Headlights came on on their own and now won't come back on!

Bongo Virgin 2 · Post by **Bongo Virgin 2** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 8:04 pm

Got me stumped at the moment.
Last week I returned to the Bongo to find the headlights were on, but I hadn't left them switched on. It had been raining hard and the drain point under the bonnet lip by the windscreen was blocked. I drove home and then took a look under the bonnet. I found one of the two relays for the headlights and side lights was fried and the connector plug had melted. I bought a generic 12v 20amp relay and fitted it to replace the old fried one. When I fitted it I heard the relay engage. I thought that was odd but figured it wasn't compatible in some way. I ordered some used Mazda Bongo ones and fitted both new ones tonight to be sure. Still no lights though and I can still hear the relay engaging as I connect one of the two. I can't find a fuse that is out that would stop the lights coming on. I have unplugged the main headlight fuse and I can hear the relay disengage. I am puzzled as to where the problem could lie what with the relay energising but no headlights at all. I presume I have a loom problem or a switch problem on the controls in the car. I get no dashboard backlights if I turn the head light switch on but I can get the main beam to flash by pulling the stalk back to flash them. Brake lights and the car itself all run fine.
I figure I need to get an auto electrician to take a look but I wondered if anyone might have any idea.

Post by **g8dhe** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 10:54 pm

Quite a few Bongo's come equipped with aftermarket automatic head light switches, you will probably find a small object on the dashboard with a cable and control switch and a light sensor looking out thru the window screen, this needs to be either removed or adjusted as required see below;

The other sensor actually built into the dashboard itself nearer the windowscreen is part of the air con. controls and detects strong sunlight and adjusts the air con. appropriately!

rita · Post by **rita** » Fri Oct 16, 2015 10:34 am

Are the bulbs OK

Bongo Virgin 2 · Post by **Bongo Virgin 2** » Fri Oct 16, 2015 6:15 pm

Thanks. I don't have automatic headlights so not that I am afraid. I have looked at the bulbs and all filaments seem intact. Some more head scratching for me yet.

Post by **g8dhe** » Fri Oct 16, 2015 6:38 pm

The Headlight Flash switch by-passes the relay, but that doesn't seem to be your problem, I think you need to check with a meter just what is going on.

Bongo Virgin 2 · Post by **Bongo Virgin 2** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 11:56 am

Thanks very much. I will have another root about.

Bongo Virgin 2 · Post by **Bongo Virgin 2** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 2:22 pm

Well, I have done more checking and I am none the wiser.
I will study the wiring diagrams a bit more before I get someone else to look at it.
The relay is engaging when I connect it up, even though the head light switch isn't turned on but I don't get any lights for the sides or the dipped, etc. With the door open no alarm sounds when I turn the switch for the headlamps on either. I presume this means that either the switch isn't engaging or there is no power getting to the alarm sounder. The dashboard lights don't come on and the heater temperature display doesn't dim when the switch is turned on either.
Power is getting to the relay and when I pull out the headlamp fuse, 30A, you hear it disengage. I don't think I have the relay connected up wrongly. I replaced the relay for the sides and the dipped/main beam.
All very odd.

Headlights came on on their own and now won't come back on!

Headlights came on on their own and now won't come back on!

Re: Headlights came on on their own and now won't come back

Re: Headlights came on on their own and now won't come back

Re: Headlights came on on their own and now won't come back

Re: Headlights came on on their own and now won't come back

Re: Headlights came on on their own and now won't come back

Re: Headlights came on on their own and now won't come back