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Hello everyone, I got a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4 SE 6 Sportspackage. I'm
having a problem with the headlights. Both dim lights work just fine, but
when I switch on the brights, only the right side works. I bought a new
light(these are just the plug in kind, not the entire lamp thankfully)
thinking that was the problem and nope, it wasn't. So I pulled the bulbed
and got out my tester. There are three places where the light slides in. (
- - - ) that would be brights, dims, ground. Anyway, with the tester
hooked up to the plug, the lights work correctly. But when I plug in the
light, it doesn't work. So I hooked up leads, to the ground from the plug
to the ground on the bulb and the middle(dim) on the plug to the
middle(dim) on the bulb and that worked. When I hooked up leads to the
brights, it didn't work. Any ideas?:banghead:
SillyLights
If the lamp is good, and you have 12V between high beam lead and ground
(headlights switched on high beam and ignition switch on) and the lamp is
known to be good, then there is an issue with the lamp holder/socket.
These can usually be replaced by splicing in a new one. Make sure to read
a wiring diagram and know which wire to hook up where.
tbaxleyjr
Well, I have to report that I got another socket, wired it up and that did
not fix the problem. Any other suggestions?
SillyLights
can you measure 12 volts at the socket when the brights are on?
dvdrose18
All I had at the time of testing was a regular light meter. I got a digital
tester tonight and will test how many volts it is getting tomorrow morning(
if it was parked here, I'd do it now, but I can't. ) So tomorrow I will
reply. Also, I went and got some wiring diagrams for it, so I can follow
the wires better than ripping them all from the casings :laughing: ...
Lots of questions, sorry! :screwy:
When it rains it pours. :banghead:
SillyLights
As for the starting problems you might want to start a new thread, or
search, as I believe a similar problem was discussed not to long ago.
Once you get out there with the meter, there are a couple things to measure
to help find the problem. Start with the socket. (with the brights on) From
the bright connector to the ground there should be 12 volts. If not, check
at the connection you just wired. If still no voltage I would suspect the
connection at the switch, but it probably isn't easy to get at with the
meter.
If you do get 12 volts, move to the bulb. check the continuity(or
resistance) of the bulb between the bright connector and the groung
connector. If there is no continuity(infinite resistance) the bulb is bad.
This is not likely as you say you replaced them, but things happen.
If the bulb is good, I would lean toward a bad ground. Be 200% sure you are
measuring the first measurements between the proper connections, and not
confusing the brights connection and the ground. See if you can measure 12
volts between the brights connection and the body. You might also want to
check the continuity(or resistance) between the ground connection and the
body.
dvdrose18
Did all that. Etc etc.. I just said forget it and put a jumper from the
passenger side bright to the driver side bright. I just need it to work
once for an inspection. ::hums::
SillyLights
it needs to work after the safety inspection - not troubleshooting and
fixing the issue will cause other issues too - overloaded wiring, fires,
etc.
tbaxleyjr
Yeah, I agree. I just need it to pass at the moment. I took the steering
column apart and followed many wires... There were spliced parts here and
there and everywhere. So I'm going to have to really put some work into
finding out what they did to what. ( I hate that ).
SillyLights
I have a 95 Pathfinder with the off road package too. My problem is very
similar. About a month ago I noticed both my brights didn't work. I bought
replacement bulbs and replaced both lamps. However, replacing the bulbs
only fixed one lamp. (Only one of the bulbs was really burned out) I tried
swapping out all my working bulbs in between the left and right lamp. I
even replaced the fuse just for kicks. No matter what I do I can only get
dim's working on both lamps. Bright only works on the left lamp.
ha, between your right and my left lights we have a single car that can
pass safety. We could trade off cars parts in between inspections. Or I
could sell you my pathfinder for parts. :)
brett
