2000 V70R Headlight switch issue??

Post by **scot850** » 23 Nov 2020, 19:54

So I had planned to take the R into our local repair shop to swap the winter tires over and carry out an oil change (I can't currently access my garage).

Anyways as the car has been sitting for a couple of weeks, I took the battery out to charge the battery as it was low on charge.

I just re-fitted the battery as I have done hundreds of times before. No issues.

Started the car (it is night-time) and when I went to switch the headlights on, the turn signal arrows both came on. Also the headlight full beam light and one other. Then the car started to run rough and then the ETS light came on and various others. Switched the car off and tried again. Again everything is fine until I switch the headlights switch on. Doesn't matter which setting same result.

Can I assume the headlight switch has decided to fail at a totally inconvenient time as usual?

Could there be anything else that could cause this issue? Naturally I have several light switches but of course they are away in storage.

Anything else I should consider?

Neil.

Post by **scot850** » 24 Nov 2020, 08:15

The other thing to add is when the car was last used at night (about a year ago) it was at night and no issues then.

Lastly, only other thing I can think of other than removing and fitting the battery, is that when trying to wrestle the battery in with a gimpy arm at night and limited light, the battery terminals accidentely touched the terminals and there was a slight spark. Could I have fried something in the electrical circuit and engaging the lights is only a symptom of this?

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **misha** » 24 Nov 2020, 12:42

If the spark was from correct terminals + on + and - on -...then it wasn't that.
If they sparked from short...then yes.

Other thing to consider is that a mouse eat some wirings when the car wasn't used.

Post by **scot850** » 24 Nov 2020, 13:13

You are correct misha. + to + and - to - not + to -. Thanks for the reply.

Mice is always a possibility.

I will have to wait for a couple of weeks now to find time to work on it. I have to finish painting my new garage and then do some more finishing work including re-fitting the garage door guides. Then the garage can be used and I can then get the car in and work on it properly.

It is weird though that the issue starts only (so far) when I switch the headlight switch on to either setting. When I switch the headlight switch on the full headlights come on and both the indicator arrows light up and stay solid and on. I am not sure if the light bulb light also comes on. I will have to re-look at that when I have time.

Neil.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 24 Nov 2020, 23:00

Your headlight switch doesn’t connect with the
turn signals anyplace that I’m aware of.

It might be worth taking a look at your headlight
and front turn signal grounds. If you’ve got a poor
ground, something like this could happen.

I can’t think of anything else that’s shared by
your “extra” lights.

Post by **abscate** » 25 Nov 2020, 03:44

There was a recall on 1999 headlight switches that mine had done, so there is a history there

Make sure your battery is fully charged and holding charge. Bus voltage on ETM cars has to be good, or you are taking the Bus!

Your ignition switch , electrical part isn’t vintage is it? That could be another place to look.

Post by **scot850** » 25 Nov 2020, 17:10

Thanks guys. I am also baffled. Yet another PITA from this car. It has neve been an easy car to own!

Battery was a brand new Interstate about 11 months ago replacing a previous one with a bad cell. I think I replaced the electrical position of the the ignition but would have to spend days going through the receipts over the last 8? years to see. I think I have a new one somewhere in the stash.

Alternator was replaced about 8 years ago. Car has done 12000 km since then. Lack of use does not help!

With the ignition switch they normally show a failing pattern. This has gone from good to bad from one day to the next so not sure it is that.

Turning the lights on is what seems to lead to the problem. I am hoping to have our new garage usable in the next couple of weeks so it will have to wait until then and I can get it under cover in a heated garage with good lighting!!

Appreciate the suggestions. Maybe looking at the lights might be a good idea including their earths as suggested.

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **Clemens** » 26 Nov 2020, 15:35

Have you tried turning the light switch back and forth a couple of times with the ignition off as you would do with a PNP switch?

I had a weird dirt issue in the turn signal switch of a 2001 Can Bus Audi A6 that I cured by spraying WD 40 in there and wiggling it up and down for a bit.

After all the work and money you put into your R, it'd be about time it thanked you for it...

Post by **scot850** » 26 Nov 2020, 19:42

Thanks Clemens. I'll try that and see if it makes a difference. Worth a try. I have spare used light switches but all my stuff is in storage for another 2-3 weeks. Hopefully I can retrieve all my spares soon and get the car into a nice heated and warm garage to look at the PITA. To think that is all the thanks the car has given me after buying another set of rims (Volans) and new winter tires!!

Neil.

Post by **Clemens** » 28 Nov 2020, 12:24

I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Bit as BeJinfbk pointed out, it is still weird. But maybe the switch draws high currents due to a short and this screws up tje whole system.