What up my electircal fans! I am having an issue with my headlight motors on my 86. The lights work, (park, low and High beam) but my motors are no speaking to me. I have thought it was the relays on each fender. But in doing more electronic research, I have discovered there is an "isolation relay" under the dash by the steering column somewhere. I am planning on replacing the motors, and all three relays, if the third exists. Can u please help me find the "isolator relay".. What color is it? Shape? How big? Does it even exist? Anything would be very much appreciated!!

 

The wiring diagram from A-Zone shows the isolation relay in the circuit, but no indication of location. Before you throw all those parts at your problem, do yourself a favor & do some troubleshooting first. Make sure you got power at relays - it appears each relay is fed by a fusible link. Locate your isolation relay and check for power in and out of the device. Check the A-Zone diagram and you should be able to narrow down which part is giving you trouble. If I had an '86 manual I'd scan the troubleshooting tree. Maybe someone else can jump in and get you a vehicle specific diagram.
Put some time in the detective work, it will pay off when another problem crops up.
Good Luck,
Corky

 

I asked if someone knew where the isolation relay was, not if it was the problem.. I appreciate ur input, but lets try to read things a little closer and understand what I am saying.. I need to know where it is. My wanting to replace all other relays and motors is not the issue, if you know where the relay is, please let me know, if not please state that and then move on. Thanks

 

10-4
Good Luck,
Corky

 

On my '86. the isolation relay is next to the actuation relay on the fender. can't remember which side the isolation relay is on ....
they both look identical with the exception of the part #'s

BTW, for someone asking for help you come across kinda ... bitchy

" if not please state that and then move on. Thanks "


Made me think about just posting " NOT " and moving on.

 

Ditto... that was slightly arrogant.

I just removed the entire wiring harness for the headlights of an 86...and replaced everything with an 87 (newer style with control module). I dont remember any relays being inside. Pretty sure they are all outside. The one place that sticks out in my head...is up near the bulkhead connector. There should be a relay bolted to the fender up there. Check that. I also dont remember it being difficult to trace the headlight harness to see where all the circuits were either...so worse comes to worse...just start tracing.

If you replace some parts, and you still dont get anything..follow Corky's advice...because it was good advice.

J.

 

I dont remember if its the same on an '86, but on my old '85, the 3rd relay was on the passenger side radiator support. I want to say it was in the same location on this '86 parts car i had, but that was nearly 5 years ago so my memory is kinda fuzzy.

Matto

 

Yeah I had a relay over in that area in my 86 as well... hmm...now that I think about it... I think that relay back by the firewall was the fog light relay? Then in 87 that relay was moved up to the front of the fender..???

Man I cant remember now. Either way...its in one of those couple places. haha

J.

 

Yea, the fog light relay was up on the fire wall for both 85 and 86. It was next to the fuel pump relay.

 

Thanks for all the input folks, I appreciate the responses and now I can eliminate the idea that there was an relay under the steering column for some odd reason.. As for Corky.. if you are out there.. I apologize for being rude towards you. I think I might have taken anger from the car and the new engine gremlins out on you, which was inappropriate on my behalf. I hope you read this and can accept my apology. Thank you for your help also.

 

No problem - no apology needed. Frustration is a prerequisite to owning a 3rd gen! We are all here to help & interested in getting problems solved.
Corky