Brian B

I need help...When I parked the car for the winter, everything was working properly (aside from my passenger door handle that died an miserable death) and now that its getting warmer, my headlights have decided to stop working. When I turn the switch, the headlights come up but not on. All of the other lights work. I have a feeling that its the relay, but since I have an OB, a replacement relay is impossible to locate. I cleaned the contacts on the relay and checked for bad fuses.

How do I begin to troubleshoot? When I turn the headlight switch to the on position, I hear a click in the relay.

Thanks,
Brian
79 Euro OB
Petroblau Metallic

DKWalser

Have you tried replacing the bulbs? Granted that it would be unusual for them both to burn out at the same time, but stranger things have happened.

Brian B

I haven't tried that. I figured that the odds of both of them going at once was pretty slim so I have been looking at electrics.

GuardsTurbo

Have you tested the relay to make sure it works?

davek9

If its an original Relay it is most likely time, I changed one out two years ago for the exact same reason, but the problem returned in 2 months. Turned out to be a bad "new" relay, so don't be surprised as there were some bad one's being made out there.

A known good from another car solved it quickly for me.

jwillman

I had same symptoms and turned out to be a dying ignition switch. Try backing off the ignition switch to see if you get the headlights to come on. As the switch ages the start and run positions become less distinct and those positions are tied to allot of different accessory functionalities.

Brian B

Thanks! I'll try it. I never would have thought of that

chfs911

It is the relay. Just had the same thing on 92 GTS.

Wisconsin Joe

The relay is a good first guess, but the contacts in the motor could also be the culprit.

There are contacts that tell the relay to turn the bulbs on when the lights reach "full up."

If they got "grungy" over winter, then the lights might not turn on.

Do you hear the "click" in the relay when the lights reach full up? Or just when you turn the switch to "on"?

Barry Chan

Does hi beam work? If yes then maybe the wire.....it was for mine.

Brian B

high beams are working...

I'm hearing the click when I turn the lights on, after they are up.

I ordered a new (old) relay from 928 Int. Hopefully they have one in stock...

davek9

After I replaced my headlight relay w/ a NEW one a month prior and the lights stopped working, that was the next place I looked. After taking out the motor and taking it apart could not see anything wrong, cleaned and replaced, no joy

Replaced the "new" relay w/ another and there was light once again
Old cars are fun like that