1986 s12 headlight problem

[murdersb]

so the headlights pop up and go down but they dont turn on sometimes, anyone have suggestions besides changing the lights???

[ProudNissanFreak]

Blown fuse maybe?

[sabretooth91]

so the headlights pop up and go down but they dont turn on sometimes, anyone have suggestions besides changing the lights???

"sometimes" meaning, they turn on on occasion, but other times they don't turn on. Do they flicker? or is it, you get lucky and they both turn on? Otherwise, they're both off? Or is one off and the other is on? It seems like there is probably a bad connection in the wire where it splits from the switch that you turn, into two wires. One for the motor that lifts the lights, and the other that powers the bulb. If a fuse was blown, they would never turn on.
If they always flip up, then the initial switch is good. I'd check the wire after it splits in the two directions. If both headlights behave the same way at the same time, then the offending wire would be after the switch, and before the split to right/left headlights. That might narrow it down. If you can locate the two ends, try just running your own bypass wire or something.
After so much time, the twisted wires corrode and I can see them having poor connections, especially for something that sources a relatively high current to the headlights.

[murdersb]

the problem was in the switch thanks for the advice, it wasnt the wire but the metal prongs in the switch that were no good

[sabretooth91]

the problem was in the switch thanks for the advice, it wasnt the wire but the metal prongs in the switch that were no good

ah ha. the actual switch that you turn at the steering column?