Strange Headlight issue

[Pathfinder3.5]

So my '02 LE has been acting up recently. My DRL's(Canada) stopped working mid way through last winter. Recently, I havent had a Passenger side Highbeam but all the other lights worked. Now a few days ago only my passenger side low beam works, no driver side. When I enable highbeams only my driverside high works. I switched the bulbs and even bought new ones and it still does the same thing.

Anyone know what is going on?

[Towncivilian]

It could be the headlight combination stalk. Is there any way to bypass the DRL module though, just to be sure it isn't that?

[Pathfinder3.5]

I looked for a DRL module under the hood but couldn't find anything. I hear a Kia Sorento calling my name....

[Towncivilian]

You said your DRLs stopped working. Did you delete the DRL system altogether?

[Pathfinder3.5]

You said your DRLs stopped working. Did you delete the DRL system altogether?

No not at all. They just quit themselves.
Here is what my headlights do in these positions:

OFF--off, supposed to be DRL
AUTO- No DRL, headlight kicks on when it gets dark with the same issue as (Headlights on)
SIDE MARKERS- Side Markers Work fine
HEADLIGHTS ON- Only the passenger side low beam works, Fog lights work, Pull the stock back and only the driver Highbeam comes on.

I bought new bulbs and same story. I switched the old ones back and forth between headlights and the problem stayed the same.

Also, just before I noticed my DRL's failed I was having some strange electrical issue. If I parked into a parking spot and got out, my truck would act as if I had no battery at all. It would come back a few minutes later. It did this once while driving and shut the entire truck completely off the on within a second.

Come to think of it this all seems to be a very bad 'electrical nightmare'

[Towncivilian]

Inspect the headlight wiring harnesses, and tighten ground screws (see page EC-188). Can you test for power and ground at the driver side headlight harness with the headlight switch set to headlights on?

[Pathfinder3.5]

Inspect the headlight wiring harnesses, and tighten ground screws (see page EC-188). Can you test for power and ground at the driver side headlight harness with the headlight switch set to headlights on?

I guess I could. I work at a car shop so I may just take it there.

[Buzzman]

So my '02 LE has been acting up recently. My DRL's(Canada) stopped working mid way through last winter. Recently, I havent had a Passenger side Highbeam but all the other lights worked. Now a few days ago only my passenger side low beam works, no driver side. When I enable highbeams only my driverside high works. I switched the bulbs and even bought new ones and it still does the same thing.

Anyone know what is going on?

Had similar problems this spring with my CDN '02 Pathy.
Replaced the DRL module and everything works fine.
The DRL module is close to $300.00 from the dealer, and is non returnable. Don't buy it there if you can avoid it.
I went to a junkyard and found one for $25.00.
I also took the signal stalk ($20.00) as a precaution, but that turned out to be not the problem.
I'd do that first before getting into any serious wiring troubleshooting.
Good luck.

[Towncivilian]

Why is the DRL module non-returnable? At my local dealer, I could return any part save for touch up paint I believe. But yes, definitely check junkyards first. Perhaps other Nissan/Infiniti vehicles use identical DRL modules, so look there if there are no Pathfinders at local junkyards. I would have suggested DRL modules as well, but it seems that I did not read your second reply closely enough.

[Pathfinder3.5]

Wait...where is the DRL module?

[Towncivilian]

It'll look like this beige thing in this picture:



If you're unable to find any DRL modules at the junkyard and you're handy with a soldering iron, you can try following this guide - though it's for Honda DRL modules, bad solder joints can be applicable to any piece of electronics.

[Buzzman]

Funny that you found my pic there.
That's my Pathfinder...har har.
Yes indeed, it's the beige 4 inch square box next to the battery.
The explanation from the dealer re: no return:
It's an electronic part, and once you install it in your vehicle, it's yours.
You cannot buy it to troubleshoot a problem, and then return it if it turns out to be something else.
The dealer has no way of knowing what you did with it. It could very well be fried when you return it.
I can understand their position on this one.
Hope that helps.

[iceman14n]

I had the same problem with my QX4 but the thing is that the QX4 (01-03) have highbeams separate and low beams separate ... (exact same set up otherwise as the Pathfinders) ...

Why my car would do is that DRLs would work fine but the right (passanger) high beams would never come on when i would turn on the high beams... I knew its a problem with the DRL module. So i took that beige box out, open it up (it just slides out) and re solder all the solders

VIOALA!!!! it all worked dandy...

NOW, since the pathfinder has the low and highs interconnected at the headlights, you would have the symptoms of low beam acting up as well. for me it was just the highs that were giving me problem.

So try it, it took me only few minutes (30 minutes max), take the battery out, un bolt the DRL module, unhook the harnesses, slide the electrical board out and re solder all the solders even if they look good because you dont know which one corroded.

[Pathfinder3.5]

I had the same problem with my QX4 but the thing is that the QX4 (01-03) have highbeams separate and low beams separate ... (exact same set up otherwise as the Pathfinders) ...

Why my car would do is that DRLs would work fine but the right (passanger) high beams would never come on when i would turn on the high beams... I knew its a problem with the DRL module. So i took that beige box out, open it up (it just slides out) and re solder all the solders

VIOALA!!!! it all worked dandy...

NOW, since the pathfinder has the low and highs interconnected at the headlights, you would have the symptoms of low beam acting up as well. for me it was just the highs that were giving me problem.

So try it, it took me only few minutes (30 minutes max), take the battery out, un bolt the DRL module, unhook the harnesses, slide the electrical board out and re solder all the solders even if they look good because you dont know which one corroded.

I just pulled mine out and it looked perfect inside. I looked real close and they all lookes sparkly clean. Considering I would have NO headlights at all at night if I screwed this up, I'm heading to my local junkyard that has a few Pathys to pick up the switch and DRL module.

[iceman14n]

mine looked sparkling clean too man but that is the issue in most japanese cars. same issue with my 98 accord.

[Buzzman]

After I replaced mine with the junkyard DRL module, I took apart the defective one.
Like you, mine looked clean and sparkly as well. I couldn't see where the problem might be. Very deceiving.
I thought maybe one of the relay contacts was bad or something.
Anyway, I didn't waste any more time on it as the $25.00 scrapper worked fine, so I just threw it out.
FYI, I was in the high tech world for 30 years, and have seen the problems cold solder joints can cause.
The biggest problem is that cold solder joints are never obvious or even visible in most cases.
I'd go with the suggestion to resolder all the joints as well, even if they look good.

[Pathfinder3.5]

After I replaced mine with the junkyard DRL module, I took apart the defective one.
Like you, mine looked clean and sparkly as well. I couldn't see where the problem might be. Very deceiving.
I thought maybe one of the relay contacts was bad or something.
Anyway, I didn't waste any more time on it as the $25.00 scrapper worked fine, so I just threw it out.
FYI, I was in the high tech world for 30 years, and have seen the problems cold solder joints can cause.
The biggest problem is that cold solder joints are never obvious or even visible in most cases.
I'd go with the suggestion to resolder all the joints as well, even if they look good.

Well guys just an update! It was the DRL module! I can see how this can be easily mistaken as the headlight stalk/switch. Similar symptoms. Thanks for the help guys!