
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
9
09-10-15 01:56 PM
<<Ayrton>>
Interior / Exterior / Audio
0
09-05-15 09:38 PM



Quick Reply: Headlights stopped raising overnight



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:23 AM.