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View Full Version : All Six JDM exterior 5w running lights non-functioning.



Monstertrucker
09/30/2017, 06:48 AM
Hi all,

I have an issue with all six of my 5w 'first click of the stalk' running/side lights failing, intermittently at first over a period of a year or so. Both 5w rears, both top mini 5w headlights and both 5w mini rounds above the indicators are dead. I assume they're all 5w. Rears are 21/5w combined brake and running bulbs here in The U.K. but the 21w filaments are fine and the 5w's also look ok, though they would not be able to fail at the same time and then work the next day again and again. When they go, they go for good. Fuses are all good though I wouldn't know about the relay which is possibly the cause given the gradual decline in reliability followed by total failure. The same thing happened with my driver's window which is now also dead.

One top 5w uppermost headlight bulb has no continuity and I was wondering if this can cause all the others on the circuit to also fail until it's replaced? I've ordered a pair of new Osram Ultra Life 5w which will arrive tomorrow so we'll see. The problem began with only the rear running lights though, as far as I can remember, and the stalk switch would work fine as when they did function you could turn them on and off with no problem, on that particular day.

The next day however, they may or may not have decided to work, even when I was parked at the supermarket 5 miles away and got back in and turned them on again after half an hour. Then they might work every morning and evening for a week or more. There's no voltage getting to the lights as tested with a digital meter.

I haven't driven the truck for over a year so I may be wrong about the rears only failing first as it's only a safety concern in the dark with no rear lights and all other exterior lights work except the aftermarket add-on fog and a custom fitted clear rear spotlight with it's own switch on the dash, presumably to help with reversing. It never worked and I haven't checked the bulb but the light works on the dash switch, as does the fog switch light.

The electrics are questionable generally, since the previous owner told me that the factory T.V. and reversing camera screen would only work on a hot day, which turned out to be true. I've only seen it work twice on two very hot summer days a year or two apart. Radio works but can't see what I'm doing. Clearly a thermally related connection issue there. The rear camera cover also fails to close half the time too but I think it's an indecisive or sticky switch on the reversing selector.

Will update progress if any and appreciate any input, particularly links to articles that may show the 5w lighting relay/s in question in a '97 JDM. By the way, according to Google this site is DANGEROUS and has known security issues related to phishing. Basically they warned against even entering the site. Needs serious attention. Cheers!

Thelgord
09/30/2017, 07:03 AM
Yes, the army has also blocked this site as of last Monday for the same reason. So, no more checking the forum from work.

As to your problem, chasing electrics is a real PITA. Requires several hours of testing. However, it sounds like a ground issue. If it was a hot wire issue I would assume the fuse would blow, but not necessary. Again, electrics are tough to diagnose. Just take your time and be very systematic about testing wire continuity.

Monstertrucker
10/28/2017, 03:38 AM
Yes, the army has also blocked this site as of last Monday for the same reason. So, no more checking the forum from work.

As to your problem, chasing electrics is a real PITA. Requires several hours of testing. However, it sounds like a ground issue. If it was a hot wire issue I would assume the fuse would blow, but not necessary. Again, electrics are tough to diagnose. Just take your time and be very systematic about testing wire continuity.

Thanks. I still haven't looked at the truck again but have been reading the PDF manual for the '99 U.S. model and really need a JDM manual for my '98 if anyone can link me to one?

Am I right in assuming that the headlamp relay controls all the lights on the stalk twist switch? I can hear it click when I switch on the headlights in positions two and three but don't remember if it clicked when turning on the running lights when it used to work. 5 pin relays would presumably give three triggers for low, high and main beam if my logic is correct?

I'll look into testing or swapping out the headlamp relay once I've popped the bonnet/hood again. Going by Rockauto's parts listing for the '99 VehiCross, (since they don't list the earlier JDM models), you have common relays for most of the systems as they seem to have standardised them so you can just swap the A/C relay for the Headlamp for example to test the circuits. Hopefully I'll be able to do the same.

Monstertrucker
10/29/2017, 07:59 AM
Ok, yesterday I swapped out the A/C relay for the Lighting relay as they have the same part number and the A/C worked normally but the running lights still don't work on low, first click, only the headlights in high and main beam. I'll check the fuses again but the problem was intermittent the last time they worked, which again, is why I really don't think it's the switch either, though next I'll check that for continuity before searching for shorts or bad grounds as they could be anywhere. I do remember driving through a deep roadside puddle which splashed up into the front wheel arches before the issue started so it may be a corroded terminal somewhere.