TheSamba.com :: View topic - Headlights were working fine but now no more headlights

Thu Dec 13, 2012 6:56 pm

I am a new bus owner and I did not have any problems before but now the headlights of my bus don't work. I am new to working on cars and I think this might be easy issue to fix but the headlights on the bus were working fine but one day after work and when I was ready to go home the headlights did not turn on. I can see that everything else worked (blinkers, break lights, and the little lights that go around) but no headlights. I know the first thing to do is to check the fuses, so I did and everything is ok. Now the next step??? what would it be? replace the headlight switch, relay, or even the headlights. But is there any way I can check what the problem is before I start changing all this staff. If there are any threads that have this please let me know. any troubleshooting advise? Thanks
1972 VW Bus

Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:07 pm

Welcome,
The place to start is by turning the ignition key back and forth slightly/slowly in the run position while watching for the headlights, I suspect your ignition switch is worn out. The next step is find the black/yellow wire that goes to the headlight switch from the ignition switch (it also powers the wipers but through the fuse box), if it's dead (key on) the ignition switch is toast, if it has power start tracing past the headlight switch, maybe the relay has failed (very unlikely neither high or low beam work).
This may help too: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiring/bus_8_71_1700.jpg

Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:14 pm

thanks for welcoming. let me go try that right now. but Im sorry I very new to all of this, how would I know if the black/yellow wire is dead?

Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:54 pm

Get yourself a test light or a volt meter. I prefer the test light for this sort of thing but it is up to you. If you do not have a Bentley manual I would (and so will everyone else) recommend that you buy one. The new ones have color wiring diagrams and are about $40 on amazon.com. Here is my thread on electrical issues involving headlights that has some useful information http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=532837&highlight=
Also go to the top of the forum and use the "search". Many people have had this problem before. Enjoy your bus and post a picture or two :D

Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:25 am

You didn't really say, do your high beams work?
If so, I'd say it's the relay.

Welcome to the world of busses! A little patience and you'll figure it out. :D

Fri Dec 14, 2012 12:58 pm

Once you have the tester you just poke the sharp end through the wire insulation to get to the conductor. Make sure the other end of you tester is grounded. You might try practicing on a known good wire first.

Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:19 pm

Yea i bought the tester and i think there is no power coming to the headlights. I think i did it right. I pocked the 3 cables (white, yellow, and red) and there was no power. What would be the next step. How can i check what wrong now the headlight switch or relay.
Neither the high or low beams work.
I do have the bentley.
Where would the dimmer delay be?
Thanks everyone for your responses[/img]

Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:25 pm

I believe your problem is your ignition switch like bus daddy said. Have you tried wiggling the key while the headlights are on. That's with the key turned on of course

Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:00 pm

The dimmer relay is a big box attached to the bottom of your fuse box. To get to it you have to pull the fuse box up and out. Disconnect the battery before you do this because you will be dealing with a lot of wires.

Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:23 pm

Yea i tried wiggling the key with headlight switch on and nothing happened

Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:55 pm

I used the tester on the yellow and black cable that comes to the headlight switch and with the key on and there is power in that place. What would that mean? That the headlight switch and the ignition switch are good? Then i should focus in the relay now?
Thanks everyone for your patience
https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/atta...p;sadssc=1
https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/atta...0OPYt4zYN4

Fri Dec 14, 2012 7:30 pm

lupian20 wrote: I used the tester on the yellow and black cable that comes to the headlight switch and with the key on and there is power in that place. What would that mean?
That means the next wire to probe is #56 (white/black) coming from the headlight switch to the relay under the fuse box.

Fri Dec 14, 2012 7:31 pm

Busdaddy? Oops, you beat me to it

Fri Dec 14, 2012 8:46 pm

ok i checked black/white and that one does not give me a light in the tester. so that a bad relay?[/quote]

Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:59 pm

That indicates a bad switch or something disconnected/not making good contact.

Sat Dec 15, 2012 1:46 pm

For reference:

Sat Dec 15, 2012 6:16 pm

i have headlights!!! thanks everyone for your help. it was the headlights switch. The only problem is that I could not find the german made part so it did not fit nicely so the switch is kind of loose, but I deal with it later. http://lh4.ggpht.com/upXO0a_DTMAnmCgLDfVL7FyCNIcmeF54fgcPIXH_8hfDxLIr00FO5L7kH8xzSjN_sj5PRg=s114

Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:33 pm

Good to hear it

Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:52 pm

Hi, I'm having the same problem with mine. I already tested for power from the black/white cable from the switch to the relay and it is ok but the yellow calble coming out of the relay doesn't have power. It's is the problenm on the relay? Because I got a new relay and it's not working. I jumped the black/white with the yellow and the lights work. May be I got a default relay? Thanks

Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:32 pm

If you have power to 56 but none coming out of either 56a or 56b the relay is faulty, one or the other should have power when 56 is powered.