Headlights going on and off while driving - Land Rovers Only

williampdx · 05-31-2006, 03:07 PM

Any help on this would be great. I would love to fix this myself if possible. A few days ago while driving down the street at night, my headlights quit operating. I pulled over to check things out and found that all of my other lights were operating properly. I tapped the turn signal/headlamp switch and everything came back on. I drove home and the few times the lights went out, I quickly just applied a bit of twisting pressure and they all came on again! Sounds like a short to me.

Does anyone have any advice on how to go about fixing this, other than taking in for repair. I have already done other work on my car with great results including front brakes, o2 sensors, etc, so I think my abilities are up to the challenge.

Thanks for any help in advance!

William

Discodude19 · 05-31-2006, 04:46 PM

Where are you located? I know sounds dumb but did you check all your fuses?

williampdx · 05-31-2006, 05:19 PM

I am located in Portland, OR. You know I didn't think about fuses being the problem since the lights come on and off. The only thing I can think about is that a few weeks ago, while trying to wire in an ipod connection to my exisiting LR stereo, a small spark occurred. Afterwards, I noticed that the stereo, and the climate controls no longer work. That is on the list to fix next. I didnt think they would be related to my headlight issue since the headlight issue is easily fixed with slightly turning the turn signal. Any thoughts?

Muddy Oval · 05-31-2006, 10:21 PM

DI's go through light switches almost as fast as they go through gas.

pavel · 06-01-2006, 05:34 PM

Is it possible to spray some 'contact cleaner' into the switch? I've used the stuff successfully on many corroded contacts on other vehicles.

Muddy Oval · 06-01-2006, 06:36 PM

They self-destruct inside... usually not dirty contacts, but broken plstic, missing springs or contact balls... yes, I said contact balls... insert joke.

williampdx · 06-02-2006, 10:12 AM

Does anyone know how to remove or take this apart so I can research this or replace it?

Muddy Oval · 06-02-2006, 10:39 AM

Pull steering column cover- then remove switch. Once you take the switch apart, you won't be able to use the truck until you ge the replacement since only certain Land Rover ninjas have ever got one back together once taking apart the switch.

williampdx · 06-03-2006, 09:40 AM

Well I will keep you posted. I am hoping to attain ninja status today. In case I fail, does anyone have a recommendation where I can purchase a replacement just in case I have to rush an order tonight?

williampdx · 06-19-2006, 10:14 PM

Well, obviously I don't drive my car every day or I would have gotten to this sooner. I took a few of the screws out to loosen the switch. For some reason, it WILL NOT pull out of there! Any ideas? Anyone?

Disco Mike · 06-20-2006, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by williampdx

Well I will keep you posted. I am hoping to attain ninja status today. In case I fail, does anyone have a recommendation where I can purchase a replacement just in case I have to rush an order tonight?

Try Atlantic British or Rover Connection.
By the way, Steve knows what he is talking about so order and have the swich in hand before you tear into it.
Good luck,
Mike

Muddy Oval · 06-20-2006, 06:52 AM

Are you sure you got all the screws out? It's a beeyach sometimes to get the switch out- there are locking tabs that snap it into place but they are hard to get to. On my DI, I just grabbed the stalk and yanked the $#!^ out of it towards the door and it popped off while also causing me to smack myself in the nose with it.
The switches are available from many sources, but insist on a "real" one- there's some aftermarket ones that are horrible.

williampdx · 07-12-2006, 12:46 PM

Okay, finally and end to the story! I did have all the screws out, you just need to put some muscle into it and pull it out towards the drivers window. It snapped out, and I put the new one in in about 3 minutes. Everything works perfectly now! BTW, I didn't follow everyones advice and get a new switch. I found the exact one I needed on eBay for $40. We will see how it goes! Now, if I can fix the stereo/climate control wiring issues! Anyone want to help me on this one - I am baffled and at a stand still... See my other post!

05-31-2006, 03:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
williampdx Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 24 Gallery: 0	Headlights going on and off while driving Any help on this would be great. I would love to fix this myself if possible. A few days ago while driving down the street at night, my headlights quit operating. I pulled over to check things out and found that all of my other lights were operating properly. I tapped the turn signal/headlamp switch and everything came back on. I drove home and the few times the lights went out, I quickly just applied a bit of twisting pressure and they all came on again! Sounds like a short to me. Does anyone have any advice on how to go about fixing this, other than taking in for repair. I have already done other work on my car with great results including front brakes, o2 sensors, etc, so I think my abilities are up to the challenge. Thanks for any help in advance! William

