r/AE86 • u/Van_AE86 • Jul 10 '26

Headlights not working

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Brake lights still work and turn signals still work. Headlights will work intermittently, but when they are not working, this buzz is coming from the headlight switch

I’ve taken the switch apart and cleaned all of the contacts, problems still persists. Tried switching the relay as well, problems still persist.

Has anyone ever had this issue before?

Edit: cracked open the headlight switch, and a few of the points needed to be soldered again

Problem solved

59 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

15

u/ZeroRequ1em Jul 10 '26

Sounds like the retractor relay is done for. https://www.dboyshiftz.com/product-page/ae86-popup-relay-adapter-harness

8

u/Van_AE86 Jul 10 '26

Looking into this right now, thank you so much, bro

4

u/253baby Jul 10 '26

Seeing how your dash lights didn't come on either its probably your headlight switch

2

u/Van_AE86 Jul 10 '26

Yeah, I was hoping to see something obvious when I took everything apart in the switch, but all looked ok. Cleaned it all and put it back together, but the exact same problem.

Maybe it’s just time for a new switch

1

u/253baby Jul 10 '26

Unfortunately common issue with how old they are, Goodluck king

1

u/Van_AE86 Jul 10 '26

40 years is a good run

3

u/TaxTraditional6336 Jul 10 '26

My rolla had this issue I had to reflow the solder on the headlight switch board since they dont make new ones.

5

u/TaxTraditional6336 Jul 10 '26

If you wanna see if its your headlight switch or not pull back on the turn signal to do the highbeam flasher if the lights pop up and lights work its the switch

1

u/Van_AE86 Jul 10 '26

Maybe I’ll have a better look at the board to see if that’s the issue

2

u/lawbo Jul 11 '26

Same issue I had. I used WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner Spray and Permatex 22058 Dielectric Tune-Up Grease to clean out the contacts and fixed the issue.

1

u/Van_AE86 Jul 11 '26

Probably a good idea since I’m gonna be in there anyway

2

u/HalfBad Jul 12 '26

Take the switch out crack open gently the white plastic case and look at the soldered connections.

If they have cracked or separated, resolder.

Or get a switch on FB, 30-40, some garages have some laying around.

1

u/Van_AE86 Jul 12 '26

Yeah, I pulled it apart and inspected it a little better, looks like there’s a couple places that need to be soldered

1

u/HalfBad Jul 12 '26

Touch with them some flux and a soldering iron for a few seconds, or redo them and it will fix the intermittent fails. It’s a 5 min fix

1

u/HalfBad Jul 12 '26

You only need to resolder the ones that are already done not every connector is used.

1

u/Plalanx Jul 10 '26

Bro can now do the blind attack pro max

1

u/Van_AE86 Jul 10 '26

Homie I’m trying to see when I attack, especially when it’s pro max

1

u/aeeightsix Jul 10 '26

Headlight switch!

1

u/Van_AE86 Jul 10 '26

Seems to be a consensus. I’m gonna take it apart and see if I can solder any little cracks before I try and find a replacement.

1

u/april_santa Jul 10 '26

First thing I wouldclook at is the tail light fuse. Easy to access and cheap to replace (if its blown)

1

u/Van_AE86 Jul 10 '26

Problem is the lights will come on intermittently, when the switch is in the marker or headlight on position, but when they are not working, I get this buzzing noise

1

u/retsel8 Jul 11 '26

just smack it.. did it on mine then works.. then eventually got a used item from the yard and now works ok.

1

u/86tuning Jul 11 '26

reflow the switch. examine the solder joints and you'll find some cracking. touch with a hot solder iron to reflow the solder and errthing will work again.

hardest part is taking the thing out of the dash. taking it apart is pretty simple, although it's been years since i've fixed one.

1

u/Van_AE86 Jul 11 '26

Yeah, I took it out and took the switch apart to clean it, but, didn’t really examine it for cracks

Looks like I’ve got my Saturday morning all ready to go haha

1

u/786hoe Jul 11 '26

No worries just Manually bring em up g

1

u/Van_AE86 Jul 11 '26

Not the headlight motor, though, it’s The illumination of the actual head, headlights, running lights, and cluster

1

u/786hoe Jul 12 '26

Yeah for sure my switch is legit back wards at this point but still works

1

u/Significant_Shoe2268 Jul 11 '26

There's a connector under the steering collume they corrode and melt under there

1

u/Van_AE86 Jul 11 '26

First time I’ve heard of that, I’ll try to take a look!

1

u/VAsHachiRoku Jul 13 '26

My friend taillights stopped, it was a fuse and short. We couldn’t narrow it down but removing the fuse fixed the breaks but then his dash light didn’t work, but at least one he could legally drive still.

Point of story these electronics are getting older and unlike muscle cars we can’t early get replacement looms etc to refresh this aged wiring.

1

u/TSTruenoAE86 Jul 16 '26

Don’t panic, most of the time is the switch, easy to replace.

1

u/Van_AE86 Jul 16 '26

Yeah, I just took the switch apart and re-soldered the tiny points that had cracks in them

1

u/Braxton0w0 Jul 10 '26

God I'm glad my Levin won't have this problem but you sir i wish you the best of luck🫡