Headlight problem

[coco777]

Another problem, this one stops me driving at dark, I noticed the drivers side headlight was dimmer than the other side, on both high and dip.

I checked the bulb and noticed that the bit the bulb plugs into had melted away on one of the connectors, I threw it away and bought another, that arrived today, it came pre-wired, so I fitted it back the same way it came out, and it's still dim on both high and dip, you notice it more on dip it's very dim, on high beam it's about 50% dimmer than it should be.

It's really stumped me, a mate said it sounds like a earth problem.

Any ideas ?

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Does sound like an earth problem, quick way to check, if you can, look at the filaments of the bulb, are they both glowing at the same time?

If they are, instead of running to ground, they are back feeding through the other circuit, and earthing via that.

 

[rustic]

On mine, when the ignition is on and the headlight switch is on the side light position, the headlights are on Dim.

What is really happening is that the headlight bulbs are actually wired in series.

Controlled via a relay.
So my first thought, seek out the relay and the associated wiring, as clearly there is a fault in this area, or as suggested, an earth fault.


If yours don't do this on the later model, then ignore this fantastic suggestion....

best regards, Rustic.

 

[danielj]

Any idea why the bit the bulb plugs into melted? Had the same happen to me and it was so badly melted that it looked like there was real potential that the truck could have gone on fire with a bit of bad luck. Plastic covers on the wires had frayed (or possibly been nibbled by rodents by the look of it) and wires must have touched. Wires were fairly corroded anyway and I cut them out and replaced them. If you wires are as corroded as mine were you wouldn't be getting a lot of power to the bulbs.

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

I might be wrong, but I don't think the Terrano's have the Dim Dip on the earlier ones (Definitely not on my 1999 one). It's like the headlamp washers, the Fords have it, but not the T2's.

 

[coco777]

Does sound like an earth problem, quick way to check, if you can, look at the filaments of the bulb, are they both glowing at the same time?

If they are, instead of running to ground, they are back feeding through the other circuit, and earthing via that.

I'll check in the morning, thanks everyone.

 

[makeitfit]

Melted bulb holders are a good sign that some plum has fitted 100 watt bulbs or similar :doh Too hot and illegal and no brighter and fail quickly and yes I tried it once :augie

 

[Terranical]

I might be wrong, but I don't think the Terrano's have the Dim Dip on the earlier ones (Definitely not on my 1999 one). It's like the headlamp washers, the Fords have it, but not the T2's.

My 1994 Terrano has the dim dip headlights, I seem to remember it was something introduced by the government in the interests of improved road safety, and fitted to cars of that period under protest by the manufacturers as it increased production costs.

When it was realised that other countries would not follow suit it was quietly dropped. I think it was only law for about a year.

 

[millie2]

Any idea why the bit the bulb plugs into melted? Had the same happen to me and it was so badly melted that it looked like there was real potential that the truck could have gone on fire with a bit of bad luck. Plastic covers on the wires had frayed (or possibly been nibbled by rodents by the look of it) and wires must have touched. Wires were fairly corroded anyway and I cut them out and replaced them. If you wires are as corroded as mine were you wouldn't be getting a lot of power to the bulbs.

MY OLD ONE DID CATCH FIRE due to this. No idea why though. KEV.

 

[rustic]

I fitted the Night Breaker H4 head light bulbs over Christmas and my Connectors and the rubber boot are still like new.

I can guarantee that these are the originals and are nearly 18 years old.

The question is...

Have people used 100 watt bulbs?

Fitted them incorrectly so the heat from the bulb isn't dissipated in the holder?

Poor quality fittings on later models, remember Nissan also dropped the Auto Hubs, and removed the grease nipples on the front prop shaft to save a few pence?:doh:doh Under seal was not as good either.

So is it the cost cut Terranos that are facing this problem... and the earlier Ford Mavericks not? I can only go by my Mav on this one.:nenau

Worth thinking about.

