Just bought a 240sx... headlights dont go down (system may have been modified)

[fireslave]

So I got a 92 coupe, finally. Other than the fact that alot of little things are broken, its pretty sweet.

The headlights were stuck up when i purchased the car. I can crank them down manually, and they will pop up, but only if i flash the high beam or press the headlight button. turning on the low beams does not make them pop up.

I removed all 3 relays by the air filter, i figured switching them might help me out in some say (atleast figure out what was wrong) but to my surprise, the lack of the relays has no effect... the headlights still pop up with either the button or the high beams.

The box by the air filter has the other relay, which i removed, and not surprisingly, they didnt move at all with no relays.

I think this car has been modified (well, i know it has, but specifically the headlights) theres a small potentiometer looking dial mounted by the passenger side relay box... looks pretty non-stock, but maybe i am dumb. (kinda looks like the a pivot controller, but its not dressed up or anything)

The motors run strong when they pop-up the lights, so its not that. I first though that the shaft that connects the light to the motor was causing binding at the up position because it was set too long, but I adjusted it to the proper height, and the motor can be spun freely with the knobs pretty easily now.

I was surprised that the headlights would even raise with only one of the relays in place, but i've never dealt with pop-ups before.

Could it just be that I have some bad relays by the airbox? what relays need to work to lower the headlights?

I did a search, but i have yet to find out what exactly each relay does, or what pins in the relay box I can stab with my multimeter to find out where the problem is...

Man, It's good to finally have a 240...

[Kraelic]

I also need to look into this on my car, the lights popped open one day and did not go back down. I can crank them down unplugged then reconnect them and they stay down untill I need light again. If I try when they are connected they will take over closing then pop back up immidiately.

I think the lights default to open if there is a problem other than the motors. I had the switch out and they opened, then they closed once I put the switch back. It could be a bad switch, or a bad relay, or both. Had they been stuck closed I would have chased the wiring already, but here I have been waiting to see if anyone already had an answer. Looks like I have a date with a multimeter soon.

[numbnuts240]

Looks like I have a date with a multimeter soon.

start out with drinks before dinner, it helps to loosen everyone up a bit and breaks the tension.

[amolao]

start out with drinks before dinner, it helps to loosen everyone up a bit and breaks the tension.

Don't forget the box of chocolates....

[chaosli]

something went its stock mine is the same now i just ignor it and when i need the light i turn to lowbeam and flick the highbeam it stays open untill i shut it off

[fireslave]

i was just thinking about testing the relays... shouldnt i just be able to use my battery to energize the relay and then test the conductivity?

i dont have the parts with me right now, but as i recall, they have a diagram of the functionality on them, but no indication of what pins connect to what part.

anyone know how to test the three relays on the driver side? I know the one on the passenger side is working because the headlights will go up just fine...

[comatoseculture]

I might be suggesting the obvious, but I didn't see any mention of it.

One time I was dusting my interior. Next time I hooked up a battery, the light popped open and scared me. Then i started doing what you are doing, feeling like, what the screw? these motors work, but won't go down. Then I realized that on the dash towards the drivers window is a seperate headlight pop up switch. I bumped it while dusting.

You can use the turn signal stick to turn them on and pull them up, OR you can use the button on the left to pop them up.

Long story short. go in your car and look at the top left of the dash by the wheel for a switch that only puts the lights up or down.

hope it helps, and if I'm wrong, goodluck.

[numbnuts240]

i was just thinking about the head light switch. also check to see that the brown wire hasn't been cut, that will make your controls all wacky if you didn't know it was done.

Don't forget the box of chocolates....

it's the first date, you don't swing for the fences on the first date. unless she's a whore, then swing away.

[Valiant240sx]

You can always check your relays by forcing the top off and leaving it plugged in and testing with a test light, atleast thats what I did when i was having the same problem. Mine ended up being he H/L Ret Down Relay, cost me 8 bucks at advance. Hope that helps

[DrifterXRPS13]

i was just thinking about the head light switch. also check to see that the brown wire hasn't been cut, that will make your controls all wacky if you didn't know it was done.

it's the first date, you don't swing for the fences on the first date. unless she's a whore, then swing away.

like numbnuts said, somebody might have done the sleepy eye mod ad cut the wire...also check the relay like the dude above said.

or she might swing away at you...if your into that kind of thing.

[snwbrdr435]

I might be suggesting the obvious, but I didn't see any mention of it.

One time I was dusting my interior. Next time I hooked up a battery, the light popped open and scared me. Then i started doing what you are doing, feeling like, what the screw? these motors work, but won't go down. Then I realized that on the dash towards the drivers window is a seperate headlight pop up switch. I bumped it while dusting.

You can use the turn signal stick to turn them on and pull them up, OR you can use the button on the left to pop them up.

Long story short. go in your car and look at the top left of the dash by the wheel for a switch that only puts the lights up or down.

hope it helps, and if I'm wrong, goodluck.

Ouch

[fireslave]

I already tired pressing the headlight button. Actually, the button works to pop-up the lights, but it wont put them down.

High beams also pop-up the lights, but low beams dont. I dont actually have the beams installed at the moment, but i doubt that would make a difference.

I'm going to check the brown wire when I get home...

[fireslave]

brown wire wasnt cut, atleast not anywhere that was visible with the 3 inches of wiring i could see when i pulled the button out...

there are a few loose wires under the hood, though, that might be related.

one is a black wire with a black two-plug connector that is located by the airbox. theres also a black and white 2 conductor wire thats just chilling there, doing nothing...

i also noticed that if i pull the relays out of the drivers side, i can set the lights to wherever i want with the manual knob, and they wont pop up until i flash the highbeams or press the button. however, with those relays installed, they always move to the up position as soon as i re-connect the battery. if i try to turn the knobs with the battery installed, as soon as i move it a little bit, it kicks back to where it was...

...stupid electrical systems...

[amolao]

The light continuity loop is a complicate monster, when it comes to 240sx's. By your symptoms seems like there is a break in the loop that manages the down action of the headlights or a missing signal confusing the relays. What's the condition of the gauge cluster...?? Looks clean, maybe swapped at one time..??? If the illumination path is interrupted (also goes thru the cluster..) it will confuse light control and consequently the relays.