head light problems again

smooth_eddy · smooth_eddy's Garage

I had left drivers side headlight problems a few weeks ago. It came on but would not pop up. I cleaned a ground wire and soldered a loose diode next to the headlight and it worked fine for a few weeks. Now same problem. Left front comes on but will not pop up. This is an intermittent problem which makes it more difficult to find the problem. Also, I noticed the little green indicator light on the speedo only comes on when the light switch is in the first click parking mode. Also, the blue high beam indicator does not work at all with the lights in high beam. But the lights will go into high beam. This may be several problems. Any thoughts? Eddy

green71 · 08-15-2004, 04:42 PM

Can't help w/all of this, but take heart: the green light you're talking about is functioning correctly. It's only supposed to be on when the parking lights are on, not the headlights.

The malfunctioning blue light could be a dead bulb. I've had other gauge bulbs die.

Have you tried replacing the headlight motor relay? Try swapping the left & right relays & see if the problem moves to the other side.

Good luck!

smooth_eddy · smooth_eddy's Garage

Thanks for the info on the green light on my speedo. How do I change the blue light? Do I pull the 4 screws on the front of the gauge cluster metal trim piece?

Where are the relays for the headlights located? I have not checked those yet.

smooth_eddy · smooth_eddy's Garage

I went out this evening to take a look at the lights again. Well I jiggled a plastic female/male disconnect connector next to the left front light and was able to get the lights to work properly. It must be a bad connection there. Tomorrow I will buy some contact cleaner and clean it up some.

Now I need to fix the blue high beam indicator. I drove home late last night and had a bunch of other cars flashing their high beams at me till I finally figured out my highs were on. Duh! Never occured to me my indicator lamp was out. So, how do I get to that little blue light bulb?

green71 · 08-15-2004, 08:37 PM

If you plan to spend much time behind the instruments, you might want to remove the steering wheel, but I wouldn't bother if it's just lamps you're after.

You'll have to remove the screws that retain the metal instrument cluster plate. Prior to that, though, you'll have to reach up under the dash & disconnect the speedo cable. Should just be able to unscrew it by hand. There's also a cable for the trip meter that should be disconnected. Then remove the plate screws & ease the plate forward. You should be able to pull it out a couple of inches & tilt it forward toward you. That should give you access to the light bulb sockets behind the instruments. Be gentle, though; you don't want to disconnect anything accidently.

While you're in there, it's not a bad idea to remove all the bulbs & wipe 'em off. You'd be surprised how much dust gets on them.

smooth_eddy · smooth_eddy's Garage

I will look into changing bulb next weekend. I will have more time then. Thanks for the tips. Is the bulb just on off the shelf at an auto store or some kind of odd German thing?

green71 · 08-16-2004, 07:42 AM

Somewhere in between. An auto parts store that specializes in European or German parts oughta have 'em.

914GT · 08-16-2004, 10:18 AM

It's also possible that your high beam indicator bulb is working but you still cannot see it. The colored film inside the gauge turns black with age and will not pass light. Only fix is to take the VDO gauge apart and replace the colored film.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

You do not need to remove the instrument panel face, nor do you need to remove the speedo cable! As I recall, you will need to remove the odometer reset cable, or at least remove the knob and the nut that holds the lower end to the dashboard.

You can simply pull any (or all) of the individual gauges out of the instrument panel. They are only held in by rubber rings, so they will pop out relatively easily. You can use a thin-bladed screwdriver to help pry them out, or you can reach in from under the dash and give them a little push to start them. But they will indeed slide out on their own!

--DD

smooth_eddy · smooth_eddy's Garage

Actually, I see that the high beam indicator light is on the tach not the speedo. My mistake. I assume it comes out the same as the speedo. I will have time this weekend to look at it. Eddy