Yet Another Headlight Thread

[Rush]

After tons of reading I learned that my LED headlight problem (no high beams) is likely due to a skuzzy relay so I took mine apart and it was indeed nasty. I sanded the contacts and the ‘foot’ where the screw is. A little Deox & dielectric grease finished the job.

I installed the relay and now, instead of nothing happening when I flip the stalk toward me, the headlights turn off.

• Relay clicks with stalk
• Power at all wires in all headlights
• All lights tested good using a power supply

Any ideas, guys?

[RONSLYCHUK]

I am not sure but it still may be the relay.
Many years ago my lights quit working. It turned out to be the relay quit working. I put a new one in and all was good. Hope this helps.

[Rush]

Hmm...I might have to drum up another one or a modern conversion then.

[iceman510]

I don't remember the details, but doesn't the stock system use the switch to ground? You have power at the lights you said, correct? And you must have proper ground for the lows to work. Is there a separate relay or routing for the high beams?

I can take a look at the diagram tomorrow for you to see if it sparks any ideas.

[Rush]

Yep, I have power at all the terminals of all 4 plugs and ground. The lights I have connected (the outers) work great on low; nice & bright with no flickering or anything like that.

I thought the late 510 just had the single relay with the 6 wires. I’ve read the early 510’s had 2 separate relays but I can’t confirm that. If someone can confirm whether the 72 has 1 or 2 relays that might be helpful, too.

I can’t remember ever having proper headlights in the car and my wiring was an absolute disaster. I have repaired every circuit but the high beams. Also, my reverse lights are still always on. I’m not sure if it’s related but I doubt it.

[BEO 510]

Be aware that the high beam signal is positive.
Have forgot the details, but learned it the hard way.

[Rush]

Thanks, Beo. I'll look into that!

[bertvorgon]

Yes, LED's do not like voltage reversal, they do not work.

I learned that when putting in the LED turn signal relay in my 510, I had to reverse the Positive to the relay, and, when I put LED lights into my vintage Boler trailer. Wow, did that drive me crazy for a few hours of bug sorting.

[Rush]

Oh, yes! I've been down that road with LED's, too.

That brings to mind, though. What do the wire colors coincide with? Like R/B = low beam(?), R/L=_______, R=_______, R/Y=_________

I just checked and my wires are plugged into the connectors as shown in the wiring diagram. Basically, they're the same as the outer lights, minus the center pin. When I plug the inner lights in, the halo just barely flickers in the low beam position which indicates a bad ground, maybe? But since there is no "ground" wire on the inner light plug can I assume it is chassis grounded? The outer lamps still shut off when I flick the stalk to hi beams. Stock parking lights stay on, though.

[bertvorgon]

https://datsun510.com/index.php?/galler ... nd-relays/

Might help...?

[Rush]

Yes! That is helpful! Thank you!

So it appears as though
R/W=Ground
R/B= Low Beam
R/L =Hi Beam Left
R =Hi Beam Right

However, the note there says R/W is Hi-beam, where the diagram indicates it's attached to ground and it shows the R/B circled (not R/W). Typo in the diagram? Unless I'm just totally on the struggle bus with the ground-switched program?

[icehouse]

When I did LED headlights I just repined the plug, super easy to pull the pins out and move them. I never hooked the high beams up. I live in the city, so headlights are so I don't get pulled over haha.

[Rush]

Thanks, IH! I tried that as well. Unfortunately, it didn't fix it. I really would like to have my highbeams because I live way out in the rhubarb. Lol! I agree, if I were still in SoCal I probably wouldn't care about it, either.

I have to think my problem is a wonky headlight relay. I dunno.

[bertvorgon]

Wish I could help more,

Me & Mr. Electron have an adversarial relationship at the best of times!!

[Rush]

Lol! Thanks anyhow, Keith!