NO HEADLIGHTS!

[boshi07]

Hi, I've searched the forum high and low, but I can't get my headlights to work on my 720. I've got no power at the fuse, I was told there should be constant power at the fuse. Is this true? If it's true, than where do I start looking for the problem? These datsuns are cool as heck but they stump me. I have all my other lights working fine, blinkers, running lights, dash, etc, just no freakin headlights. Thanks.

[fastboatman29212]

Just so happens I recently had a short/wiring problem with my '86 720 and so I had to do an extensive wiring review to solve the problem.

I suppose the fuse is not popping.
If you can get to the back of the fuse block, you should see wires feeding into the top half of each fuse block section. I can't recall the color of the one feeding into the block for the headlights. Use a voltmeter to see if you have power in that wire BEFORE it connects to the fuse block. You may have to carefully peel off some insulation, just be sure to cover that area back up after you test so you don't create a short.

If you have no power to that wire before the fuse block, then search for a break between the battery and the block by tracing that color wire back to the battery until you find it.

If you HAVE power to that wire before the fuse block, then check for a voltage across the fuse link at the fuse block. Unless your fuse block has been damaged, this is usually fine.

After that, trace the proper color wire to the steering column and make sure your headlight switch is working properly. It could simply be a bad switch.

You can always try to make a straight connection to the sealed beam with some spare wire to bypass the switch just to make sure the bulbs are good.

I suspect a bad switch on the column.

Let me know what you find after running some tests. There is a wrecked 82 Datsun 720 in the salvage yard near me.

[boshi07]

thanks much, will try it out!

[Aven]

Thanks, I'll be running this down this afternoon. I've recently replaced the fusible links, so I know it isn't them. Since everything seemed to be original on the truck, I picked up a headlight relay just in case.

[sawyer's720]

i was just curious. i have the same problem only its my brake lights. it's really odd to me though because the running lights work, just no brake.

[Aven]

Don't bother with JC Whitney's Guaranteed to fit headlight relay. It doesn't fit. And if you do order something from them, do not use their Smart Label for a return. They will deduct a flat fee from your return. In my case, it would have been a 1.50 more than I paid to have FEDEX take my package on a tour of the US. Priority with tracking will be about half of what they wanted to help me return their mistake for.

Looking for another source now.

[fastboatman29212]

If Sawyer's720 brake lights are out then it is probably a bad brake switch.

[sawyer's720]

a bad brake switch? where is that located?

[fastboatman29212]

Highjacking this thread is not good so I will start a new thread called "NO BRAKE LIGHTS". That way this thread can keep responding to the headlights problem.

[sup_mario]

I believe it's a wiring prob man.

[sawyer's720]

my bad boatman. didn't mean to highjack the thread. i just thought our problem was similar and as such would have similar solutions.

[fastboatman29212]

No harm done. I think my response in another thread might help you. Please go there to see my suggestions.

Click this link: no-brake-lights-t509093.html

Meanwhile, I'll keep checking back here to see if the headlight issue gets solved.

[boshi07]

Sorry took so long, work got in the way. No power at the back of my fuse block either, so gonna have to start tracing wires to the battery. FUN

[86 720]

Why don't you just bypass the headlight system and install new wiring and fuse block in the engine bay?

I ended up doing just that with a new 6 blade style fuse block powered straight from the battery. That way I could install HIDs and not worry about taxing a 24 year old wiring system.

If you want I can tell you the colors for the headlights. I'll need to go and look at my truck wiring because I just clipped the existing wires, and didn't remove them.

headlight-conversion-t471548.html

[boshi07]

hey if you could tell me which ones that would be awesome. I just rewired the rear lights by trial and error and am not up to that again in the front. I just want some headlights for crying out loud.

[86 720]

Looks like I wrapped them in electrical tape really well...


From what I can gather, the brights are solid red with two "ticks" of black.

I'll have to look again....