Best regards,

Rustic

 

[coco777]

Just checked and can confirm that both elements are glowing, both on dip and high beam.

 

[rustic]

Just checked and can confirm that both elements are glowing, both on dip and high beam.

Probably bad earth then.

One of the 3 connectors connects to both elements, that is the earth, the other side of each element goes to each of the other two connections, so meter them out.

Check the voltage on each connector.:thumbs

 

[coco777]

Probably bad earth then.

One of the 3 connectors connects to both elements, that is the earth, the other side of each element goes to each of the other two connections, so meter them out.

Check the voltage on each connector.:thumbs

Will do cheers.

 

[danielj]

I fitted the Night Breaker H4 head light bulbs over Christmas and my Connectors and the rubber boot are still like new.

I can guarantee that these are the originals and are nearly 18 years old.

The question is...

Have people used 100 watt bulbs?

Fitted them incorrectly so the heat from the bulb isn't dissipated in the holder?

Poor quality fittings on later models, remember Nissan also dropped the Auto Hubs, and removed the grease nipples on the front prop shaft to save a few pence?:doh:doh Under seal was not as good either.

So is it the cost cut Terranos that are facing this problem... and the earlier Ford Mavericks not? I can only go by my Mav on this one.:nenau

Worth thinking about.

Best regards,

Rustic

Definately had not used 100 watt bulbs on mine, just standard H4's, Bosch or generics. Thinking it was corroded coatings on the wires that led to my bulb fitment melting.

 

[glanrichbex]

Probably bad earth then.

One of the 3 connectors connects to both elements, that is the earth, the other side of each element goes to each of the other two connections, so meter them out.

Check the voltage on each connector.:thumbs

Voltage will not change even if you connect a 1Meggaohm resistor in series - it will always be the same as the battery voltage unless you load it. If you are doing voltage measurements, the bulb must be connected across it.

I suspect the wiring has been overheated and it is behaving just as a resistor lowering the current available.

 

[coco777]

I cut the old earth cable off the bulb holder and connected a new earth which I fitted to the negative terminal, but the bulb still lights both elements on main and dip beams.

 

[rustic]

I cut the old earth cable off the bulb holder and connected a new earth which I fitted to the negative terminal, but the bulb still lights both elements on main and dip beams.

have you done this to both sides, just in case?

 

[coco777]

have you done this to both sides, just in case?

No, should I do ?

 

[rustic]

No, should I do ?

worth checking the wiring to earth on the other side.

Then at least the earth issue is sorted.

You then need to measure the voltage on the other two terminals of the bulb. edit.. with the bulb in and glowing.

I'm just going to re read this thread again.. edit... have done...


Just for the record, when the filiaments are dim...
What position is the headlight switch in?
Is the engine running?
If not, what position is the ignition key in?

Edit
Once we have the voltages from the bulb connections when the bulbs are glowing, then you will need to consider a relay issue or even a faulty switch on the steering wheel, but if there is a voltage drop from these... something will be getting quite warm....



best regards, Rustic

 

[coco777]

worth checking the wiring to earth on the other side.

Then at least the earth issue is sorted.

You then need to measure the voltage on the other two terminals of the bulb. edit.. with the bulb in and glowing.

I'm just going to re read this thread again.. edit... have done...


Just for the record, when the filiaments are dim...
What position is the headlight switch in?
Is the engine running?
If not, what position is the ignition key in?

Edit
Once we have the voltages from the bulb connections when the bulbs are glowing, then you will need to consider a relay issue or even a faulty switch on the steering wheel, but if there is a voltage drop from these... something will be getting quite warm....



best regards, Rustic

I'll earth the other headlight and get my mate to come down to take the voltages after lunch.

The bulb gets really hot (much hotter than the passnger side bulb) when both filaments are glowing.

With or without engine running, on dip or on main beam, the drivers headlight is dim with both filaments glowing, whilst the passenger headlight is approx 30% brighter and works correctly with each filament lighting individually and not together.

Cheers for your help Rustic :thumbs