Headlight problem still continuing

[MGV6]

Some of you may remember my thread months ago regarding th eproblem with my headlights. Basically when I start the car up the headlight come on even though the headlight switch is turned off. When I turn off the engine, they go off. When I put it in 1st ignition, the lights come on and same happens in 2nd ignition.

I took it to my local garage and they couldn't not find any problem. They said nothing wrong with relay switch and nothing wrong with wiring. He said it just like that.

Now we all here know, that is not true. No mitsubishi car ever comes with light sensitive headlights and plus this problem didnt used to happen it only start happening few months back.

I ain't going to Mitsubishi and pay £90 just for a diagnose, let alone fixing it.

Not sure what to do now.

WRD live 100s of miles away so can't take it to them so not sure what to do.

[scc]

Could be a problem with the switch in your indicator stalk?

scc

[MGV6]

Could be a problem with the switch in your indicator stalk?

scc

Wouldn't that be the same as relay switch though?

The indicator switch works fine.

[Kieran]

Would that be the same as relay switch though?

The indicator switch works fine.

Mechanically it may be functional, but the switching mechanism might be on the fritz. There's a service manual in the members area that covers electrical diagnosis on the UK spec models - it might be worth doing the continuity tests if you feel confident with that kinda thing?

[MGV6]

Mechanically it may be functional, but the switching mechanism might be on the fritz. There's a service manual in the members area that covers electrical diagnosis on the UK spec models - it might be worth doing the continuity tests if you feel confident with that kinda thing?

where abouts?

and how?

[Kieran]

where abouts?

and how?

All is revealed in the manuals. They're in the Club Library.

[MGV6]

I had a look at it.

I haven't got a clue what its on about. Its all too rocket science.

Me no engineer

[Wodjno]

[SGHOM]

Now we all here know, that is not true. No mitsubishi car ever comes with light sensitive headlights .

mine does ??

[MGV6]

mine does ??

Serious? but was it fitted after market? or standard factory-fitted?

[Paul Beazer]

Ignore Derek, he's just pulling your leg!

Could it be a faulty relay for the lights? Perhaps your has been set up for day running lights like most volvos have (I THINK its just an extra relay, but dont quote me)

[SGHOM]

Serious? but was it fitted after market? or standard factory-fitted?

after market. small [ 2" ] relay secreted on the O/S dash. as dusk fell, my lights came on.
A classic case for the benefits was at the bunker [ project VX ] As Dave, Kieran & I were unloading PVX from the trailer one evening..... Kieran said " we could do with more light " ........... as he said it..... my headlights came on !!

as cool as !!

[Paul Beazer]

I stand corrected, sorry Derek!

[MGV6]

after market. small [ 2" ] relay secreted on the O/S dash. as dusk fell, my lights came on.
A classic case for the benefits was at the bunker [ project VX ] As Dave, Kieran & I were unloading PVX from the trailer one evening..... Kieran said " we could do with more light " ........... as he said it..... my headlights came on !!

as cool as !!

oh ok. Mine doesnt have those. I spoke to previous car owner he never fitted anything like that.

[MGV6]

Could it be a faulty relay for the lights?

Would this be different from the relay switch for the headlights?

[Exbury]

If you could find someone local who would be willing to swap your relay into their car and see if the same thing happens, otherwise you could probably order one from Zedy1(?) as a test (and a spare if it is not that).

Also is it ONLY the headlights and not the running rear lights also? Do all the lights work as normal, i.e. do you have high beam/low/flashers, fogs etc.? Are they as bright as they should be?

Does there look like any damage to the wiring, i.e. frays, aftermarket accessories, trailer hook etc. (could cause power through an earth wire and light up the bulb).

[MGV6]

Also is it ONLY the headlights and not the running rear lights also?

Both light up

Do all the lights work as normal, i.e. do you have high beam/low/flashers, fogs etc.?

Yeah, they all work as normal.

Are they as bright as they should be?

No, they appear to be less dim then when I switch the lights to normal mode.

Does there look like any damage to the wiring, i.e. frays, aftermarket accessories, trailer hook etc. (could cause power through an earth wire and light up the bulb).

Not sure really. They don't appear to be but then again I am not 100% certain.

[Exbury]

Could be wrong but sounds like it could be you have a cross feed off 12V current into your earth leads to the lamps, either in the wiring harness to the lamps, or the relay is screwed (i.e. short-circuited). As your relay is possibly suspect if you can find a willing individual to swap yours into that will test the relay (not the other way around as whatever fault you may have may screw up their relay). Or purchase a good used one.

In order to test the circuit for a fault, you could remove one of the wiring plugs to the headlamp, turn the ignition on so that the lights come on, then with a circuit tester (around £12 basic-£35quality) attach the earth lead from the circuit tester to the body (good contact needed) and put the live probe to the earth wire in the plug (multimeter switched to 12V DC test). If you get a voltage any higher than a nominal voltage then you have +12V being fed into the earth wire and the lamp is earthing out possibly through the live wire. Also try the above, but the probe into the live terminal of the plug instead of the earth terminal. By the sounds of it you should get voltage here. Then try both above but with the ignition completely off, and again with the ignition on and using the headlight switch.

In theory with the light switched on by the switch you should get around 12.3V (ish) volts through the live terminal, dropping to possibly 10-11V when the ignition is on but the switch is off. If you get any reading through the earth terminal then I believe you would have a problem with power running up the earth wire, I would then test this by disconnecting the earth terminal, popping the plug back on the bulb and temporarily bypassing the earth to the one headlight.....but then i don't know how technical to get into this. If you have a mate with the equipment and time best to get him to check it, its not that difficult a job.

best of luck.

[MGV6]

Cheers Exbury, I will try it. Btw: How do we take out the relay switch? I don't know how to do it. It is a difficult job?

Mitsubishi charge £187 + VAT for a new relay switch

[Nutter_John]

Gurj , Where do you live as there may be a member nearby , they may have more skills and able to assist