'87 300 ZX: driver's headlight goes on without being switched on

[dJohnn]

The headlight goes on by itself while not switched on or while running. Jiggling the column switch lightly sometimes turns it off but it will at some point come on again by itself. I had another combination switch and changed it out without a correction of the problem.Any ideas? HelpAny help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

dJohnn

[car nut]

http://zclub.nicoclub.com/zeroforum?id=319

[evildky]

any aftermarket alarm or stereo wired into the car? kinda sounds like someone grounded to the light circuit

[AZ-ZBum]

The headlight goes on by itself while not switched on or while running. Jiggling the column switch lightly sometimes turns it off but it will at some point come on again by itself. I had another combination switch and changed it out without a correction of the problem.Any ideas? HelpAny help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

dJohnn

headlight switch. common problem. replace it.

[dJohnn]

headlight switch. common problem. replace it.

are we talking about the headlight switch in the combination switch or another one? The combination switch was replaced a few days ago, no luck there.

[dJohnn]

It has a stock alarm and the stereo was only recently put in, well after the problem started. The light problem has been going on for a while (several months; I pull the fuse for that light when it is not needed). I can't think of anything that was done as far as electrical when the problem started.I will be checking for a short/break in the wiring harness tomorrow for an unrelated fuel delivery problem, that should also allow me to inspect the wiring for this.

[AZ-ZBum]

are we talking about the headlight switch in the combination switch or another one? The combination switch was replaced a few days ago, no luck there.

Did you replace it with a new one or a used one? Did you try cleaning the replacement before installing it? Like I said. This is a common problem. So.... the chances of you getting a used headlight switch that does the same thing is very high.

The big clue here should have been:

Jiggling the column switch lightly sometimes turns it off

[Perrenial Badass]

http://z31performance.com/foru...13900

[dJohnn]

Excellent post!A friend came by when I was changing out the combo switch, he wanted to put it in for me, I let him and came back to the age old adage, 'when you want something done right...' so I will pull it out in the morning and clean the contactsas in the link you posted.

Thanks for the info and your time.

[dJohnn]

I checked the old unit for any corrosion, nothing showed up there. A friend that knows my problem picked up another switch at the wrecking yard which has not been installed yet due to another much more urgent problem with this vehicle. Whatever happens with the switch, I will get back here with with that info, at that time.

This has been consuming all my time for the past week or so:http://zclub.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=476737

Thanks, again.