High Beam trouble WTF!!

[CAMERONCJC]

Hi guys, 90 swb Maverick, flick the high beams on and most times only the left one comes on but the light on the dash doesn't come on either, pull the stalk back all the way and it works then flick it forward and it's all good again, once I can get them on properly they stay on but it's just a pain in the ass having to stuff around with the stalk..

Common problem??
Any ideas??

Cheers in advance

[gorilla]

Pull stalk out and give it a real good clean with INOX, Its a common problem wih patrols

[mavrod]

Giday i cant help u but my mav has a problem aswell pull it back and let it go the passenger high beam stays on drivers side goes off WTF:|

[ethanboris]

mavrod check the soldered connections on the back of the actual light, i've had one come off pissd me right off.

[Chris]

Also have a look the fuses, Mine was dicky and that is where my problem was

[Tracteur Tom]

The problem is probably the switch. Try cleaning it first, but a replacement may be required. Nissan chose not to fit headlamp relays in the Y60 (tight arses !) so all the current from the lights goes through the switch, OK when its new but at 18 yrs old, things are getting a little worn. So, fitting headlamp relays is a good mod. Also check the connectors at the backs of the lamps and the ground connections, all problematic. Y60 headlamps are one area that you can improve on big time !

[foreverdiesel]

I also had a similar problem with mine. It was the plug at the back of the light, the connection was bad, causing a hot spot which melted the plastic plug a bit, one of the light pins was also very dark showing that it got quite hot. I agree with doing all the checks shown above, but I would check the bulb & connections at the light first as it is the easiest to check.

Cheers,

[micks4x4]

Hi guys, 90 swb Maverick, flick the high beams on and most times only the left one comes on but the light on the dash doesn't come on either, pull the stalk back all the way and it works then flick it forward and it's all good again, once I can get them on properly they stay on but it's just a pain in the ass having to stuff around with the stalk..

Common problem??
Any ideas??

Cheers in advance
Mate I'm having exactly the same problem and I reckon it's the stalk but I'm not sure if I should get a new one or just fit a headlight relay or both:confused:

[BIG GQ]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110268449936&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=001

[Tracteur Tom]

To do it properly you need to replace the switch and fit relays to save the new switch. However, there is a chance that the existing switch will work with relays, so 1st off I'd fit the relays and see how it goes.

[micks4x4]

To do it properly you need to replace the switch and fit relays to save the new switch. However, there is a chance that the existing switch will work with relays, so 1st off I'd fit the relays and see how it goes.
Will try that, thanks for the help;)

[sudso]

Pull stalk out and give it a real good clean with INOX, Its a common problem wih patrolsI wouldn't spray anything on it thats flammable and remains wet. Use electrical Contact Cleaner etc.
My father cleaned his hi/lo switch in the stalk with Rp7 or something on his car once and when he tested it it caught fire cos it was still wet lol.
Might have to check mine now to see if it has had the relay mod after reading tractor toms post.

[Tracteur Tom]

If you cant get switch cleaner, I've found that brake cleaner works well. But as Sudso says, shake it all out before you power up, dries quick anyhow.

[MikeH]

I've had this with a couple of nissans.
Remove the switch.
see the thin plastic cover with the cross shaped holes, you need to pick the melted plastic off so you can lift one side of this up.
Look inside, you will see 5 sets of contacts. (left high left low right high right low and park)
get a bit of emery paper, tear off a 10mm wide strip.
fold the strip in half.
turn the switch to the on position for a particular contact.
gently lift a contact with the tip of a small screwdriver just enough to tuck the double sided emery paper in.
press lightly on the contact and pull the emery paper out.
repeat twice for each contact.
Hose it out with CO contact cleaner or similar (DO NOT USE NF CONTACT CLEANER!!!!)
Let dry and psh the plastic cover back on. a TINY dab of supa glue on the broken cross bits works well.

As good as new.

[Tracteur Tom]

"As good as new " except the contacts gold flashing is no more ! If its just dirt on the contacts use a bit of card soaked in switch cleaner and pull it through the contact with the contact nipping the card (the way we used to clean relay contacts in Comms switch gear). If the contacts are burnt then emery OK, you've nothing to lose, but the switch wont last long without that relay mod !

MikeH, please explain CO and NF contact cleaner ? I infer from your post that Brake Cleaner is NF ????

[MikeH]

If you're a comms tech and thinking of moving west (and north) keep an eye out in the next 8 months or so. Some really good jobs coming up.
Yeah emery paper is a bit rough for decent equipment, Contacts in both my nissan switches were thick lumps of silver welded on to the spring. They are big ugly contacts made by the lowest bidder so I dont think any plating was very special in the first place.

Mine were both burnt when they had troubles. Not much pitting, just black buildup everywhere.

Brake cleaner is probably a bit nasty, I've never used it for contacts.

NF is a special non flammable version of the CO contact cleaner, it has serious issues with plastics.
http://www.crcindustries.com.au/catalogue.nsf/web_brands/NF+Contact+Cleaner?openDocument


and the good stuff:
http://www.crcindustries.com.au/catalogue.nsf/web_brands/CO+Contact+Cleaner?openDocument
fairly readily available for about $20 per can.
This is what I use with slivers of ordinary photocopy paper for delicate contacts.