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Lights Out! Headlights having problems on Classic wagon

uid 17059's pic
posted by  Pancho Urbano on  Fri Jan 6 12:35 CST 2006
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last visit: Thu Aug 16 23:53 CST 2012
[RELATED]

Hi.

I'm having some problems with my headlights while on a trip up in the Bay Area. I've searched FAQ and read the excellent post at http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=452610, but I thought I'd see if anyone can offer me a shortcut in regard to my specific problems:

The parking lights and rear light work, but every once in a while, the headlights stopped working. This has occurred more frequently, and now they are just not coming on. The brights will work when I pull the switch toward me, but will not stay on.

Would you suggest the headlight relay (which is cheaper), or the step relay, or should I explore cleaning the connections?

Thanks for your advice.
-pu

--
((1993 245 Classic, 105K)) ((1992 244, 115K)) ((1987 245, 271K - RIP)) San Diego








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    found the culprit - bad connection at the step relay

    uid 17059's pic
    posted by  Pancho Urbano on  Sat Jan 7 08:43 CST 2006
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    last visit: Thu Aug 16 23:53 CST 2012
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    Well, called some parts stores around the bay area and they're all closed on saturday! Looked under the hood and found that the connectors at the step relay were hanging down halfway. Pushed them back in there and lights work!

    Hope this is helpful to other troubleshooters.
    -pu
    --
    ((1993 245 Classic, 105K)) ((1992 244, 115K)) ((1987 245, 271K - RIP)) San Diego








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    Lights Out! Headlights having problems on Classic wagon 700 1985

    posted by  MarkyMark on  Fri Jan 6 18:09 CST 2006
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    last visit: Mon Dec 17 21:34 CST 2012
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    I have this problem about 1 a yr. Not being good electronically...I just replace the realy......I have noticed that the relay was reusable a couple of times and since I have the degradeable harness I assumed a short of some sort.

    I know that doesn't help much but your not alone with this problem.

    When I held bright light lever in I would get both sets of lights working so.....i would just hold the lever in . made driving just a little more fun.


    My horn stops working intermittently as well. maybe there's a relationship somewhere.


    Mark

    85 740gle 235k m46








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      Lights Out! Headlights having problems on Classic wagon - horn problem too 700 1985

      uid 17059's pic
      posted by  Pancho Urbano on  Fri Jan 6 19:37 CST 2006
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      last visit: Thu Aug 16 23:53 CST 2012
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      Yes, we have very different harnesses - but I find it interesting that my horn is on the fritz as well. Perhaps a connection
      --
      ((1993 245 Classic, 105K)) ((1992 244, 115K)) ((1987 245, 271K - RIP)) San Diego








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    Lights Out! Headlights having problems on Classic wagon 200 1993

    posted by  Williston on  Fri Jan 6 14:04 CST 2006
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    last visit: Tue Dec 11 14:18 CST 2012
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    I had this problem on my '93. The lights started going out occasionally while driving. It was the big main relay under the hood (faulty). It's the big metal/silver thing , near shock tower on passenger side.)








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      Lights Out! Headlights having problems on Classic wagon 200 1993

      uid 17059's pic
      posted by  Pancho Urbano on  Fri Jan 6 17:47 CST 2006
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      last visit: Thu Aug 16 23:53 CST 2012
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      Thanks - would this be the step relay?
      -pu
      --
      ((1993 245 Classic, 105K)) ((1992 244, 115K)) ((1987 245, 271K - RIP)) San Diego








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        Lights Out! Headlights having problems on Classic wagon 200 1993

        uid 18083's pic
        posted by  lucid on  Sat Jan 7 02:11 CST 2006
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        last visit: Fri Oct 24 12:31 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        Yes, the Step relay that used to be on the left side, and one which I've never seen to fail. Maybe the newer step relays aren't as well made.

        I would have suggested the Main headlight relay.

        Should be easy to identify the culprit with a voltmeter or test light.

        With Key ON and Headlight switch ON, test for voltage at Step relay terminal 56 (Yellow wire).
        No Voltage at 56 = no output from Main relay 87[*]
        Voltage at 56? Test 56a (Red wire to High Beams) or 56b (Yellow to Bulb Failure sensor and Low Beams)

        Voltage in at 56, but not out at 56a or 56b = bad Step relay.

        [*] The '93 may now be old enough for burnt wires at relay harness plug, per picture below.

        P.S. There are no fuses in the 240 headlight circuits.

        --
        Bruce Young
        '93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.








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