Headlight problem, Please help! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

rolla16v · 02-04-2004, 12:42 PM

Hope someone can help with a big problem im having.

The pop-up headlights on my 1989 (gen4?) Celica wont operate correctly.
To descibe in a bit more detail:

If the headlights are down then they wont come back up.
If the headlights are wound up manually and then the light control switch on the indicator stalk is turned to the 'lower lights' position, then the lights move down to their stored away position.

So far all i have managed to discover is that if i close the relay (contained within the headlight retractor unit under the dash) manually with a thin screwdriver then the headlights cycle up and down repeatedly

I have the haynes manual which contains wiring diagrams etc but making sense of them is proving difficult.

Thanks in advance, I really hope someone has an idea what to do

Blane · 02-04-2004, 04:43 PM

Sounds like you know more than us.
Keep looking and good luck!

TRDcelicaGTFOUR · 02-09-2004, 08:22 PM

try opening up the motor, the wire inside may be corroded, or barely making contact. I had a similar problem with mine. I also seem to have trouble with one when its really cold. Some advice, keep em up all winter. Hope I was some help.

Deep · 02-09-2004, 08:49 PM

I'll look at the Haynes manual tomorrow and see if I can find the circuit.

rolla16v · 02-11-2004, 04:58 PM

Thanks for all your replys. I have tested the 2 Diodes in the headlight motor and they both seem fine. The wires seem fine too.

To deep, I have the headlight wiring diagram from the haynes manual which i could scan in and mail you if its any help.
Im not great with car wiring diagrams so if you can help it would be appreciated

Deep · 02-11-2004, 08:39 PM

I can't find the manual, I hate when people borrow my shit and don't return it.

Anyway, the headlights go up and down, so the motors are good and theres power. The switch works in two positions, but not the third. The relay works when the circuit is closed. Chances are its one of the two, the relay is a bit pricey from the dealer (call and check anyway), but a universal bosch-style relay will work if do some very minor wiring, mainly extending the wires using female spade connectors and some wire, and they're about $5, give it a try. Next suspect would be the switch. Relays do burn out over time.

One other thing you can do is check for continuity between the headlight motors and the relay box to see if theres a break, though its doubtful.

dodger1 · 02-12-2004, 11:10 AM

I will give this a shot without seeing the diagram.
You need to determine if the relay is getting a signal (likely ground) from the headlight switch when it is in the close position before going any farther with this. The other side of the relay coil socket should have battery from the fuse. Use a 12volt test light to check - a meter doesn't really work well for this because it will show 12v even when there is a poor connection. Next I would suggest testing the relay coil itself. Put one side to ground and the other side to battery and you should hear it operate. If it doesn't I would pick up another from the wrecking yard. Just look for a used relay (Japanese) that has the same colour housing. Check that the terminals are in the same place. They should be if the colour is the same.
I should be able to look at the wiring diagram either tonight or tomorrow and give you the relay socket terminals to check and or wire colour codes.
Let us know how you make out.

fastshot03 · 02-12-2004, 04:05 PM

I am haveing the same problem with my 92 celica lights. One day I turned them on and the just started flipping up and down. Some times they will finally stop in the upright position, but sometimes only one light will stay up. ??!!!

dodger1 · 02-13-2004, 09:30 AM

From your original post it seems you have proven everything to be ok except for the headlight switch and the integration relay. When you turn the headlights on you should have ground on terminal 14 (red-yellow) wire at what Toyota calls the integration relay which is actually a little module containing two relays, 3 transistors and an integrated circuit. This is just below the dash on the left side - not the headlight relay. With this module disconnected you could turn the headlight switch on and look for the ground with your 12 v test light. If the ground is there I would replace the integration relay (module). Probably a dealer only item

.

rolla16v · 02-14-2004, 10:39 AM

Thanks again for all your advice guys,

Ive tested all the points as suggested and i think ive narrowed it down to the relay unit being faulty.
Posted the relay off to a friend who is VERY good with electronics so he can test all the individual components and hopefully find the problem.
Would normally get a new unit from the Scrap yard but these celicas are hard to find in bonnie Scotland. I dont wanna go to toyota for a new one as they are ultra expensive lol

To Fastshot03, hope i can shed some light on your problem.
I would start by checking the Motor units. Work one side at a time and look for the part where 3 wires enter the motor housing. This is a cirular part with two screws holding the cover on. If the design is similar to mine then this part tells the motor when it is at the top or bottom of its cycle.
Check inside that the 3 metal contacts are touching the disc inside and that the inside hasnt gummed up or got dirty.

Ill keep you all informed as to how i get on with my problem