'95 Pathy XE Headlight Relay Location???

[TJWZ3]

Right headlight comes on when it feels like it. I know the problem is the relay, but who hid the relay???? Does anybody have an idea on location?

[KoukiS14]

Sounds more like one contact is stuck together in the switch, because the switch doesn't receive power until the ignition is turned on. That's why it turns off with the ignition. Flaky headlight switches are common, really. I found this page with a replacement for around $55 if that'll help:Turn Signal Switch - Hardbody & Pathfinder - Cruise Control: http://www.courtesyparts.com/M...D21CC

There is no headlight relay. The power routing goes:

BatteryFuse panelHeadlight switchHeadlightsGround

Welcome to NICO!! I wasn't sure, so I did a bit of googling. 88pathoffroad is one of our members here, and is extremely knowledgeable. The post above was found on another Nissan forum, but appears relevant.

[TJWZ3]

Hey! Thanks for the reply, but this happens whenever...the key out of the ignition, middle of the night, etc. I'm sure it's the relay, just can't find it. It happens more during the heat of the day...when it's cold outside, it hardly happens at all. I've checked wiring harness diagrams, schematics showing relay locations. Researched TO DEATH. Still can't find the relay. I've pulled all the relays, one by one, and checked the headlights after pulling each one...they still come on, so obviously, not the correct relay!

[californiak]

It's the switch, take it off and clean the contacts with electronic cleaner or if you are carefull use like 1000 grid sand paper to gently clean the carbon deposits off of the contacts.

Good luck.

[TJWZ3]

That could be a possibility when the ignition switch is on, but the right light comes on with the ignition switch off. There is no power to the headlight switch until the ignition switch is turned on. If the relay were to close, the ignition switch would not need to be on to get power to the right headlight, leading to my insistance there is a relay in the system. The schematic for this vehicle shows one single relay for both headlights, but the picture of the wiring harness shows the relay location as being in the lower left corner of the dash, near the fusebox. I've pulled the relay that it shows, and both headlights still come on, proving (to me, at least) that the picture shows an incorrect location for the relay. If anyone can dispute my logic for the existence of a relay, please educate me!

[timmack]

if your headlights dont normally work with the ignition switch off, thats a 1st for me. ive never seen a car that wouldnt let you turn the lights on with the key out of the ignition. maybe im misunderstanding the post? vodka and oj will do that to a person.

[KoukiS14]

if your headlights dont normally work with the ignition switch off, thats a 1st for me. ive never seen a car that wouldnt let you turn the lights on with the key out of the ignition. maybe im misunderstanding the post? vodka and oj will do that to a person.

Unless he's coming from the German / Euro world. I've never seen a Nissan that doesn't have power to headlights when the ignition switch is off. VWs, for example, don't have power in that situation.

Your headlights should turn on regardless of key position. Hope this helps.

As far as the existence of a relay, I'm not sure -- I'm hoping one of our WD21 guys will come in here. If I had one, I'd be out there right now looking around for it. I can tell you that my 99.5 def. has a relay, and the other two Nissans I've owned have had them.

[californiak]

The headlights are not switched by ignition key, they work independently. It is the switch, I had the same problem, take it of and pry the semitransparent plastic off where you see the contacts. Clean the contacts real good, make sure you do not bend them up or they will not work. Careful with that. Trust me.

[TJWZ3]

I'd like a little salt with my crow, please!You're correct about the lights working with the key off. Brain Fart, sorry.I'll clean the switch and see if it does it again. Thanks a bunch for your help!

[KoukiS14]

I hope it works out -- you have a Z3? I'm guessing that maybe you have a German car background.

If so, how ya like it?

[TJWZ3]

I have 2, actually. A '96 that needs a little bodywork, a windshield, and a convertible top, thanks to three 4X4 signposts. That one is a 4 cyl.The other is a '97 convertible with a straight 6. Fun cars to drive, but they give you a feeling of confidence you shouldn't have...hence, the three 4X4 signposts. The road got a little narrow for the slide at 65mph.

[KoukiS14]

I've noticed that with all the BMWs I've driven. . I'm surprised I've never crashed one. I did roll an 03 C230 tho -- I thought it was the same as a BMW. I learned.

I would love a Z3.

[TJWZ3]

Mine are OK for around town, and a quick trip up to about 100 miles. All the surfaces are HARD, and the seats (although electric and heated) are a little shy of comfort if you go very far. A little thin on padding. The armrests are not for your elbows, they are there for something to pull the door shut with. The center console is high, good for an armrest, but NOT padded, and BLACK plastic. PAINFULL in the summer. As far as mechanically, they're a dream...almost no maintenance. The computer tells you when you need an oil service or a complete service. The transmission is a sealed unit, not even a dipstick! Parking is a breeze at 13' long. Fits anywhere. The trunk is large enough to hold golf clubs and bag. I don't golf, but that's how big the trunk is. (Perfect for when your wife wants to go shopping )

[crazyspaniard23]

Your replies to the posts on this topic were halpful and I was wondering if you could help me with a similar problem. I am also having a headlight problem where my headlights work on and off. Sometimes they will stay on and then go out after a minute of driving. I am also having problems with the wipers which leads me to believe it is the combo switch. The wipers will come on and stay on all by themselves and I will have to shut the car off to fix the problem. Other times the wipers will not work in the low setting and only work in the higher settings. However ever since the problem started if I leave my car car sit for more than two days my battery is drained which leads me to believe it is a short. My question is can a faulty combo switch create a short?

[Chuck Tribolet]

As far as the original 2008 poster goes, I still havemy '94 and '95 FSMs, and they don't show a relayin the headlight circuit.

[TJWZ3]

As I had been advised to do, I removed and dismantled my combo switch. The contacts were fine, and definitely NOT the problem. It also appears that there is no relay in the circuit - a bad diagram led me to that conclusion.What I DID find out, after talking to many local people, is that this system is a "HOT" system, meaning that the combo switch merely completes the circuit by offering a ground. Therefore, if a wire between the combo switch and the headlight manages to wear through and ground, either one or both of the headlights can come on. This would also pertain to anything else controlled by the combo switch. Just look for a worn through wire in the harness and tape it, then fasten it securely so it can't move and wear through again. Good luck!