05-31-2006, 10:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Muddy Oval Otherwise known as STEVE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,968 Gallery: 0	DI's go through light switches almost as fast as they go through gas. __________________ 2002 Freelander 2000 DII w/CDL 1967 SIIA 109SW Former Rovers 2004 Modded "S" Disco, R.I.P. 2004 G4 Disco 2002 Modded Freelander 1995 Modded Disco 1994 D-90 #8 1993 NAS D110 1990 Range Rover County 1973 SIII 88 1972 Range Rover 2 door

06-01-2006, 06:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
Muddy Oval Otherwise known as STEVE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,968 Gallery: 0	They self-destruct inside... usually not dirty contacts, but broken plstic, missing springs or contact balls... yes, I said contact balls... insert joke. __________________ 2002 Freelander 2000 DII w/CDL 1967 SIIA 109SW Former Rovers 2004 Modded "S" Disco, R.I.P. 2004 G4 Disco 2002 Modded Freelander 1995 Modded Disco 1994 D-90 #8 1993 NAS D110 1990 Range Rover County 1973 SIII 88 1972 Range Rover 2 door

06-02-2006, 10:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
Muddy Oval Otherwise known as STEVE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,968 Gallery: 0	Pull steering column cover- then remove switch. Once you take the switch apart, you won't be able to use the truck until you ge the replacement since only certain Land Rover ninjas have ever got one back together once taking apart the switch. __________________ 2002 Freelander 2000 DII w/CDL 1967 SIIA 109SW Former Rovers 2004 Modded "S" Disco, R.I.P. 2004 G4 Disco 2002 Modded Freelander 1995 Modded Disco 1994 D-90 #8 1993 NAS D110 1990 Range Rover County 1973 SIII 88 1972 Range Rover 2 door

06-20-2006, 06:52 AM	#12 (permalink)
Muddy Oval Otherwise known as STEVE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,968 Gallery: 0	Are you sure you got all the screws out? It's a beeyach sometimes to get the switch out- there are locking tabs that snap it into place but they are hard to get to. On my DI, I just grabbed the stalk and yanked the $#!^ out of it towards the door and it popped off while also causing me to smack myself in the nose with it. The switches are available from many sources, but insist on a "real" one- there's some aftermarket ones that are horrible. __________________ 2002 Freelander 2000 DII w/CDL 1967 SIIA 109SW Former Rovers 2004 Modded "S" Disco, R.I.P. 2004 G4 Disco 2002 Modded Freelander 1995 Modded Disco 1994 D-90 #8 1993 NAS D110 1990 Range Rover County 1973 SIII 88 1972 Range Rover 2 door

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05-31-2006, 04:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Discodude19 I would rather die on my feet then live on my knees. Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 121 Gallery: 0	Where are you located? I know sounds dumb but did you check all your fuses?

05-31-2006, 05:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
williampdx Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 24 Gallery: 0	I am located in Portland, OR. You know I didn't think about fuses being the problem since the lights come on and off. The only thing I can think about is that a few weeks ago, while trying to wire in an ipod connection to my exisiting LR stereo, a small spark occurred. Afterwards, I noticed that the stereo, and the climate controls no longer work. That is on the list to fix next. I didnt think they would be related to my headlight issue since the headlight issue is easily fixed with slightly turning the turn signal. Any thoughts?

06-01-2006, 05:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
pavel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 421 Gallery: 0	Is it possible to spray some 'contact cleaner' into the switch? I've used the stuff successfully on many corroded contacts on other vehicles.

06-02-2006, 10:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
williampdx Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 24 Gallery: 0	Does anyone know how to remove or take this apart so I can research this or replace it?

06-03-2006, 09:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
williampdx Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 24 Gallery: 0	Well I will keep you posted. I am hoping to attain ninja status today. In case I fail, does anyone have a recommendation where I can purchase a replacement just in case I have to rush an order tonight?

06-19-2006, 10:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
williampdx Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 24 Gallery: 0	Well, obviously I don't drive my car every day or I would have gotten to this sooner. I took a few of the screws out to loosen the switch. For some reason, it WILL NOT pull out of there! Any ideas? Anyone?

07-12-2006, 12:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
williampdx Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 24 Gallery: 0	Okay, finally and end to the story! I did have all the screws out, you just need to put some muscle into it and pull it out towards the drivers window. It snapped out, and I put the new one in in about 3 minutes. Everything works perfectly now! BTW, I didn't follow everyones advice and get a new switch. I found the exact one I needed on eBay for $40. We will see how it goes! Now, if I can fix the stereo/climate control wiring issues! Anyone want to help me on this one - I am baffled and at a stand still... See my other post!

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