Headlight Woes
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Vandenberg AFB California
Headlight Woes
I suspect that the headlight actuator relay on my '88 is done for......is there any way to check before I shell out $160 for a new one?
Also, is there a better (read cheaper) place to purchase one of these out there?
Also, is there a better (read cheaper) place to purchase one of these out there?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Vandenberg AFB California
I just replaced/fixed the motors and with direct current from the battery, they work fine. I checked the wire harness plug coming into the actuator relay and 4 of the 5 pins have power coming to them. When I turn on the headlights the fifth pin gets power. On the other side of the relay, there is no power at any time.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Vandenberg AFB California
Follow up
Just a quick follow up that might help someone.
I talked to a couple people on the forum about the 88 headlight actuator relay, tested all the pins going in and coming out and determined that the relay must be bad (current going in but not coming out). I figured, what the heck, I am going to have to replace this thing anyway, so I pulled it apart. I am sooooo glad I did.
Immediatally after opening it up, I noticed that the center section of the relay had a clear plastic cover and inside it looked like someone had hosted a bonfire in one corner. I pulled it apart and found one of the wires had come loose and one of them had completely melted. After replacing the melted one, soldering it and the loose one together and putting it all back, it works like a charm.
You know what the best part is? It didn't cost me a dime. $160 extra in my pocket.
I talked to a couple people on the forum about the 88 headlight actuator relay, tested all the pins going in and coming out and determined that the relay must be bad (current going in but not coming out). I figured, what the heck, I am going to have to replace this thing anyway, so I pulled it apart. I am sooooo glad I did.
Immediatally after opening it up, I noticed that the center section of the relay had a clear plastic cover and inside it looked like someone had hosted a bonfire in one corner. I pulled it apart and found one of the wires had come loose and one of them had completely melted. After replacing the melted one, soldering it and the loose one together and putting it all back, it works like a charm.
You know what the best part is? It didn't cost me a dime. $160 extra in my pocket.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Thats great, nice job. But just so you know, you can buy one of those relays for like $20 from Autozone.
You can also find here at Mid-America for $15.99
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.825
You can also find here at Mid-America for $15.99
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.825
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Vandenberg AFB California
Yeah, I guess up till '88 they used 3 different relays and then in '88 they went with a simpler, more robust system that only had one relay. Fortunatally, from what I can gather, they rarely to bad, but unfortunatally, when they do, they are expensive. It says on the back of the relay that you shouldn't open and repair the module, but I have never been one to follow the rules. Good thing for me too.
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