Parking Lights Not Working (Other Lights Fine)

Nixlimited · 05-10-2014, 03:39 PM

Here are the relevant manual sections (assuming 2012 is basically the same):

Overview:

High Level:

BCM Location:

Relay Control (Tail Lamp Relay seems to be the relevant one):

Fuses (looks like 52 and 53 are relevant - I checked those and they are good):

Wiring:

SouthArk370Z · 05-10-2014, 04:04 PM

If you have DRL, check fuse 59. If you don't have DRL, check fuse 52. 10A and in IPDM. If the fuse checks good (use a meter), check the Tail Lamp Relay (non-DRL) or the Daytime Running Light Relay.

Nixlimited · 05-10-2014, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

If you have DRL, check fuse 59. If you don't have DRL, check fuse 52. 10A and in IPDM. If the fuse checks good (use a meter), check the Tail Lamp Relay (non-DRL) or the Daytime Running Light Relay.

Yeah. I definitely do not have DRL, but I think the car may be wired for it as there is a relay for it. Are the fuses numbered? I don't remember seeing that. Haven't found a reference in the service manual to the numbered fuse locations.

But this makes me think I do have DTRL wiring at least:

IPDM Wiring: (note connector E9)

IPDM Description (note wire 105):

My IPDM (note the light blue wire in the 105 spot and no wires in the 91 and 92 spots (which are parking lamps for non-DTRL cars):

Nixlimited · 05-10-2014, 05:24 PM

So I definitely have a daytime running light relay connector in the engine bay. And based on the IPDM wiring diagram, there are no wires where there should be for the parking lights if I did not have DTRL system (wiring at least). So I think I may need to look at the connection between the IPDM and DTRL relay as a potential culprit.

Nixlimited · 05-10-2014, 06:19 PM

OK, so update. I think everything between the IPDM and DTRL Relay is working. I tested the voltages and there is a solid 12.5V across the both sets of terminals when the parking lights are turned on, and < 1V across the one set when they are turned off.

First set of terminals in DTRL relay::

Second set of terminals in DTRL relay:

SouthArk370Z · 05-10-2014, 06:26 PM

Check terminal 3 of the DRL Relay. It should have power all the time (along with terminal 1). If not, check the fuse and wiring between fuse and relay. Terminal 5 of the DRL Relay should have power whenever the DRLs are (supposed to be) on. Use chassis or other ground when taking readings.

Terminal 2 of the DRL Relay will show battery voltage when the relay is de-energized and close to ground when the relay is on. If it is always at battery voltage, check the wire going to terminal 105 of the IPDM (the IPDM sinks that wire to ground to energize the relay).

Nixlimited · 05-10-2014, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Check terminal 3 of the DRL Relay. It should have power all the time (along with terminal 1). If not, check the fuse and wiring between fuse and relay. Terminal 5 of the DRL Relay should have power whenever the DRLs are (supposed to be) on. Use chassis or other ground when taking readings.

Terminal 2 of the DRL Relay will show battery voltage when the relay is de-energized and close to ground when the relay is on. If it is always at battery voltage, check the wire going to terminal 105 of the IPDM (the IPDM sinks that wire to ground to energize the relay).

Feeling stupid ... but I only see 4 terminals. Can you please give me numbering for them based on this picture? The middle is the DTRL relay based on the cap. I see two on the left (top and bottom) and two on the right (left and right).

SouthArk370Z · 05-10-2014, 06:46 PM

The pinout should be in the FSM. Usually right after the wiring diagrams.

If that doesn't help, there is often a diagram printed/molded on relays, showing which terminal does what (numbers won't always match those on the socket). You may have to pull the relay from the socket to see it.

If you're still stumped, you can use your VOM to ID the terminals on the relay. The coil will show some resistance (not a short and not an open). The contacts will change from open to short when the relay energizes.

Nixlimited · 05-10-2014, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

The pinout should be in the FSM. Usually right after the wiring diagrams.

If that doesn't help, there is often a diagram printed/molded on relays, showing which terminal does what (numbers won't always match those on the socket). You may have to pull the relay from the socket to see it.

If you're still stumped, you can use your VOM to ID the terminals on the relay. The coil will show some resistance (not a short and not an open). The contacts will change from open to short when the relay energizes.

Duh. I found it in the FSM. What confused me was there is no terminal 4. I am going to go check now and see how it reacts to different switch settings.

