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  • Headlights shutting off

    Tonight for some reason, my headlights shut off while I was driving.

    Before this started happening, I was pulling the lever forward to use the brights because they wont go on when I push it forward. (Something I wanted to fix before this happened)

    After driving like this for a few minutes, the regular beams wont come back on! I took a piece of cardboard and stuck it behind the lever to hold the lights in the on (brights) position to drive home.

    Once in the driveway I realized that the lights would work intermittently. Not sure whats causing this... Any suggestions?
    1989 Ford Festiva
    Mileage: 152,000



  • #2
    light switch going bad?
    "FLTG4LIFE" @FINALLEVEL , "PBH"
    89L Silver EFI auto
    91GL Green Auto DD
    There ain't no rest for the wicked
    until we close our eyes for good.
    I will sleep when I die!
    I'm a little hunk of tin, nobody knows what shape I'm in. I've got four wheels and a running board, I'm not a Chevy, I'M A FORD!

    Comment


    • #3
      ^ x2 thats what it sounds like to me too
      1973 Cb750 haven't touched it yet with no idea what I am planning on doing with it
      1978 25th Anniversary edition Corvette
      1983 Chevy Elcamino
      1993 Ford Festiva GL
      2003 Hyundia Santa Fe ( Wifes Daily driver)
      some old dodge motorhome I have no idea of the year

      Comment


      • #4
        Clean all the connectors associated with the headlights too.
        -Greg
        Euro-bprt...WORLDS FASTEST FESTIVA !!! 11.78@115.9
        BP, G trans, Megasquirt/ 550cc inj. t3/t3 (tbird) Garrett, REAR TURBO!!!! AND AC!!!!
        Redneck Engineer
        FOTY - '09
        5x Festiva Madness Attendee...FM 3,4,5,6,8
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpCZ7...9Pwqw-oe8s2OYQ
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU_eX...9Pwqw-oe8s2OYQ

        Comment


        • #5
          yeah ^^ i had similar problem. first the brights went, then the 'heads. after replacing the bulbs noticed the connectors were burnt and dirty inside. a little cleaning and viola.
          light a man a fire and he'll stay warm for the night.
          light a man on fire and he'll stay warm for the rest of his life.:faroah:

          Comment


          • #6
            Clean the actual switch inside the car or the connections to the light bulbs? I guess both couldnt hurt. I hope its something that simple.

            Is there a fuse or relay for the headlights?
            1989 Ford Festiva
            Mileage: 152,000


            Comment


            • #7
              In addition, I noticed the drivers side headlight wasn't work at all. I took it out today and the bulb was broken..

              I replaced it with a Sylvnania 9004 halogen and it works (only the brights, original problem still unsolved)

              Maybe water got in there? It was raining last night. Or maybe something else?
              1989 Ford Festiva
              Mileage: 152,000


              Comment


              • #8
                Took apart the wheel and took the instrument cluster off.

                Then I removed the individual modules and cleaned all contacts / greased the ball bearings. Now it works like a charm! Even the brights...

                Thanks a lot guys this website is really helpful!
                1989 Ford Festiva
                Mileage: 152,000


                Comment


                • #9
                  thats great...thanks for letting us know you found the problem.
                  "FLTG4LIFE" @FINALLEVEL , "PBH"
                  89L Silver EFI auto
                  91GL Green Auto DD
                  There ain't no rest for the wicked
                  until we close our eyes for good.
                  I will sleep when I die!
                  I'm a little hunk of tin, nobody knows what shape I'm in. I've got four wheels and a running board, I'm not a Chevy, I'M A FORD!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I'm not even gonna try that!!!!!!!

                    CRUNDE,AND ALL OTHERS


                    MY CAR IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT YOURS IS ALONG WITH NEEDING REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, CV AXLES ,AND A BLOWER MOTOR!! AS OF WEDNESDAY OF THIS WEEK IT IS GOING "buh-bye" TO THE SCRAPYARD OR TO SOMEONE WHO GIVES ME THE 100.00 I SPENT ON THE <EXPLETIVE> LOUSY PIECE!!!!!


