headlights no worky!! grrrrrrrrrr

[jesusno2]

so i've gotten quite far on resurecting my goon from the dead. ka swap, replacing parts etc etc. well ive gotten to the point now where im putting everthing back together. i installed new h4 headlights and i got those installed along with my turnsignals all new bulbs everywhere. cleaned every connection i could possibly find. Today i installed my turnsignals and their working fine. but i have no headlights i have battery power to the plugs, but all three prongs are live is'nt one supposed to be a ground??? i'm guessing i might have a bad switch but my park light work fine. and i have no turn signals at all. any one else have any input on this? the harness is all in tact car was a automatic maybe i'm missing something??

[Dimebag]

have you done a wiring upgrade like the one I posted here?

a while back I also posted a drawing of the stock headlight system for your reference.

[jesusno2]

No I have not done any mods to the headlights just installed the h4 replacements the whole entire harness is bone stock and un cut that I can tell. What's weird is I unplug the stock headlight relay all my plugs at the headlights still have power its gotta be a short in the system somewhere I don't have turn signals that work either lol!

[James]

Did things change when you installed the new bulbs? You do know the headlights have constant positive and the negative is switched - in stock form?

[okayfine]

Did things change when you installed the new bulbs? You do know the headlights have constant positive and the negative is switched - in stock form?

This. You will see 12V+ at each prong until you swtich on the headlights, after which the circuit will ground one of the prongs and give you lights.

You may have a dead/dying headlight relay, a broken headlight switch, or bad wiring in the stock system. Keep in mind, as Dimebag has directed you to, you'll want to rewire your headlight circuit for the H4s. Yes, they're triggered just like the stock lights and, yes, they use the same headlight plug, but you're switching from pulling 35w x2 through the stock headlight switch to pulling 55w x2 through the stock headlight switch. It's a bad design since all that power will go through the stock headlight switch in a stock system. Dimebag's link shows you how to draw power for your headlights and bypass the headlight switch.

That alone probably won't fix your issue, but you'll want to do it regardless.

When you pull the switch for headlights, does your headlight relay click? Are your fuses good? Not that they just look good, but do they have continuity through the fuses? Fuse box corroded? Your H4 buckets grounding to the chassis?

[jesusno2]

You guys are so helpfull I really had no idea how the headlight circuit worked (now I do!!) I don't know if my relay is clicking when I hit the switch I'm guessing not lol. My fuse box is all brand new nos and all my fuses have juice etc I hoping that relay is the culprit.

[James]

I hoping that relay is the culprit.

More than likely - have had to fix them a few times on various 510's -

[hang_510]

i'm guessing i might have a bad switch but my park light work fine.

it still could be the switch.

a continuity meter can confirm the second set of contacts work.

[jesusno2]

Well I got them to work! The relay contacts inside were fliped completley over the little plastic stopper inside. I flipped em back into the groove and whalllaa!! Headlights!

[Dimebag]

Well I got them to work! The relay contacts inside were fliped completley over the little plastic stopper inside. I flipped em back into the groove and whalllaa!! Headlights!

Hey, nice work! It's always great to hear a problem resolved -though I would recommend replacing it with a new Bosch unit anyways.

btw - what does "whalllaa" mean - is that like "abracadabra"?

[datzenmike]

Probably a derivative of the french voila'. Meaning to call attention to something or express satisfaction with something accomplished.

[jesusno2]

it just a oregonian word i suppose ha ha ha look i even took a picture!

[okayfine]

Nah, I've heard it and said it myself and I've only been to Oregon once. Never did write it, but...