Nixlimited · 05-10-2014, 07:30 PM

OK, retested with correct numbering. Did not see any change between the terminals when turning parking lights on and off. Going to check continuity between IPDM and DTRL Relay next.

Here's what I got when testing (grounded to battery negative)

Light control stalk switched off:
1 - 12.5
2 - 0
3 - 12.5
5 - 0

Light control stalk switched to parking lights:
1 - 12.2
2 - 0
3 - 12.2
5 - 0

SouthArk370Z · 05-10-2014, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixlimited

... What confused me was there is no terminal 4. ...

I sometimes think the engineers do that on purpose just to mess with people.

SouthArk370Z · 05-10-2014, 07:59 PM

Terminals 1 and 3 should always have 12-15V (battery) on them. Either the fuse is blown or the wire is bad.

Or you could be looking at the connector wrong - the HS symbol in the upper left corner means the drawing shows the connector from the Harness Side (the side with the wires), not the side that plugs into something. Ie, you may have 1 and 2 reversed. Which, as I look at your readings, looks like it is very possible.

The fact that you never have power on terminal 5 tells me the relay is not working. Or you were testing with the relay unplugged.

Edit: If the fuse is blown or the wire is bad, you won't have power on either 1 or 3. If you reverse 1 and 2 in your charts, it makes more sense. Unless you took the readings with the relay out, it looks to me like you have a bad relay.

Nixlimited · 05-10-2014, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Or you could be looking at the connector wrong - the HS symbol in the upper left corner means the drawing shows the connector from the Harness Side (the side with the wires), not the side that plugs into something. Ie, you may have 1 and 2 reversed. Which, as I look at your readings, looks like it is very possible.

The fact that you never have power on terminal 5 tells me the relay is not working. Or you were testing with the relay unplugged.

Edit: If the fuse is blown or the wire is bad, you won't have power on either 1 or 3. If you reverse 1 and 2 in your charts, it makes more sense. Unless you took the readings with the relay out, it looks to me like you have a bad relay.

Yes, I had it backwards. I updated the post above with new values. Learning as I go here. I have just checked and there is continuity between the IPDM E19 105 and the DTRL Relay E2 (light blue wire). Thus, I think the culprit must be the relay. Wonder how hard that is to get ahold of???

Nixlimited · 05-10-2014, 11:08 PM

Anyone know a part number for that DTRL relay and/or whether it's a Nissan-specific product?

Nixlimited · 05-12-2014, 10:22 PM

Huge favor to ask of people. The car is now at the dealership, where they seem to be stumped too. Can anyone with a 2012 couple please post a picture of their driver's side under-hood relay box (towards the front of the car). I need to see what relays are installed. Specifically whether or not there is a DTRL relay (the middle one of the row of three). Mine has none currently. The dealership told me that based on my VIN, I shouldn't have a relay there, but I have seen some evidence to counter that. Thanks in advance!

05-10-2014, 03:39 PM	#16 (permalink)
Nixlimited A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,235 Drives: 15 GT-R / 11 Prius Rep Power: 26	Here are the relevant manual sections (assuming 2012 is basically the same): Overview: High Level: BCM Location: Relay Control (Tail Lamp Relay seems to be the relevant one): Fuses (looks like 52 and 53 are relevant - I checked those and they are good): Wiring: __________________ Car Sold! Pleasure being a part of the Z community. New ride: 2015 GT-R - 647 WHP / 641 WTQ (e85) & 543 WHP / 519 WTQ (91) Last edited by Nixlimited; 05-10-2014 at 04:25 PM.

05-10-2014, 04:04 PM	#17 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	If you have DRL, check fuse 59. If you don't have DRL, check fuse 52. 10A and in IPDM. If the fuse checks good (use a meter), check the Tail Lamp Relay (non-DRL) or the Daytime Running Light Relay. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

05-10-2014, 05:24 PM	#19 (permalink)
Nixlimited A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,235 Drives: 15 GT-R / 11 Prius Rep Power: 26	So I definitely have a daytime running light relay connector in the engine bay. And based on the IPDM wiring diagram, there are no wires where there should be for the parking lights if I did not have DTRL system (wiring at least). So I think I may need to look at the connection between the IPDM and DTRL relay as a potential culprit. __________________ Car Sold! Pleasure being a part of the Z community. New ride: 2015 GT-R - 647 WHP / 641 WTQ (e85) & 543 WHP / 519 WTQ (91) Last edited by Nixlimited; 05-12-2014 at 10:24 PM.

