Repair Topics / Headlights-1 / Headlights-2

• Why is one headlight dim?
• Why do both headlight go out?
• No taillights or taillight light bulb out
• How to use a test light
• How does the electrical system work?
• Why is the low tire pressure indicator light on?
• One or all brake lights not working

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Answer: It appears that you probably have a faulty headlight switch or possibly a poor ground connection somewhere.

Question: 2003 Ford Focus mileage: 62,000. I just read some of your answers to the questions put to you in regards to Fords having a headlight flickering problem after at least 20 minutes or more of driving. I have indeed replaced the high beam low beam turn signal switch assembly and the head light switch and guess what? The problem is still there. If I turn the lights off and wait at least 5 minutes, it will subside for at least 30 minutes and then it's right back to the same problem again. I've also checked and found that there is a resistor wire located in the system, Could this be the problem? I have found no relays or circuit breakers in this system, so I can guess that this is not a solution to a repair.

Answer: Electrical problems are difficult to troubleshoot. We would first look at connector's on the wiring loam for the headlights and any connectors that go through the firewall to the inside of the car.

Question: 2004 Ford Ranger mileage: 45,000. My lights didn't turn on when I turned them on. I thought it might be my fuses. I replaced them, but that wasn't it. I was going to drive to work anyway so while I started to drive I flicked the bright light handle and it turned my regular lights on. So, for the next few days every time I turned on my lights I had to flash the bright handle to get them to come on. Now I do it and the brightest come on but, when I let the handle go the regular lights are not coming on. I have been driving while holding in the bright handle, which gives me bright lights, but I have no regular lights anymore. What is causing this?

Answer: Sounds like your high-low headlight switch is faulty.

Question: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette mileage: 80,000. I have constantly had troubles with the driver's side headlight of my car. It recesses just fine, but after it has recessed fully, a very loud noise starts and lasts for about 15 seconds. It sounds like it might be a motor noise. I have taken it into the dealer to be repaired once and they said it was the actuator, I believe. I have also heard from others that have chevy's with recessing headlights that they have had similar troubles. Have you heard of this before, and do you know if it can be fixed by someone who isn't a mechanic? If this is a problem with the car that is going to keep occurring, I would like to fix it myself instead of paying the dealer $450 - $600 every time to fix it.

Answer: There is a gear in the headlight motor for the headlight doors that strips out which would cause the problem you described. There may be a kit available that will have the replaced gear in it. Check with your local Pontiac dealer.

Question: 2003 Toyota Camry mileage: 33,500.  High beam does not work.  All headlights originally fine, then high beams started flickering going over bumps, and finally quit entirely when pulling into driveway (moderate bump).  Low beam and flash work (flash works both with headlights on and off, as it should).  All wires, relays, fuses connectors and 2 separate grounding connections checked with continuity checker.  Headlight switch and dimmer switch also TEST good with continuity checker.  Dealer "recommends changing dimmer switch", but has not examined car, and seems reluctant to take on this problem.  Had I not already tested the dimmer switch with a volt meter.  Recommendations?

Answer:   Test all the switches and circuits under load, (headlights on) we would recommend doing this to pinpoint your problem. It sound like your headlight combination switch is bad.

Question: 2002 Nissan Frontier mileage: 30,000.  I just bought this truck as a project, and I have every thing working great with the exception of the driver's headlight.  It works on high, but not on low.  I've replaced the bulb and fuses with a known good ones.  It has 12 vdc while unplugged, but with a load, nothing.  Any Ideas?  Any help would be appreciated.

Answer: With an electrical load on the headlight system, start checking the wiring with a 12-volt test light.  Trace the wiring from the headlight until you find the 12-volt source .  There is good possibility your headlight switch is shorted.

Question: 2002 Pontiac Grand Am  mileage: 77,700.   Can your headlamps burn out at the same time and will the parking lights and high beams continue to work?

Answer:   Yes, headlamps can burn out at close to the same time. But your running lights would still work.

Question: 2003 Ford Explorer mileage: 40,000.  The last time it was used the headlights, radio, dome light, and instrument panel lights worked.  The next time she used it, she had no headlights, radio, dome lights or instrument panel lights.  I have checked all the fuses at the fuse box and under the hood.  They are ok.   If I pull back on the hi-low dimmer switch, the headlights will come on as long as I hold it back.  If I pull out the headlight switch, they do not come on.  Could this be a bad ground wire?  If it is, where do I look for it?  Is there a fuse I have not found somewhere else?

Answer:   It sounds like you have a defective headlight switch.

Question: 2002 Jeep Cherokee mileage: 80,000.  Started my jeep one evening and turned the headlights on. The lights were set to high beams and worked fine.  When I pulled back on the turn signal to change to low beams the lights went out.  High beams worked fine.  Low beams do not work on either headlight.  Everything else electrical seems to be working fine.  High beams work, low beams do not.  Thoughts?

Answer:  You probably have a bad high low beam switch.  Replacing it should fix your problem.

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Repair Topics / Headlights-1 / Headlights-2