I guess the title of my post pretty much says it all. My headlights work fine on low beams, but when I switch to high beams I lose all my headlights completely. Sometimes they come on after a few seconds in high mode, sometimes they never switch up and I am stuck with only low beams. I know I have seen a thread about this somewhere on this website before, but I will be darned if I can find it. Any help would be appreciated. I assume the problem is a relay or ground, but any tips would be great.
FJ62 Headlights go out when I switch to brights
- Thread starter rcarlson
- Start date
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This is one of those issues where the factory service manual comes in real handy. I'm away from mine right now, but IIRC, there is a relay that supplies power for the lights (both high and low) and the circuit is grounded through the switch. The "high-low" function changes whether the ground is applied to the high beams or low beams. If you don't get any satisfaction here, PM me and I'll take a look in the wiring diagram in my FSM later to see if there are any other components in the circuit.
First thought is that your switch is acting up.... does the situation change it you wiggle the switch lever when the highs are on? I think some have had success cleaning the contacts on them, that may be what you recall from another thread. Perhaps a short... but you'd think that would blow a fuse..
First thought is that your switch is acting up.... does the situation change it you wiggle the switch lever when the highs are on? I think some have had success cleaning the contacts on them, that may be what you recall from another thread. Perhaps a short... but you'd think that would blow a fuse..
My thought too switch. Mike
- Thread starter
- #4
found the old thread, tore the column apart a little bit ago, took the switch out, cleaned the contacts, re-assembled it. Took it out and drove it tonight, switch works much better, but I could still get it to malfunction occasionally, but re-trying it worked every time. I am guessing that I found the problem, but just didnt clean the contacts enough. It only took about an hour start to finish, so I might tear it down again and try to clean it better, maybe a little contact grease too.
This is the thread you are looking for...
Hey rcarlson - try this one:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/110746-high-beam-lights-fixed-finally.html
If you really want to clean the contacts good so that it works right every time, try using a fine abrasive as described in my write up. Contact cleaner didn't do the trick for me.
Good luck, and post back your results. Welcome to Mud!
-Screwbird
Hey rcarlson - try this one:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/110746-high-beam-lights-fixed-finally.html
If you really want to clean the contacts good so that it works right every time, try using a fine abrasive as described in my write up. Contact cleaner didn't do the trick for me.
Good luck, and post back your results. Welcome to Mud!
-Screwbird
I had the exact same problem, which is why it failed its yearly inspection at the time.
In my case the auto electrician said it was a build up of dust and dirt inside the switch, and he took it apart and cleaned it, and that fixed it. Had no problems since.
So yeah, as has already been said, maybe a simple matter of giving it a good clean.
In my case the auto electrician said it was a build up of dust and dirt inside the switch, and he took it apart and cleaned it, and that fixed it. Had no problems since.
So yeah, as has already been said, maybe a simple matter of giving it a good clean.
I am going to try this out this week. Thanks for the post and link. I had noticed this problem a few times and by wiggling the arm for the dimmer it started working so the problem is in my switch and not a relay. Pics and results to follow.
my guess was switch or wiring (grounding out). I would look for chaffed wires if cleaning the switch doesn't solve 100%.
I almost have this exact same problem. when the brights are on the lights just cut out completly, no lows or highs, just black and scary, then you flick the highbeams and they come right back on.
I'd say it is most likely your switch.
I had a similar problem. No low beams at all. When high beams were switched on, all four lights worked great. But that didn't go over so well with the oncoming traffic.
Thanks to a load of great advice from folks here I turned my attention to the switch. Took the switch out and cleaned it up. The problem seemed fixed at first but has now become intermittent. I just went ahead and bough a used switch on ebay. Will install it this weekend and keep my fingers crossed.
I had a similar problem. No low beams at all. When high beams were switched on, all four lights worked great. But that didn't go over so well with the oncoming traffic.
Thanks to a load of great advice from folks here I turned my attention to the switch. Took the switch out and cleaned it up. The problem seemed fixed at first but has now become intermittent. I just went ahead and bough a used switch on ebay. Will install it this weekend and keep my fingers crossed.
