91Tercel - No Headlights

[Trimagna]

I can flash the high beams by pulling the combination switch stalk towards the driver, but turning it to shine the low or high beams does nothing; no headlights, low or high, either side.

Fuses check OK. Tail lights and front corner lights are on.

Are headlights connected to a relay? If not, it would seem the only possibility is the combination switch.

Without removing the switch, can I test it by removing the lower half of the steering wheel column cover, then unplugging the wiring to the switch?

Suggestions?

Thanks,
- CarlD [email protected]

[toyboyz]

I just took apart and cleaned my combo switch on my 92. this is what I would do. remove combo switch from steering comlumn, on the back side of the combo assy you will find a small rectangle box held down with two screws. remove box, disconnect wire and open up the switch box. take a good look of how the assy looks before you take everything apart. pop off the clear cover by releasing the clips from the back w/ small flathead screwdriver. You are going to have too clean the contacts either w/file or sandpaper. It is just like the points from the old type distributors. You have no lights because you probably have bac contact on the points. you might as well clean them all since you got it open. blow out all the dust and reassemble. I am pretty sure that the 91 and 92 are simillar. good luck or spend $$$ and get a new one. let me know

[Trimagna]

I think you are on the right track.

Aside from the two headlight fuses located in the main fuse/relay box under the hood, are there related relays or harness connections in the headlight circuits?

Do you have a schematic or wiring diagram? My Chilton manual is seriously deficient.

Do the contacts get worn? Sometimes contacts can be cleaned with silicone spray.

Many thanks,
- CarlD [email protected]

Anaheim, CA

[toyboyz]

no I dont have a schematic, but if you got high beams that tells me that the wiring is okay. the contact points does get pitted and also might have poor contact. that switch box controls all of you lights that come from the turn signal lever. check it out good luck

[Trimagna]

That was very helpful.

Basically, the low beams are switched by connecting to ground. That was pretty confusing, especially without a wiring diagram.

Wiring colors seem BACKWARDS. Red wires are ground (looking at the cable end at the steering column).

The actual problem was the contacts inside the switch block. As the stalk turns, it pushes a slider which allows contacts to come together. The normal (off) position keep the contacts apart, then spring tension should bring them together as the slider moves to the other side.

Apparently, the leaf spring with a contact on the end lost its tension or somehow bowed out, not making contact in any position.

Problem solved, for now.

Many thanks,
- CarlD

91 Tercel in Anaheim