electrical and ignition Headlights no longer functioning

[francoid]

Good evening,
Long time BMW owner but I am a n00b w/r to the 2002, only had the car a week.
Last night, first time I used it at night, my headlights went dark... Position/blinkers and tail lights work. 
Headlights were on and turned off suddenly as I inadvertently touched the left lever ("headlights dip and flash lever").
All fuses in fuse box are good. What should I look at next?
Thank you
FrancoiD

 

1972 2002 roundie Agave/black 

[danco_]

Have you actually moved the fuses? As in, agitate them in their carriers? Many times, the old fuses will lose contact or not have a strong connection. This is especially prominent with the aluminum-end fuses. 

 

 What about the headlight switch itself? This is located on the left side of the gauge cluster. 

 

 

[francoid]

That was quick, thank you Danco. Nope, not agitated the fuses... Will do but will low hope since things were working until the exact time I touched the left lever (old reflexes, looking for turn signal).

As far as headlight switch, yes I did move it a bit. No luck.

[Hans]

I believe there is a relay, near the battery. try giving it a whack.

[Simeon]

You may have put your high beam on but because of an issue with the relay they don't work. Check the relay operation and try the column stalk. 

[Mike Self]

72s don't have relays for either high or low beams unless a PO added 'em.  

 

But 72s do have separate fuses for each low beam (3 & 4); the high beams aren't fused at all.  After checking those two fuses to make sure they're clean (and the contact points aren't worn through), see if you have high beams by turning on the headlight switch and selecting high beams.  If they work and the lows don't, I'd suspect the low/high beam stalk.  With no relays in the system (why BMW added 'em on squarelights) both the headlight switch and the low/high beam switch carry all those amps and can burn out.  You can remove the switch and jump across 

 

If neither low or high beams work, I'd suspect the headlight switch itself.  

 

Check it out and let us know whatcha find...

 

mike

[francoid]

Thanks Mike, I was struggling to find that relay indeed. Pretty sure it's the switch. Can these be found/repaired/rebuilt/replaced? May need to install relay as a result of this incident...

Cheers

[Mike Self]

You can pull the low/high beam stalk assembly and test it with an ohmmeter to see if it's functioning properly.  Check a wiring diagram for which terminals do what; they're all numbered.  If you're lucky you may be able to clean it with electronic tuner cleaner in a squirt can, without dismantling it.  But they can be dismantled (very carefully), contacts cleaned and reassembled.  

 

When you go to add a relay, suggest you get a fused relay for your high beams; easy to wire into the system.  I did a column on that; let me know when you're ready and I'll send you a copy.  If you do relays on the low beams, you'll need two since they're fused and wired separately.  I did my high beams (on my '73) but never did the lows, and my switches are original--and fine.  I did the high beams primarily to get a fuse into the system.

 

Count your blessings:  six fuse 02s don't have either the high or low beams fused, much less relayed!

 

cheers

mike

[Hans]

One learns something every day.

[francoid]

And looks like I am going to learn today!

 

Unlike my E24, I have no Electrical Troubleshooting Manual or other wiring schematics. I also have no schematics of how the stalk assembly is held together. I am sure I can figure it out by trial and error, but it'd be nice to gain some time and avoid breaking something, is there a technical reference somewhere I should look at?

Thanks

[nesky45]

Check your ground. On my car there is a screw on driver side fender. There is like 3 grounds there. Take apart, sand, and put back together. See if that works. Cheers. Craig


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[francoid]

51 minutes ago, nesky45 said:

Check your ground. On my car there is a screw on driver side fender. There is like 3 grounds there. Take apart, sand, and put back together. See if that works. Cheers. Craig

 

Thanks Craig, never a bad thing to do regardless and I will do it in the morning.

 

Also found a wiring diagram in the back of the owner's manual. So funny that it fits in 2 pages, whereas there's a 60 pages manual for the E24's electrical. I'd call that good news, there's a chance I might figure it out.

 

Thank you all, really helpful. Also starting another thread on another problem I just noticed...

[JerryC]

Wiring diagrams at tii register:

http://www.2002tii.org/kb/246

 

[nesky45]

Sweet simplicity!

[francoid]

Thank you. Pulled out my magnifying glass and am working on it!