Headlight Problems
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2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
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Headlight Problems
Last night the headlights didn't want to turn on. Then I went out & got in it today, started it up & the headlights came on & wouldn't go off. Even shutting off the car the headlights wouldn't go out. Thanks for any help! Thios is a '97 by the way....
Last edited by rollnrck; Aug 17, 2010 at 02:35 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 236
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From: CT
This problem will have an answer if you do a search for headlight problems. It could be either the switch on the steering column or the headlight control module that is below the passenger headlight. You can just turn the headlight stalk switch on and off a few times to see if that closes them. Also if you stick you arm down between the body and the pass headlight, when the passenger headlight is in the up position, MAKE SURE you disconnect the gray plug that feeds the passenger headlight and the module. It is located on the passenger fender well when you have the hood open. This seems to be a basic problem as I went through the same thing with my 97. I would unplug and plug the connector back in on the headlight module, the little black box that is mounted to the car right under the pass headlight and see if that helps. I found that sometimes those pins in the plug didn’t make good contact over time. If you find that to be the trouble, you can clean the pins and make sure they are making good contact by putting some tension back into them. Just be sure that anytime you are sticking you arm down by the headlights when they are open, that the gray plug is disconnected or the right fuses are pulled. It is a real bummer if the headlight tries to close on your arm. I don't mean to repeat myself over and over about the headlight closing on your arm, I just know how easy it is to forget to disconnect the plug and want to jump right in and fix the problem. I hope this helps and I am sure you will find the answer already posted. Hope it isn't a big fix. Worst case would probably be the stalk on the steering column, and that isn't to bad if your somewhat handy.
P.S. by the way I am assuming that when you say they didn't go out you meant that the headlights didn't close?
P.S. by the way I am assuming that when you say they didn't go out you meant that the headlights didn't close?
Last edited by glkfam; Aug 17, 2010 at 03:07 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 236
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From: CT
Steps to try and take
Check out this image of the headlight circuit to open and close the headlight doors out of the service manual.
Obviously first make sure the fuses in the under the hood fuse box by the battery are good. #4 +#3 both 10amp. Then I would try to unplug both plugs that are on the black box, headlight module under the passenger headlight. Remember to disconnect the gray plug that sits on top of the passenger fender well. I don't mean to talk down to you, but it just isn't a pretty picture to get nailed by that headlight coming down.
After unplugging the plugs on the module, turn the headlights down manually and then go to raise them by turning the switch on the steering column but first stop the headlight switch on the parking lights and see if the parking lights work and the instrument panel lights illuminate. That will tell you that at least you have power to the headlight stalk switch and out through the underhood fuse panel. I am not sure how handy you are with a voltage meter, but you need to get to the plugs that plug into the headlight module and check for some voltages. Is that a possibility?
Obviously first make sure the fuses in the under the hood fuse box by the battery are good. #4 +#3 both 10amp. Then I would try to unplug both plugs that are on the black box, headlight module under the passenger headlight. Remember to disconnect the gray plug that sits on top of the passenger fender well. I don't mean to talk down to you, but it just isn't a pretty picture to get nailed by that headlight coming down.
After unplugging the plugs on the module, turn the headlights down manually and then go to raise them by turning the switch on the steering column but first stop the headlight switch on the parking lights and see if the parking lights work and the instrument panel lights illuminate. That will tell you that at least you have power to the headlight stalk switch and out through the underhood fuse panel. I am not sure how handy you are with a voltage meter, but you need to get to the plugs that plug into the headlight module and check for some voltages. Is that a possibility?
