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Topic: Headlights randomly flashing off-on-off-etc. (Read 519 times) previous topic - next topic

Headlights randomly flashing off-on-off-etc.

My coach has the front upgrade by the PO. I rarely drive at night but use my headlamps during the day for safety. Took a brief trip for a wedding. My wife took her car separate from the coach. After being in the road for a couple of hours, she advised that my low beam headlamps were turning on-off. Lots of conversation between us but the "pulsing" wasn't to any particular pattern and would sometime go for longer periods with no pulsing. When I arrived at the campground I parked and left the headlights on, engine NOT running, no pulse. Probably not related but I also noticed my emergency flashers aren't working (I'll test the flash unit).

Is there a headlamp relay? Where? Any ideas where to start with the old multimeter when I get home this weekend? Possible causes?
Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399

Re: Headlights randomly flashing off-on-off-etc.

Reply #1 –
I had an issue with the emergency flashers and turn signals not working last trip out. Our relays are located behind the dash kick panel in front of passenger seat. After deducing which we're which, there are many, we were able to reset there. Not sure if headlights have one there also. Also a thought...we have the small round Upgrade headlights also on our coach also. They have a tight beam and are very directional. During the day, the road bouncing of the coach makes them appear to go on and off even though they are staying on. At night it does not seem to hinder the effectiveness as they are very bright and light up road well.. just a thought.
Keith and Dawn Hudson #18766
Current- 1999 U295 DFGE 40ft. - Build #5405
Coach Name: 4BUS4US
Previous- 2008 Nimbus CE338: 40th Anniversary Edition- Build #6486. 
Toad: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

 "I know something about a lot of things..a lot about something's..and everything about nothing "

Re: Headlights randomly flashing off-on-off-etc.

Reply #2 –
The switch for the emergency flashers is on my steering column.  When I turn them on and then off, sometime it will not let the blinkers work.  I have to fiddle with the button and then the flashers will work.  Where is your emergency flasher switch in your coach located?
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Headlights randomly flashing off-on-off-etc.

Reply #3 –
From your description it sounds like the resettable circuit breaker tripping. Movement from driving is shorting something out. That would not be related to the turn signal issue.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Headlights randomly flashing off-on-off-etc.

Reply #4 –
If those are HID lights the issue might be that one or more of them are not being ignited successfully by the ballast.  This can often be cured by unplugging the  connection from ballast at bulb and cleaning and reattaching.  Deoxit does the trick, and be sure lights are off before attempting.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Headlights randomly flashing off-on-off-etc.

Reply #5 –
Do you have a smart steering wheel? My coach was doing the exact same thing. Ended up being the dimmer circuit for the air conditioning background lights. Panel was damaged and shorting out causing a bunch of weird lighting issues. I simply unplugged that panel background plug and all was resolved.  I've left it disconnected and had no more issues. It's a 600 volt ac system with the smart wheel.
Scott

Re: Headlights randomly flashing off-on-off-etc.

Reply #6 –
1. We don't have the smart wheel.
2. Will start with the resettable circuit breakers behind the copilot panel.
3. I am wondering about the ballast. Will Deoxit connections.
4. The emergency flasher unit may be dead. Cheap to replace. Flasher switch on steering column. Total dead.

I did notice the following on the way home. The headlights burned steady for about 1.5 hrs then started the "pulsing". I switched off. After 15 min or so driving without lights I switched them back on. Steady lights.  About 30 min later, more pulsing. Hmmm, sound like something getting warm and weakening?

I wasn't towing. In the past, without a tow attached, the turn signals had a "rapid cadence". This would changed to a more "normal cadence" when a tow was plugged in (increase in resistance?). It did seem the turn signals cadence was acting as if the tow were attached. Don't know if that adds to the mystery.

All the coach exterior lights have been converted to LED.
Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399

Re: Headlights randomly flashing off-on-off-etc.

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Alan & Gerri Ortiz –
Is there a headlamp relay? Where? Any ideas where to start with the old multimeter when I get home this weekend? Possible causes?

FWIW There is a headlight circuit breaker, that sounds like it needs to be replaced.  Running solely from the battery is lower voltage than running from the engine driven alternator.  Lower voltage, lower current.

The headlight circuit breaker is a DOT thing.

Art
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Headlights randomly flashing off-on-off-etc.

Reply #8 –
I will start by reviewing my automotive wiring diagrams I got from Triana several years ago.
Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399