Headlight Problems

[Datzun76]

Headlights keep giving me problems. I have already replaced the switch twice now and all the other lights work fine.

I can get the headlights to come on some of the time but only after I flip the switch 5 or 6 times and they will suddenly go out on me while driving sometimes. Checked all the fuses no problems there.

All my connections under the steering column look fine- nothing loose. Any ideas on solving this problem?

[zorro]

My 260 2+2 has just started doing this. However I have had heavy duty wiring put in around 6yrs complete with a circuit breaker and headlamp relays. My cousin is an Auto Elec but hasn't checked my car out yet. He told me it could be as simple as a faulty circuit breaker. Hope this helps........

[2ManyZs]

Have you replaced the switch with a new one or a used one out of another car?? If they were used you may need to break down and get a new one. My 71 does the same thing after it has sat for a while, it's in the switch on mine. Sounds like the switch to me, but it could be something else in the wiring harness or fuse block.

[Datzun76]

Both switches were used from other cars. I did tear down one of the switches and double checked to make sure everything was there and working.

I can buy a new switch but just wanted to see if anyone else had this problem before. If the switch was bad the headlights would never come on at all right?

[2ManyZs]

All depends on what is wrong with the switch I guess. When my 71 sat for over period of a couple weeks without being driven, the contacts must have corroded a little from the humidity, and it took two or three tries to get the lights to come on. Once they were on they were fine and never went out.

It could be just a little too much play in the switch is not allowing a good contact in there, you may have no problems as far as the contacts go, just too much play in the switch itself. After a few thousand times being switched on and off, it's got to wear more than just the contacts.

[EScanlon]

Check the connection at the headlights and also the connectors. This sounds like the same old piece of advice you've heard probably 3 gazillion times, but with the Z it's usually dead on target.

The connectors for the individual headlights is in front of the radiator. Guess what it gets hit with when you are driving in the rain? The acorn pot that protects the back of the headlight is in the front wheel well, guess what hits it ALL the time?

I just recently disassembled my front end to replace the headlight bulbs. I discovered that both the headlight and the turn signal assemblies had so much dirt and crud inside the plastic sleeve that "protects" the wiring that it felt like they were solid. As I removed them from the car, the plastic broke into hundreds of pieces.

The connector to the headlight lamp itself could be corroded also.

My bet with 2MZ's car is that he needs just a dash of contact cleaner in the switch. This will remove the surface oxidation on the contacts for the switch.

D76, I would check your connections again, and do a good continuity on the fuse. Heck, replace the fuse(s), they're cheap and could be the source of the problem.

2¢

[Datzun76]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will keep troubleshooting to try and resolve the problem. I know what you mean with the side markers. Took mine off before it was painted and one of them had all kinds of muck and corrosion in it.

[Datzun76]

OK headlights work now. Swapped out the gold box on top of the switch with another one since the connections did not look real good.

One problem down one to go. All the lights work any help on the blinkers?

I put a replacement bulb in the left front turn signal which leaves my left turn arrow on in my dash display. Doesnt blink just comes on. Take out the bulb and it goes off again. This bulb will not sit right or stay on when I put it in. Will work on that problem.

No turn signals at all front or rear.

[zorro]

I'm constantly having trouble with my flashers. If one bulb out of the three indicators is not earthing properly, my indicator light on the dash will just stay on and not flash. I've found that due to corrosion the globes aren't sitting properly. The globe sockets need to be replaced on mine. Hope this helps!