02 Pathfinder headlight problem

[07quest]

Have 02 Pathfinder SE, no daytime running lights. Low beam, parking lights and fog lights work. When turn on high beams only the driver side works, passenger side low beam goes off and high beam does not come on. Switched headlight bulbs and still does the same thing.
Any ideas appreciated!

[VStar650CL]

The DRL's on Canadian R50's are a "dimbulb" setup where a DRL Controller puts the high beam elements in parallel for high beam but in series for DRL, so each bulb sees only half the voltage. You can see the details and wiring diagram here starting on EL-44:
https://www.nicoclub.com/service-manual ... 2%2Fel.pdf

The DRL Controller is tucked up at the front of the righthand fender behind the battery, see connectors E45 and E46 on the Engine Room Harness diagram on EL-464. Problems in Canadian DRL's are most often from broken or degraded solder joints inside the DRL Controller. Opening the unit to retouch all the solder joints on the circuit board will fix them about 90% of the time. There's also an easy fix to wire the headlights direct if you're not in Canada anymore, just google something like "2002 pathfinder DRL controller" and you'll get plenty of hits.

[07quest]

Our Pathfinder does not have DRL not a Canadian vehicle. Do you have any other ideas?

[VStar650CL]

Aargh, my bad, I must have skipped the "no" in daytime running lights. The R50 headlights are set up a little differently from most, they have power all the time through the headlight relays and the Combination Switch drives ground to the low or high beam element as selected (see the WD on EL-37). The fact that they both work in some fashion rules out the relays, so it's almost certain the problem is inside the Combination Switch.

[07quest]

It's ok, I do that myself. Thanks for the update guess will have to replace it. Have a great day!

[VStar650CL]

[07quest]

I replaced the combination switch and there is no change in headlight function. The low beam goes off on passenger side when turning on high beam... no high beam either, totally dark on passenger side. Anyone with any ideas? Appreciate any ideas!

[VStar650CL]

The low beam is actually supposed to go off when the high beam is on, you can see on EL-37 that the low element is disconnected from ground when the stalk is in the High or Pass positions. Kind of a weird design by recent standards, but that's what the diagram indicates. That means only your driver's side is actually misbehaving. The one thing both elements share is the ground connection, and those are somewhat notorious for smoking up on Pathies, Xterras, and Frontiers. Take a look at the middle pin on the driver's headlight connector and see if it's blackened. If so, you need to get a repair pigtail and replace the connector.