headlights went out while driving

drajj5 · Jun 12, 2012

On my way to work early yesterday before daybreak, the lights on the bronco kicked off....Dark as hell and could not see anything I applied the brake and held the steering as straight as possible. Fortunatly I was able to (feel) the side if the road listining for the Burp-Burp- that was eminating from the tires as I eased off the road. Scared the hell out of me.

I finally was able to get the lights working again by 'pumping the light switch' in and out. Never did it fail, during the 25 miles or so left of night driving. I did open the windows and let the cool air calm my nerves before arriving at work.

I had light problems before (blew them both out) due to a faulty Voltage Regulator. I replaced both the VR and headlights with some new halogens. Could it be that those new halogens pull too much current for the older wiring harness?

Apogee · Jun 12, 2012

Yes, the halogens are running too much current through the switch, tripping the thermal overload and cutting out the lights. When it cools off, the lights work again. Very common problem and easy fix with a headlight relay wiring harness.

BucknEB · Jun 12, 2012

Check your high beam switch on the floor. If that begins to fail the lights will cut off without warning also.

asinor · Jun 12, 2012

drajj5 said:
I had light problems before (blew them both out) due to a faulty Voltage Regulator. I replaced both the VR and headlights with some new halogens. Could it be that those new halogens pull too much current for the older wiring harness?

I've had this happen on multiple occasions in another vehicle, even got a ticket for driving with my brights on because the low beams blew out 5 minutes earlier. Halogens are not very tolerant of voltage spikes.

My EB has also had the phantom headlight switch problem occasionally. Pull over, shut it off, turn the lights on and off a few time, start it up, turn them on. Never am able to get them working again without shutting it off first so it may be a VR or relay issue.

Viperwolf1 · Jun 12, 2012

The stock headlight switches have a common problem. They have internal thermal circuit breakers that tend to open when the high beams are used for extended periods of time. The fix is to install a set of headlight relays. They will also provide brighter headlights. Most vendors have them or you can make your own.

ryansbronco · Jun 12, 2012

the wires should be fine for the H bulbs, you just wont get full power to them
I think your headlight switch went out. I have ran across a few crappy ones lately. Try to find a standard motor products switch. I've had good luck with them.
You can build your own relay harness to make use of the H bulbs. All then ends and relay holders can be got from napa. I should have done it this way. The vendors kits are fine. No vendor bashing here, but what you get you can google how to do it and build it for half the cost.

Scoop · Jun 12, 2012

Had the same thing happen to me after a long day on a dusty trail - and I already have the headlight harness! Seems it was dust in the dimmer switch and the first time I hit the highbeams on my way back my lights went out! And I was on a windy mountain road in Colorado! Pulled over and pumped the dimmer swtich a bunch of times until they came back on and then didn't touch the switch again. It's never happened again.

That said lthe headlight harness is a great upgrade and should be done with halogens.

Bronco Junkie · Jun 12, 2012

X50...you need to add relays.

Phil76 · Jun 12, 2012

Viperwolf's thread here should do the trick: http://classicbroncos.com/forums/sho...59#post2029659 Great quick, inexpensive upgrade!

JLBachs · Jun 12, 2012

Not to Hijack, but this was happening to me a lot. I replaced the dimmer and the light switch. I would push in and pull out the light switch and I "thought" that was making the lights come back on until one night when nothing helped. I got looking around and found out that one of my turn signal sockets was coming loose from where it was stamped into its housing - I could move it and make the headlights come on and go off. I temporarily pulled tension on it with a piece of baling wire (it's still there) and have been meaning to tack it with the mig sometime. The extra strain of completing this almost-open circuit must have been tripping that internal circuit breaker - shot in the dark but may be something to check

drajj5 · Jun 12, 2012

That link is broken....could you post it again.

I did replace the headlight switch not to long ago(dimmer spring/resistor broke) with an aftermarket switch. I was thinking that the new switch is bad....

However, I would love to fix this problem " Relays are the solution"- so survey says.......Anyone care to share how this is done?

noslo5o · Jun 12, 2012

Headlight relay diagram the color code is not the same as the bronco but the wire position is. Don't forget to use some electronic contact cleaner and dielectric grease on all of your connections. You will be amazed how much brighter your dash lights will be.

Bronco Junkie · Jun 12, 2012

Also, try to avoid Chinese relays. I went through 3 of them (they blew at first try) before I went looking for others. Found some made in Japan and they are working superbly!

Viperwolf1 · Jun 12, 2012

JLBachs said:
Not to Hijack, but this was happening to me a lot. I replaced the dimmer and the light switch. I would push in and pull out the light switch and I "thought" that was making the lights come back on until one night when nothing helped. I got looking around and found out that one of my turn signal sockets was coming loose from where it was stamped into its housing - I could move it and make the headlights come on and go off. I temporarily pulled tension on it with a piece of baling wire (it's still there) and have been meaning to tack it with the mig sometime. The extra strain of completing this almost-open circuit must have been tripping that internal circuit breaker - shot in the dark but may be something to check

More likely 1 of the wires was shorting to ground in that was putting the extra load on the headlight switch and breaker.

drajj5 · Jun 16, 2012

noslo5o said:
Headlight relay diagram the color code is not the same as the bronco but the wire position is. Don't forget to use some electronic contact cleaner and dielectric grease on all of your connections. You will be amazed how much brighter your dash lights will be.

ok did this %) and I think that I have the problem fixed....I hope!

Thanks for all input, and schematic.

headlights went out while driving

drajj5

Full Member

Apogee

Bronco Guru

BucknEB

Sr. Member

asinor

Bronco Guru

Viperwolf1

electron whisperer

ryansbronco

Bronco Guru

Scoop

Have Bronco, Will Travel

Bronco Junkie

So Cal Broncos

Phil76

Sr. Member

JLBachs

Full Member

drajj5

Full Member

noslo5o

Jr. Member

Bronco Junkie

So Cal Broncos

Viperwolf1

electron whisperer

drajj5

Full Member

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