23 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHDim light on high beam
Reported or suspected cause
but as long as it keeps working
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
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Read evidence and context
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Reported cause · Original poster
I have no idea what the issue was but as long as it keeps working then all good!
Leading evidence: 'but as long as it keeps working' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'but as long as it keeps working' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check connector' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I then checked the connector on the tray in the headlight aperture and the grounds there seemed to be good aswell
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Checked the grounds again and everything seemed fine.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Okay so I got hold of a power probe tester and checked the grounds in the headlight back to the connector on the headlight and they all showed 0 ohms so seemed to be fine.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Okay so I fitted a new headlight switch and nothing changed besides a nicer working headlight switch
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Okay so I got hold of a power probe tester and checked the grounds in the headlight back to the connector on the headlight and they all showed 0 ohms so seemed to be fine.
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23 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Hi all
my drivers side headlight has recently been playing up. When I turn on the high beam the bulb emits light but it�s really dim. The side light bulb also goes dim and the fog light and indicator bulb emit a dim light too.
Swapped over the bulb for the high beam at it did the same thing
Found that lots of insulation had crumbled off from the wiring inside so I taped up what ever I could get to with electrical tape. But still having the issue
Does this sound like it�s the wiring harness inside the headlight or could it be something else?
Maybe I missed a couple of wires but it�s hard to get into from the back panel. I have the xenon headlight setup and the car is a 996.1. I tried to find on the forum on how to access all the wiring without taking the lens off but couldn�t find anything. Is this something that can be done with removing the lens as I would like to repair what I have
Appreciate the help!
Yes as mentioned in my first post the wiring insulation was all cracked and broken off. I taped up what I could get to but still have the issue. Have you repaired one without taking the lens off? Was hoping to repair what I have without having to split the headlight fully
I found that after searching on the forum as well. Will look into it if mine is not repairable
Can the xenon lights be repaired without removing the lens?
No real quality way around it...Replacing internal headlight harness, requires to separate the lens from the housing.
Not so bad doing this, just take your time and get some new butyl to seal it all back up good...
You likely have a bad ground. The high beam and the small lamps share the same ground pin in the connector at the back of the headlight assembly. The low beam has its own ground pin.
Check the tray that holds the headlight assembly first. One of my headlights had similar behavior and it was caused by the receiving plug in the back of the tray not seating properly with the connector in the headlight. The spot where the tray�s connector snaps into place was broken on mine so some of the pins didn�t make good contact. Easily fixed by replacing the tray. You can find used ones on eBay.
Had another look at it. Re done the electrical tape on all the wires so nothing has a chance of shorting in the back area. The wires for the fog lamp and indicator seems to be fine down to the end of the headlight so didnt touch those. Just wrapped the indicator bulb wire up to the plug as thats all external to the housing. Still no luck
also noticed that while the high beams are on and I turn the indicator on for the faulty side, the bulb does not flash. It starts flashing once the high beams are turned off. Another thing I noticed is when I turn on the front fog lights, both sides emit light but really dim (like a candle). I was expecting one side to be working fine but both sides are doing it.
I did take a look on the opposite side headlight and the wire insulation seems to be fine. Just cracks. There were two bare spots which I taped up. Again no luck
If I disconnect the fog light bulb then the high beam and side light do not work and I get a dim light from the indicator
Also if I turn on the fog lights with the faulty side fog light bulb disconnected, the opposite side works fine
Is there any where else I should be checking for issues?
The rotted insulation is not the problem, but does need attention.You have open ground. It could be the connector in the headlight assembly or the ground connection at the body which appears to be in the cabin on the left side under the dash or kick panel.
Can I check this using a multimeter with the headlight out of the car? Could I check continuity from each bulb plug back to the main plug on the side of the headlight assembly or would this not tell me anything?
You should not rule out your main headlamp switch. Most have deteriorated to the point of not working. A 25+ year old headlamp switch will have problems, mostly internal plastics broken.
Yes, use an Ohmmeter to check the continuity between the bulb socket contacts and the contacts in the connector that plugs into the socket in the car body. A good connection will measure 0 Ohms.
You also need to check the continuity between the socket contacts to ground on yhe car body.
Inspect the contacts for signs of corrosion or heating. Look at the socket also.
Okay so I got hold of a power probe tester and checked the grounds in the headlight back to the connector on the headlight and they all showed 0 ohms so seemed to be fine. I also used the power probe to power up each of the bulbs directly from the connector on the headlight and they all lit up properly. So I am assuming the headlight is fine
I then checked the connector on the tray in the headlight aperture and the grounds there seemed to be good aswell
So the next part I checked was the headlight switch. Removed it and sprayed some electronic contact cleaner into the turn **** area and also the contacts on the back. Re installed this but still have the same issues
I have ordered a new switch so I can check if it is more of an internal issue. Hoping this works as the headlight testing seemed to be fine
Does make me wonder if a faulty headlight switch would only show an issue on one headlight but not the other?
Appreciate everyone�s help!
Okay so I fitted a new headlight switch and nothing changed besides a nicer working headlight switch
Going back to testing the headlight out of the car. If I test each individual earth wire from each bulb plug to the socket on the headlight housing this should give me 0 ohms telling me everything is good, correct?
When I tested each bulb by sending power through the socket on headlight housing, they all lit up correctly without any issues.
when I tested the plug on the headlight tray on the car I had the probe attached to the car battery to power it up and then I attached the testing ground clip to the ground bolt inside the trunk behind the carpet on the drivers side. The ground connections all showed 0 ohms aswell. However, I will re test this
What next steps can I take to problem solve this issue?
Did you check the continuity from the ground wires in the headlight to the car body while the headlight was installed in the car? It seems like this is the only think you have not checked yet.
I have not done this so am not sure of the best method but removing the inner fender seems like the easiest option. This should provide access to the wiring at the plug. Before you do this, do what you can to inspect the connectors. Maybe the ground pin has lost its spring tension and is not contacting the other half of the connector.
It seems to be working now�.
Checked the grounds again and everything seemed fine. To try and pin point the issue I wanted to try the drivers headlight in the passenger side. I removed the plug in the tray to give me some extra length of free play and also removed the socket on the back of the headlight to give some for free cable length and hooked up the drivers headlight on the passenger side and what do you know, everything worked with no issues!
So I then plugged in the passenger headlight into the drivers side the same way and everything worked together perfectly with no issues. Fitted everything back correctly and all seems fine I be fine with no issues. I have no idea what the issue was but as long as it keeps working then all good!
Thanks all for the help along the way
Yea strangely the tray is intact and the locking mechanisms are also good. I just sprayed some wd40 on them to help with sliding them down and back up to lock. Maybe this helped with repositioning on the problem side. Hopefully all sorted now!
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