L45 Headlights Won't Turn On

[Crestwater]

Hi All!!

My headlights on my L45 won't come on. When I flip the switch on the steering column the dash indicator light turns on as if to say they should be on. I pulled off a headlight and confirmed with a voltage meter that I don't have power (12v) running to the lights themselves. I then went to the fuse box and swapped my back work light fuse (30A) with the headlight fuse (30A). I confirmed that the headlights still did not work but the back work lights did. I then pulled both 30A fuses and using a voltage meter confirmed I had 12v on the back work lights but didn't have any voltage on the front headlights (at the fuse).

I further tested the headlight dash indicator to make sure the flashers worked which they did.

I can't seem to find a diagram that shows how power goes from the battery to the fuse box for the headlights. I suspect that is my problem but wanted to see if anyone else has had something similar happen to them.

Thanks for all the great info on this site!

 

[85Hokie]

check the switch that cut on the headlights. It could be the problem.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Most likely the dash switch. Contacts shot.

 

[Dave_eng]

With you saying the lighting fuse is a 30 amp I would be checking out relays.

The parts illustrations shows three identical relays on the back side of the dash.

If you find the headlight one, swap it with one of the other identical relays.

Dave

 

[Crestwater]

I took the cover off so I could get to the wiring harness for the light switch on the steering wheel. I was able to verify 12v on two of the wires (same white wire with red strip) with the key switches on. There were two wires that didn’t have power which I assume sends the power to the fuse box. Fuse box then goes to the lights.

I think the suggestion that the light switch is bad is likely my cause. I’m going to look around the forum and see if I can find some comments on how to get the switch off. It looks like the steering column goes right through the switch and it isn’t clear how to get it off. Maybe it will be better once I get the new one and can see what has to come off.

Thanks for the thoughts. It’s much appreciated.

 

[85Hokie]

this the switch?

 

[Crestwater]

It is the combo switch. It twists once for headlights and twice for “brights”. It’s just below the steering wheel.

This is the part number, there isn't much on it or any real pictures. T1270-32073

 

[Crestwater]

So I got into the wiring harness at the switch. I jumpered the 12v to each of the other pins except for the ground. I was able to make the turn signals come on with this approach but not the head lights. I could hear something clicking but nothing was coming on. Is there a relay or something in the headlight circuit?

 

[Dave_eng]

So I got into the wiring harness at the switch. I jumpered the 12v to each of the other pins except for the ground. I was able to make the turn signals come on with this approach but not the head lights. I could hear something clicking but nothing was coming on. Is there a relay or something in the headlight circuit?

Re read post #3

Dave

 

[Crestwater]

Quick Update

I went into the Kubota dealer to get the wiring diagram for the main harness along with the headlight harness. There appears to be a combo switch (located on the steering column), which sends a signal to dash indicator/switch (comment about re-reading post #3). The indicator/switch sends a signal to a relay which then sends a signal to the headlight. The relay is most likely bad. There are three of them on the tractor that are identical so I’m going to try and find them so I can swap the relays to see if the problem is correct. If it is, then it’s a relay and if it isn’t then it is likely the dash switch.