K12 stacked at high beam

[kilip_21]

Hi guys! Happy New Year to all off you!

I've seen that this topic has been discussed previously, but it seems that my case is a bit different.
I just purchased a 2009 Nissan March (imported from Japan). The stalk has three positions -> OFF, Sidelights and Headlights. Now, when I turn it to the second position (headlights) it goes to high beam and it stays there no-matter if I change to low beam or flick it. Of course the blue indicator light in the dash is on.
I was reading all the threads I could find here regarding the melted connectors, blown fuses, oxidation, relays, faulty stalk and grounding problems.
It seems to be a difference on my car as it is fitted with H11 bulbs and not the H4 you are all referring to. After checking both of them they are as good as new. No signs of melt, humidity or oxidation. It was a bit tricky to open the bulbs cap, but after doing so, I am telling you they are in really good condition.
Next I checked the fuses and relays. Mine are fitted below the left hand side headlight. I had to remove it prior to accessing that box (still wondering why the Japanese did that). Again, everything in perfect condition! I checked the fuses and could hear the relays clicking.
Next on to the stalk. I removed it, disassemble it to check the contacts condition and verify with a multimeter. That as well, was in really good condition and the contacts were working properly.
I believe that what is left (according to previous threads is the grounding). Not sure what to check though.

Keep in mind that even the car is almost 13 years old it only has 45000 km on it (around 28000 miles). Further, I live in Cyprus where the weather is mostly hot and dry. I am not sure if that information helps but I am giving it anyway!!!

Regards Andreas

 

[Mach1]

Welcome to the club, I was wondering what the headlights do when you flash the headlights using the stork? do they flash high or low? if they flash low when they should be high, then you need to cross check the wiring with a schematic.

 

[Mach1]

A quick check shows that:The H11 bulb is one of the most commonly used bulbs. It can be used in low beam, high beam , or fog lights on many vehicles. "The H11 is a single beam bulb and can be used in one position only".So you need to change the bulbs to H4. then you will get back the high and low function!!!!!

 

[kilip_21]

Welcome to the club, I was wondering what the headlights do when you flash the headlights using the stork? do they flash high or low? if they flash low when they should be high, then you need to cross check the wiring with a schematic.

Thanks for the greetings!
Actually they do nothing. They are stack at one position (high as it seems)

A quick check shows that:The H11 bulb is one of the most commonly used bulbs. It can be used in low beam, high beam , or fog lights on many vehicles. "The H11 is a single beam bulb and can be used in one position only".So you need to change the bulbs to H4. then you will get back the high and low function!!!!!

Ok. That seems to be interesting!!! But I'd like to add here (and I don't know if that is true for all the other vehicles), that the headlight is fitted with three bulbs inside. The upper one which is the smallest and it lights up while the stork is on the first position and then there are the other two: the lower is a mid sized and the middle which is the H11. From that configuration I suppose that the lower bulb should light up on the second position of the stork and the H11 when the high beam is selected. I'll try sending a picture later. From your point of view it seems that both the lower and middle bulbs will light up and then the middle will have a "second beam" function for the high beam let's say...

 

[Duckham]

Did the Japanese version have H11s fitted as standard or has someone has made a modification to fit them?

If they are standard, is there a single relay that controls both high and low beam? If so I'd be looking carefully at that (or just replacing it if cheap enough)
Joe

 

[kilip_21]

Did the Japanese version have H11s fitted as standard or has someone has made a modification to fit them?

If they are standard, is there a single relay that controls both high and low beam? If so I'd be looking carefully at that (or just replacing it if cheap enough)
Joe

It seems that indeed the Japanese version is fitted with H11s. See the attached images. The first one shows that the headlight assembly is fitted with three bulbs. Due to the lack of H11 to change states I suppose. The second one is the headlight from the inside. The H4 can not be fitted in the H11s place. The housing is different.
For your relay question: From the clicking sounds, I can distinguish two different relays. The first one for the side lights and then another for the headlights. The problem is that I only hear one relay clicking if I position the stork to the second position and/or if I flick it back and forth. It's like I am missing a relay whose operation has been connected on the headlights low position, if you can understand what I am trying to say...

 

[Duckham]

Does the low beam ever come on with any switch settings?
You mention cleaning the relays - is there 1 for low and 1 for high? Can you swap them over and see what happens? If only a single relay I would replace it if you can't check it's operation.