kev9180 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Like title says, when I make a right turn, both my front headlights go out. Everything else works, tail lights, cruise control, brake lights, etc. I replaced my turn signal switch thinking it was that but nope, same problem. I took apart the steering wheel cover a few weeks ago and was good for a few days but problem is back. What do I do? If I get a multimeter and test for power (never used one), how do I do that? I'm on my last nerve with this one lol. Thanks guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev9180 Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share Posted October 10, 2015 BTW the filaments on both the headlights are fine,and if I turn left the lights usually come back on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terranovation Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Sounds like you need to check the internals of that indicator/light assembly switch. Inside there are brass contacts that when you turn the lights on, the brass 'finger' will close making contact with the small magnet underneath. So undo your plastic steering wheel column again, remove the two screws holding the switch assembly and unplug from the ignition. Take off the plastic cover of the switch by prying off with a small screwdriver. From memory there are tiny plastic clips which hold it on and they have a tendency to go flying into the great unknown. Don't panic if you lose the cover though. Mine has been running quite comfortably without it. Inspect the ignition connector pins for any damage. Inspect the brass fingers for any damage. Get some fine grade sandpaper and clean the contacts underneath each brass finger. From the sounds of it, the indicator brass finger is coming into contact with one headlight brass finger, so you are getting a power crossover. I'd fix this soon before it melts your ignition switch or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginerd Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Mine did this, it was just the battery tie down was broken. The battery was moving just enough to break that circuit. Quick check would tell you for sure. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev9180 Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share Posted October 11, 2015 Just checked and the battery does move around on its platform, how did you fix it? I had no idea that that would affect it, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev9180 Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share Posted October 11, 2015 Terra, I took it apart and everything looks sound in there, clean and surprisingly in tact. Just got the new headlight/turn signal switch as well just in case. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev9180 Posted October 12, 2015 Author Share Posted October 12, 2015 So with further inspection it seems to be that the two wires that get power to the headlights from the battery are a bit loose on the actual terminal that comes right off the battery. When the battery slides whenever I turn, the two wires coming off the terminal shift which cuts power to the headlights. Don't know how I'm going to secure the battery but I'm going to try and use some electrical tape at the least to further secure the headlight wires in the plastic terminal that connects to the battery. Hopefully that way I'll keep my lights even when the battery shifts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 (edited) Is your battery hold down busted or missing? If you're just looking for a "for now" fix you could put a bungie cord across it. A friend of mine's van has been that way the whole time he's owned it. You might also try cleaning the connections where the wiring meets up if possible. Even with the battery shifting around, you shouldn't be losing the headlights like that. Edited October 12, 2015 by Slartibartfast 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev9180 Posted October 12, 2015 Author Share Posted October 12, 2015 Slarti, yeah the hold down is busted. I don't even see where there would be one. My battery is just sitting on top of a metal looking plate it looks like and sliding around. The little plug that the headlight wires connect into off of the positive terminal is where the issue is. Those cables keep coming a bit loose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terranovation Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 Oh well, time to go to your local auto store and get a new battery hold down clamp. The kit comes with the clamp and two metal rods with the screw connectors on the ends. The other end of the rod has a hook where it should loop into a hole down either side of the battery stand. They are only like $10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 The holes for the hold-down rods are supposed to be at the front and back of the tray--pull the battery and you should be able to find them easy enough so long as it hasn't been modified by corrosion or a previous owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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