high beams headache

June 15, 2010 5:08 PM

My friend's car (a 2001 nissan altima) today has a problem. The high beams will not turn off. All regular lights work, but whether the car is on or off, the high beams are on. Any suggestions?
posted by glaucon to Travel & Transportation (4 answers total)

Best answer: There's probably a separate fuse for the high-beams. You can pull it temporarily, until you get the actual problem fixed, to save your battery.

As to the actual problem, it is probably a relay somewhere under the hood that is stuck. You might be able to unstick it with some gentle tapping, or you might need to replace it. There has got to be an Altima owner's forum out there that will have details of where exactly the relay is, or you can check a service manual at an auto parts store.
posted by kindall at 5:14 PM on June 15, 2010

Maybe the turn signal controller/high beam switch is stuck? Try pushing it around.
posted by lee at 5:31 PM on June 15, 2010

The turn signal/multifunction switch that includes the "flash to pass" high beam feature is a really common point of failure on any car. I'd pull the fuse over night to make sure that you don't kill the battery or let all of the smoke out of the wires.
posted by Jon-o at 5:35 PM on June 15, 2010 [1 favorite]

kindall has it. stuck relay is the most likely cause, and pulling the fuse will work as a temporary fix. relays are easy to replace and should cost less than $15 for the part.
posted by bilgepump at 7:28 PM on June 15, 2010