Headlights not working

[e30tech]

I am trying to troubleshoot this headlight problem I am having on a 1994 Camry 4Cyl.

All of the other lights work (dash, parking, tail lights) but the headlights are not coming on - highs and lows are out.

I checked for broken wires, and checked for continuity. There is continuity from the switch harness to the headlight plug on all 4 headlights.
I checked for power at the fuses with the switch on - there was no power. There is 12 volts at the switch. I manually closed the headlight relay, and the lights worked (and now there was power at the fuses). I swapped the headlight relay with a known good one - still no lights.

The only grounds I could find were on the D/S beneath the battery, and by the corner light. I cleaned both - still no lights.

Can someone tell me what I am missing? I tried to troubleshoot the switch, but I don't know if I did that right.

Any help is appreciated!

Perry

[Cammy_01]

Since some lights work and some dont I suspect (but dont rule it out) that the headlight switch works.. as I was reading you post I was thinking.. is there a relay for the headlights, but then you mentioned it so I will guess that is probably the problem. I have not had to deal with headlights very often.. and when I do it is usually a ground at the light causing one to be dimmer than the other.. but this is not the problem you describe. Anyway I think you hit the nail on the head.. I would start with the relay.. I know you swapped it out with a known good one, but just go buy one and start again. I would suspect the relay and check the relay recepticle.. maybe not a good connection there, that is where I would start.. post back what you find.

[e30tech]

I pulled the battery and air cleaner housing out, opened up the harnesses and plastic covers to see the wires. The black wire that goes to the integration relay had corroded inside of the insulation - probably from battery acid. The insulation appeared to be normal, except it was slightly 'bloated' looking. I cut thru the wire at that bloated section, and the wire broke apart.

So if you have the problem of your headlights not coming on, check the wiring in the area mentioned.

If anyone is interested, I have a column switch (wiper and headlight switch) that I dont need.

[Cammy_01]

Originally Posted by e30tech

I pulled the battery and air cleaner housing out, opened up the harnesses and plastic covers to see the wires. The black wire that goes to the integration relay had corroded inside of the insulation - probably from battery acid. The insulation appeared to be normal, except it was slightly 'bloated' looking. I cut thru the wire at that bloated section, and the wire broke apart.

So if you have the problem of your headlights not coming on, check the wiring in the area mentioned.

If anyone is interested, I have a column switch (wiper and headlight switch) that I dont need.

Who da man.. the Cammy man lol, yeah.. that is what I thought it was, a connection there somewhere around the relay.

Hey, thanks for posting back what you found, it helps to know what to tell people next time. Now, if I can just figure out why my headlights, well actually all of my lights including dome light just flicker when they are on in my 01 v6 lol, I would be a happy camper.

[e30tech]

Originally Posted by Cammy_01

Who da man.. the Cammy man lol, yeah.. that is what I thought it was, a connection there somewhere around the relay.

Hey, thanks for posting back what you found, it helps to know what to tell people next time. Now, if I can just figure out why my headlights, well actually all of my lights including dome light just flicker when they are on in my 01 v6 lol, I would be a happy camper.

I figured I would atleast post the findings so it would be in the archives.

My wifes 2001 V6 Camry lights flicker too. I read somewhere that it is a heater for an exhaust component (I forget which - but possibly for the O2 sensor). That answer sounds very strange though. Her car has been doing it since day one. I told her to take it back and have them check the output of the voltage regulator. They told her it was fine (but did not give a reason for the flickering lights).

Another problem on the same car is a thumping around the driver's side wheel. I checked the ball joints and tie rods, but found nothing. She asked the dealer to look at this along with the voltage regulator. They told her it was the brake pads and it is normal. I know that they bs-ed her. I have a feeling it is something with the strut mount.