The low beam suddenly went out. The high beams work fine?

Tiny
ANONYMOUS
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
  • 130,000 MILES
The low beam suddenly went out. The high beams work fine. I checked the bulbs and fuses. They are ok. Could the problem be the relay? I have not checked the switch. I do not know how to get into it.
Tuesday, January 1st, 2013 AT 2:29 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
If both low beam bulbs and fuses have been checked and found to be in working order, the next possible culprit could indeed be the relay. The relay controls the electrical current that flows to the headlights, including the low beam. A malfunctioning relay can cause the low beams to fail while the high beams continue to work.

To confirm if the relay is the problem, you can try swapping it with a similar relay in the fuse box, such as one for the high beams or another electrical component with the same specifications. If the low beams start working after the swap, then the relay is likely faulty and should be replaced.

As for accessing the switch, it depends on the make and model of your vehicle. In many cases, the headlight switch is located on the steering column or dashboard. You may need to remove some trim panels or covers to gain access to the switch assembly. Consult your vehicle's manual or search for specific instructions online for your particular make and model. If you're not comfortable with accessing the switch yourself, it's recommended to consult a professional mechanic or an automotive electrician to assist you with the diagnosis and repair.
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Tuesday, January 1st, 2013 AT 2:35 AM
Tiny
JAVIERMARTINEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hello, never got the end result of this issue. I'm having the same issues on the same vehical. I do have a multi meter and I have tested passenger receiving 12v. Driver side nothing. High beam, yellow light and fog light all work. Driver side is dead. Fuses are all good. I even purchased a new relay headlight switch and had no change. Please help
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Tuesday, January 15th, 2013 AT 7:34 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
So just the low beam driver side is inop?
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Wednesday, January 16th, 2013 AT 1:42 AM
Tiny
CRAZYFROGZ
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have the same issue, but mine it the passenger side, up on replacing the bulb after receiving the car, I noticed someone packed a bunch of grease in it, So not I am assuming that the connector can possible be bad, itself, so if u could send me some of the diagrams or videos to help change the connector. I would appreciate it.
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Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,895 POSTS
It could be a bad fuse, relay or the bad body ECU. here is a guide to help you test for power so you can see where it loses it at, and the headlight wiring diagrams in the images below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.

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Thursday, June 1st, 2023 AT 1:51 PM

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