05-10-2014, 06:19 PM	#20 (permalink)
Nixlimited A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,235 Drives: 15 GT-R / 11 Prius Rep Power: 26	OK, so update. I think everything between the IPDM and DTRL Relay is working. I tested the voltages and there is a solid 12.5V across the both sets of terminals when the parking lights are turned on, and < 1V across the one set when they are turned off. First set of terminals in DTRL relay:: Second set of terminals in DTRL relay: __________________ Car Sold! Pleasure being a part of the Z community. New ride: 2015 GT-R - 647 WHP / 641 WTQ (e85) & 543 WHP / 519 WTQ (91) Last edited by Nixlimited; 05-10-2014 at 06:21 PM.

05-10-2014, 06:26 PM	#21 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Check terminal 3 of the DRL Relay. It should have power all the time (along with terminal 1). If not, check the fuse and wiring between fuse and relay. Terminal 5 of the DRL Relay should have power whenever the DRLs are (supposed to be) on. Use chassis or other ground when taking readings. Terminal 2 of the DRL Relay will show battery voltage when the relay is de-energized and close to ground when the relay is on. If it is always at battery voltage, check the wire going to terminal 105 of the IPDM (the IPDM sinks that wire to ground to energize the relay). __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

05-10-2014, 06:46 PM	#23 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	The pinout should be in the FSM. Usually right after the wiring diagrams. If that doesn't help, there is often a diagram printed/molded on relays, showing which terminal does what (numbers won't always match those on the socket). You may have to pull the relay from the socket to see it. If you're still stumped, you can use your VOM to ID the terminals on the relay. The coil will show some resistance (not a short and not an open). The contacts will change from open to short when the relay energizes. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

05-10-2014, 07:30 PM	#25 (permalink)
Nixlimited A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,235 Drives: 15 GT-R / 11 Prius Rep Power: 26	OK, retested with correct numbering. Did not see any change between the terminals when turning parking lights on and off. Going to check continuity between IPDM and DTRL Relay next. Here's what I got when testing (grounded to battery negative) Light control stalk switched off: 1 - 12.5 2 - 0 3 - 12.5 5 - 0 Light control stalk switched to parking lights: 1 - 12.2 2 - 0 3 - 12.2 5 - 0 __________________ Car Sold! Pleasure being a part of the Z community. New ride: 2015 GT-R - 647 WHP / 641 WTQ (e85) & 543 WHP / 519 WTQ (91) Last edited by Nixlimited; 05-10-2014 at 08:16 PM.

05-10-2014, 07:59 PM	#27 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Terminals 1 and 3 should always have 12-15V (battery) on them. Either the fuse is blown or the wire is bad. Or you could be looking at the connector wrong - the HS symbol in the upper left corner means the drawing shows the connector from the Harness Side (the side with the wires), not the side that plugs into something. Ie, you may have 1 and 2 reversed. Which, as I look at your readings, looks like it is very possible. The fact that you never have power on terminal 5 tells me the relay is not working. Or you were testing with the relay unplugged. Edit: If the fuse is blown or the wire is bad, you won't have power on either 1 or 3. If you reverse 1 and 2 in your charts, it makes more sense. Unless you took the readings with the relay out, it looks to me like you have a bad relay. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma Last edited by SouthArk370Z; 05-10-2014 at 08:08 PM.

05-10-2014, 11:08 PM	#29 (permalink)
Nixlimited A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,235 Drives: 15 GT-R / 11 Prius Rep Power: 26	Anyone know a part number for that DTRL relay and/or whether it's a Nissan-specific product? __________________ Car Sold! Pleasure being a part of the Z community. New ride: 2015 GT-R - 647 WHP / 641 WTQ (e85) & 543 WHP / 519 WTQ (91)

05-12-2014, 10:22 PM	#30 (permalink)
Nixlimited A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,235 Drives: 15 GT-R / 11 Prius Rep Power: 26	Huge favor to ask of people. The car is now at the dealership, where they seem to be stumped too. Can anyone with a 2012 couple please post a picture of their driver's side under-hood relay box (towards the front of the car). I need to see what relays are installed. Specifically whether or not there is a DTRL relay (the middle one of the row of three). Mine has none currently. The dealership told me that based on my VIN, I shouldn't have a relay there, but I have seen some evidence to counter that. Thanks in advance! __________________ Car Sold! Pleasure being a part of the Z community. New ride: 2015 GT-R - 647 WHP / 641 WTQ (e85) & 543 WHP / 519 WTQ (91)

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