                    SO MUCH FOR HOPE

                    AND BY THE WAY - IN CASE YOUR WONDERING ...YES!! I'M A NON-MECHANICALLY INCLINED IDIOT THAT GIVES UP MY HARD EARNED MONEY TO SOME A.S.E. CERTIFIED MORON THAT HAS NO CONSCIENCE OR NEED TO HELP OUT A FELLOW MAN

                    AND SOMETHING AS EASY AS PULLING OFF A STEERING WHEEL AND CLEANING CONTACTS ----- HUMMMMPH EASY MY BUTT !!!!!!!!!! I LOSE ONE PIECE AND IM SCREWED



                    JOE


                    CURRENTLY A 12 OUT OF 10 ON THE P.O.'ED METER
                    Last edited by festiva joe; 11-29-2009, 12:34 AM.
                    Go Ahead and Laugh .....Mines faster,more fuel efficient, ...AND PAID FOR!!!!!

                    :sign3:

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      ^^ that won't help to be po'ed........c'mon JOE, look around and get in there and do it. These are the easiest cars to work on .....trust me I 've been a mechanic for 15 yrs.
                      -Greg
                      Euro-bprt...WORLDS FASTEST FESTIVA !!! 11.78@115.9
                      BP, G trans, Megasquirt/ 550cc inj. t3/t3 (tbird) Garrett, REAR TURBO!!!! AND AC!!!!
                      Redneck Engineer
                      FOTY - '09
                      5x Festiva Madness Attendee...FM 3,4,5,6,8
                      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpCZ7...9Pwqw-oe8s2OYQ
                      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU_eX...9Pwqw-oe8s2OYQ

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by eurotiva View Post
                        ^^ that won't help to be po'ed........c'mon JOE, look around and get in there and do it. These are the easiest cars to work on .....trust me I 've been a mechanic for 15 yrs.
                        thus sayeth the a.s.e. certified mechanic

                        euro- look up the word non mechanically inclined .......


                        MY PICTURE IS NEXT TO IT!!!!!!

                        Joe
                        Go Ahead and Laugh .....Mines faster,more fuel efficient, ...AND PAID FOR!!!!!

                        :sign3:

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          c'mon, it's just a pile of nuts and bolts, that hold parts together, go get a set of tools and go from there. Sorry to jack this thread, but his car is fixed, now we gotta fix Joe's. Somebody in his neighborhood speak up.
                          -Greg
                          Euro-bprt...WORLDS FASTEST FESTIVA !!! 11.78@115.9
                          BP, G trans, Megasquirt/ 550cc inj. t3/t3 (tbird) Garrett, REAR TURBO!!!! AND AC!!!!
                          Redneck Engineer
                          FOTY - '09
                          5x Festiva Madness Attendee...FM 3,4,5,6,8
                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpCZ7...9Pwqw-oe8s2OYQ
                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU_eX...9Pwqw-oe8s2OYQ

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Joe if you were closer I'd say come on over and we could help fix all your problems. Don't junk the car without even giving it a try. Like Euro said these cars are easy to work on and we can help you through it!
                            Brian
                            http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2274977



                            93 GL modyfied!!!
                            :fish:

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by 25Horseplay View Post
                              Joe if you were closer I'd say come on over and we could help fix all your problems. Don't junk the car without even giving it a try. Like Euro said these cars are easy to work on and we can help you through it!
                              I find that hard to believe brian!!!!


                              Then again you'll probably tell me your kid (tiffany?) can do an engine swap by herself and that's when i'll check myself into the loony bin


                              EASY TO WORK ON <------ that has to be an oxymoron, seriously!!!!!!!
                              Last edited by festiva joe; 11-29-2009, 10:01 AM.
                              Go Ahead and Laugh .....Mines faster,more fuel efficient, ...AND PAID FOR!!!!!

                              :sign3:

                              Comment

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