1994 Q45 headlight broken

[coolman]

I have a 1994 Q45 headlight passenger side where the low beam does not work, but the hight beam does work. I took it to a Jiffy Lube and they swapped out that bulb with a known good one and it still did not work. I personally checked the fuses located next to the parking brake release and all fuses are good. I used a fuse checker you can buy at an autoparts store.

What should I check next? The Jiffy Lube guy suggested I take it to a mechanical-electrical person to check the wires.

Thanks,

[coolman]

Also, I am assuming the headlight's fuse box is located next the the parking brake release lever. Is that true? Or, is it somewhere under the hood and where?

[Infinitiguy19]

Check the engine bay fuse box, Its near the battery and has a "L" shaped cover.

[coolman]

I checked the fuse box near the battery using a fuse checker and all is fine. I noticed that when I turn on the high beam, both low and high beam bulbs turn on (works on both sides). This tells me the bulb is working. There must be some internal switching going on to select low beam (use 1 bulb per side) or high beam (use 2 bulbs per side). Is there anything else I should check?

[maxnix]

The headlights are switched by relays on the later G50, but one probably controls each beam level.

Follow the diagram in the FSM and trace yours.

[coolman]

When I switched the high beams, both low and high beam bulbs on both sides light up. Is it safe to say that the ballasts is NOT the problem? I am trying to narrow down the problem. I suspect it is the Headlamp Relay which I can buy at autozone.com for $57, PN: 20242. Can someone verify that this part is indeed what I need to replace the Headlamp Relay?

[qship96]

I have a 1994 Q45 headlight passenger side where the low beam does not work, but the hight beam does work. I took it to a Jiffy Lube and they swapped out that bulb with a known good one and it still did not work. I personally checked the fuses located next to the parking brake release and all fuses are good. I used a fuse checker you can buy at an autoparts store.

What should I check next? The Jiffy Lube guy suggested I take it to a mechanical-electrical person to check the wires.

Thanks,

Your last sentence in the above post is the next logical step before you throw parts at it.

[1996QShip]

I bought relays from autozone. Not the same as OEM.

[Q451990]

When I switched the high beams, both low and high beam bulbs on both sides light up. Is it safe to say that the ballasts is NOT the problem?

There's no ballast in a halogen bulb system. Just little wires going from your stalk switch, to relays that feed larger wires. I think it's most likely that you either have a bad switch, or a bad relay box. If you're somewhat comfortable using a multimeter and reading the factory service manual, then I would start at the switch and work forward. If not, it's either time for professional help - or throwing parts at it. Neither of these parts are common failure items, so I would feel comfortable trying used parts. If you happen to have a pull-a-part style junkyard nearby with a 94-96 Q in stock, that's your best bet.

Good luck!

Heath

[coolman]

I bought the replacement headlamp relay from autozone.com for $57 + tax, PN: 20242. It was a speacial order and took about 3 days and I picked it up at a local autozone store.

I finally took the time to do the replacement myself. I had to remove the car battery, unbolt the coolant reservoir/overflow and push it aside, and unbolt the headlamp relay. I also removed the top cover to the fuse box which is next to the relay to get some working room. I could not get to one of the bolts holding the relay, so I bought a flex screwdriver extension rod for about $7 at home depot. The bolts on the relay and cooland reservoir/overflow can accept a socket/wrench or a screwdriver tool.

Once I replaced the damaged relay with the new one, the headlamp worked perfectly. I probably saved a lot of money compared with the dealer or local mechanic. I did waste about $50 + tax for 2 headlamp bulbs from Jiffy Lube which I did not need. Overall, I still saved money.

I opened the old headlamp relay and the green PCB board looked good. I did see one solder connection that was not completly soldered or it got shorted and heated up causing the solder to come off. I am sure a quick fix would be to resolder that connection back on which would take about 5 minutes total to do. Maybe I can sell the old part on ebay.

Thanks,

[Q451990]

Glad to hear you got it working!

Heath

[BadQ45t]

the only distrubing part of this is that you take a Q to JiffyLube One place that I wouldn't take the wife's sentra...............

[maxnix]

the only distrubing part of this is that you take a Q to JiffyLube One place that I wouldn't take the wife's sentra...............

Or my worst enemy's anything. OP better check he still has his under engine tray.

Blue relays were $20 each at IoS. Who knows what they cost now?