95 Pathfinder - R headlight just comes on

mm82831 · Jun 22nd, 2005, 05:16 PM

My problem - sometimes the R headlight comes on without the headlight switch being activated, and the only way to turn it off is to pull the R headlight fuse. The L is never a problem. Activating the headlight switch on and off has no affect. Per research on this site, I believe my issue is in the switch. I removed it and I plan to clean the contacts, but I do not understand how the switch activates to turn the R headlight on. The R and L contacts are open with the lights off, and close when the lights are turned on. For the R headlight to activate on its own, the contact would have to close without the switch being activated. Is this a common problem, or maybe I have something else I need to check? Thanks for the help.

X-Traction · Jun 22nd, 2005, 06:19 PM

This is very odd, hence the lack of responses. Does this happen with the ignition off? Does this happen with both high and low beam, or is it just the daytime running light? Maybe there's a short in the light's hot wire.

If you can't find the problem, you could divert the hot wire back to the dash and put in a toggle switch. Fast and dirty. Or better yet, cut out the hot wire at the light and the headlight switch, and run a new wire. I had to do this to fix the glove box light in our PF, which wouldn't work and had previously been implicated in a dashboard wiring short.

Animal · Jun 22nd, 2005, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-Traction

This is very odd, ...

Very odd indeed. see post A '94 and a '95 having this same unusual problem in the same month!? (humming theme music from Twilight Zone).

mm82831 · Jun 23rd, 2005, 08:34 AM

The light comes on with the ignition off and the car parked. It may come on when driving, but I cannot tell. When I pull the fuse for a while, I can re-insert it, and the R light does not come on (light switch off). I think I will wait unit it does it again, and then spread the R contact in the switch (I have it accessable). If the contacts are together I will know the problem. If the contacts are not together, the next area I will check is for an internal short in the switch. I did not see the similar issue on this board until after my post (I had searched the day before). I agree it is a strange issue, and I suspect we have exactly the same problem.

flex968 · Aug 24th, 2007, 08:41 PM

I have a 95 Pathfinder and My driver-side headlight will not turn off.It will not turn off at all Keys In / Keys Out. Ignition on / Ignition Off.
Only way I could get it to turn off is to unplug the lamp.
Any results from the previous replies?

flex968 · Aug 24th, 2007, 08:49 PM

Another 95 Pathfinder Question...
Anybody know if the rear window switch commonly goes bad?
I was going to go to a junk yard and pull a new one but dont know if it's the switch or the actuator...

**88pathoffroad** · Aug 25th, 2007, 09:05 PM

Check your headlight switch, it's the only thing that can make the headlight come on by itself. Rear window switches commonly break as far as I've seen.