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Headlight woes

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Old May 29, 2013 | 09:04 AM
  #1  
VinnyT's Avatar
VinnyT
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From: Rocky Mount Virginia
Default Headlight woes

Ok, so I have to go to inspection tomorrow. Now it seems my headlights will not work at certain times. When I first start it in the morning, I have no issues. Only when the car is fully heated the issue arises. The foglights will work everytime. I have done research on the problems and it would be one of the following:

Column switch
Headlight module
Not enough voltage

Column swtich
If this was the culprit why would it work in the morning and not any other time? The foglights work but not the headlights.

[B]Headlight module[/B
]How can I test this? Any tell-tale signs of failing?

Not enough voltage
This one I want to believe is the problem. The amp cranks out more voltage when the engine is cold and slowly "backs off" when the engine gets to temp. I checked the voltage at the battery while at temp and running and it pulls 14.15v. Headlights do not work.

Any other thoughts?
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Old May 29, 2013 | 10:18 AM
  #2  
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Kmcoldcars
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From: Puyallup Washington
Default

Originally Posted by VinnyT
Not enough voltage
This one I want to believe is the problem. The amp cranks out more voltage when the engine is cold and slowly "backs off" when the engine gets to temp. I checked the voltage at the battery while at temp and running and it pulls 14.15v. Headlights do not work.

Any other thoughts?
It is normal for the alternator to put out more voltage when the engine is cold, as you have just started the car and the battery needs to be brought up to a full charge. As the charge on the battery increases the voltage will start to drop. During this time the engine is warming up.

If you read 14.15 volts at the battery when the car is warm and running that is normal. The problem is not with the voltage.
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Old May 29, 2013 | 11:21 AM
  #3  
VinnyT's Avatar
VinnyT
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Le Mans Master
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,364
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From: Rocky Mount Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by Kmcoldcars
It is normal for the alternator to put out more voltage when the engine is cold, as you have just started the car and the battery needs to be brought up to a full charge. As the charge on the battery increases the voltage will start to drop. During this time the engine is warming up.

If you read 14.15 volts at the battery when the car is warm and running that is normal. The problem is not with the voltage.
I thought this too. However the lights work fine when engine is cold and first started. Now when I go to the store, restart, and nothing. Lights will not pop up or come on.
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