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  #1  
Old 01-29-2018, 09:15 PM
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Exclamation No Headlights!!

Ok, as you can tell from the title, I need some help.

Came out from work tonight and started the 83 300D, turned the headlight switch, and no headlights!! Pulled back the column stalk switch and no high beams either!

Here is what I know. All 4 fuses for the headlights look good (what are the odds of all 4 going bad at the same time anyway), the tailights and brake lights work normally, the parking lights, turn signals and hazard flashers work ok, the fog lights work fine, the instrument cluster lights are fine, and the high beam indicator comes on and the fog lights go off when you try to turn on the highbeams, just no headlights whatsoever.

Any ideas? What I am going to try is to check the wiring as I suspect a broken wire or a bad light switch.

If anyone could post a copy of the headlight wiring schematic (with either pin numbers or wire colors) and instructions on how to remove (and test) the headlight switch I would be supremely grateful!

On a good note, as I was driving home (via the fog lights) the car turned over 320,000 miles!

Thanks in advance,

Glenn

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2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)
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  #2  
Old 01-29-2018, 09:22 PM
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I believe there is a headlight ground next to the headlight assembly on, I believe, the passenger side. Might be worth checking.
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2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold
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  #3  
Old 01-29-2018, 09:33 PM
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Bad headlight switch?
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1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.
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  #4  
Old 01-29-2018, 10:45 PM
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Ok, I found a wiring diagram online, and based on what still works, it is safe to assume all the fuses, and the column switch are good, and pretty sure the headlight switch is ok too.
So, I'm thinking a bad ground wire as that appears to be the one common point between the lights......Unless both bulbs (all 4 filaments) went at the same time.
__________________
2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)
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  #5  
Old 01-29-2018, 10:55 PM
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Pull the connector out of one of the bulbs. There are three terminals...one iis ground, one is power for low beams, one power for high beams. Test with a DVM, and narrow down the possibilities.
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  #6  
Old 01-29-2018, 11:31 PM
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Good Idea!
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2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)
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  #7  
Old 01-30-2018, 09:54 AM
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Location: Atlanta, GA
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That happened to me and it turned out that the headlight switch itself had gotten just loose enough that I was not turning the toggle, I was turning the entire switch. Tightened it up and the toggle turned the lights on and off again.
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  #8  
Old 01-30-2018, 02:14 PM
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Ok, I fixed it! Ran some voltage checks and found out that the culprit was the 30 Amp safety fuse I installed between the battery and the two relays I am using to control my slightly (70W/90W) more powerful H4 headlights. Looks like it got some moisture in it from all the rain we have had lately, and simply gave up the ghost. Either that, or it just decided it was time to go, as it had been working perfectly for the last 5 years.

Anyway, a new fuse and holder, and we are back up and running.

Glenn
__________________
2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)
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  #9  
Old 01-30-2018, 04:08 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,493
Always nice when it's an easy fix. Might be worth carrying a spare in your glove box.

__________________
2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold
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