2001 Nissan Quest Headlight Goes Out

Tiny
PETERDEUSCHLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 NISSAN QUEST
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Drivers side headlight and floodlights go out after driving for about 10 minutes. Passenger side headlight remains on. Headlight goes out even if floodlights have not been turned on. This condition only affect low beams. If van is turned off for a while, the headlight will work again, however it will turn off after driving for about 10 minutes. I have replaced the headlight and the condition still persists. I am assuming this is a relay problem. Any ideas? Where is the headlight relay located? I found the floodlight relay but cannot find the headlight relay.
Sunday, March 7th, 2010 AT 7:29 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi peterdeuschle,

Thank you for the donation.

The fog lights work together with the dirver side low beams so I believe there is nothing wrong with it.

The main concern would be the driver side low beam not working.

Is your vehicle equipped with Daytime Running Lights?

If not, is it equipped with AutoLamps?

No relays are used but there is a headlight control unit located at right side of driver footwell.
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Sunday, March 7th, 2010 AT 3:31 PM
Tiny
PETERDEUSCHLE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I played around with the lights more when we were on a trip over the weekend. I was wrong about some of the information I gave you, sorry.

When the drivers side headlight goes out, it also takes out the fog lights. When I switch to high beams, the drivers side is still out. (So it is affecting high and low beams on the driver's side)

The passenger side headlights still work though, as normal. They never go out.

In addition, when you switch to high beams, the foglights go out. When you switch back to low beams the foglights come on.

I stood back and looked at the headlights when they were both working. It seems that the drivers side headlight is much brighter than the passenger side.

Could something be wired wrong? Or switched wrong?

Maybe the driver's side lamp gets too hot and shuts off. How can that happen?
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Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 7:31 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You would have to perform test to determine if the problem is due to a fault with the Light Control Unit or the ground circuit.

When headlight fails, check Orange and Orange/Blue wire at the head lamp bulb for battery voltage. If voltage are present, then the ground circut could be loose and after using the light for some time, resistance builds up due to the loose contact and causes the circuit to be broken.

If voltage is not present, the Light Control Unit is faulty.

By the way you did not reply to my questions about the type of lighting system in your vehicle.

Was any repairs carried out prior to this occurring?
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Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 9:20 AM
Tiny
PETERDEUSCHLE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I'll have to take in the other van to have the heating system looked at if it's the computer. There weren't any repairs done prior to the problem. The heating controls just stopped working. I don't use the van a lot and was hoping you could tell me how to manually just open the fresh air vent myself so at least it's fresh air coming in and not recycled air. It would also be great if I could manually adjust it so that the air is not heated. I can live with cool air blowing in my eyes but the heated air is murder.
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Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 2:52 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You lost me there.

Regarding the van with the heater problem, what model, make and year is it?

What other symptoms can you provide me?
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Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 AT 5:58 AM
Tiny
PETERDEUSCHLE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
1999 Dodge Grand Caravan. Heating controls stopped functioning and buttons do not light up. Fan works, but when turned on only shoots out hot recycled air from the front defrost. Adjusting setting to cold, or pushing the recycle air button, or switching to floor has no affect.
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 AT 9:03 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
The controls not lighting up indicates a possible fault with the control panel. When this occurs, you would not be able to control the air flow and as it is stuck in the heater position, that would be the only optuion available to you.

The system has a self diagnostic which requires appropriate scanners to retrieve the trouble codes.

It is not going to be easy to troubleshoot the problemwithout the aid of the scanner.
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Thursday, March 11th, 2010 AT 6:14 AM

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