headlights, the engine shuts off. It will run fine, with the AC, Radio, blinkers, and even the parking lights, but as soon as I try to turn the headlight on, it kills the engine. The lights turn on, even when the engine is off, but it will not allow it to start when they are on. Any ideas any one????
2007-06-29 07:19:02 · 8 answers · asked by longhorns4459 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Check for wires that are above the ambient temperature.
A non touch infrared thermometer will be helpful on finding this problem.
2007-06-29 07:34:23 · answer #1 · answered by gejandsons 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most usable clue here is when you turn the headlights on and try to start the motor. Does it turn over at all? Does it click or is it just nothing? If it tries to turn over but is slow the previous answers are right on. If there is no sound when you turn the key it must be shorted to the ignition wires under the dash. If it turns over but doesn't start it could be shorted to a coil wire. Just some ideas. There are normally two yellow wires under the dash for the ignition, one starts and one needs power all the time to keep the engine running. Those wires are commonly used for security systems and may have been cut and taped already.
Have you had any recent maintenance?
Have you recently had a car alarm or stereo installed?
If so, these would be excellent places to start.
2007-06-29 08:16:53 · answer #2 · answered by Airmech 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think that you have a short in the wiring going to the headlights. The insulation on the wiring my have been scraped off and is touching a metal part under the hood.
You can start by doing a visual inspection on the wiring, start at the back of the headlights and physically tracr the wiring back to the headlight relay. Look for discolored wiring or burn marks on the wiring.
2007-06-29 07:34:28 · answer #3 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Huge power drain on the light circuit. Connect an ammeter between the headlight circuit and the battery with engine off. See how much they circuit is drawing. If it exceeds spec then you need to unplug one bulb at a time and retest to see which side if pulling too much power. If one side is pulling more amps check wiring for a dead short or bad ground. If both are pulling evenly check source wiring for short or bad ground. This will be hard and time consuming so good luck.
2007-06-29 07:29:07 · answer #4 · answered by K R 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yup, I'd have to agree with the others here. Your electrical problem is somewhere in the headlight circuitry or wiring. Take it to a trustworthy mechanic, he/she should be able to use a multimeter to find the problem area. Hopefully it will be something easy and quick to find and fix.
2007-06-29 07:36:52 · answer #5 · answered by shiznannigan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it either has a real bad short in it causing this to happen or the alternator is completely shot on it,and it takes all the power from the battery to run it,i have seen a few do this but its rare that it does it like this,but id have the wiring in the harness checked something is going to ground when you turn on the lights,and that's whats killing it,be careful also ,you need to also check all the ground straps on it make sure none of them are missing or broken in to,that will also do this,an electrical problem can sometimes be real hard to find,if you take your time with it you might find where its shorted out at,other wise have it repaired,a shop may be able to go strait to the problem with it,good luck hope this helps.
2007-06-29 07:28:57 · answer #6 · answered by dodge man 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
There is a short circuit somewhere in the headlight circuit or switch. Unfortunately its going to be a royal PITA to find it.
2007-06-29 07:24:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like an electrical problem. Take it and have an electrician look at it.
2007-06-29 07:25:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