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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHHeadlight problem - maybe I'm crazy
Leading reported evidence
Test amperage
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Suggestion
If the voltage looks good (~14v after starting the car), head over to Autozone and get them to test the amperage...
Leading evidence: 'Test amperage' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Test amperage' (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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12 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
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Seeking help here....
Last week, I pulled out of the parking lot at work and the headlights did not come on. I recycled them off and then on and they worked. I thought it was a glitchy thing and ignored it.
Last night, same thing, only they did not come on after several recycles. I could not get the brights to engage by pushing the stalk forward -- no change.
The brights did engage when I held the stalk toward me, but it was impossible to turn, shift and hold the lights. I ended up pulling the headlight **** out - for the rally lights which was good enough to get home.
Once home, I cycled the lights after shutting down the car and they came on fully (of course).
I suggested to my family that I thought the headlight switch mechanism might be going bad but the reply was that it was probably "user error" -- that I must be so over-tired from work that I am incapable of engaging the lights in a car I have driven for 2 years. Seriously? It's insulting but at least it's a cheap fix.
This morning I thought that it might also be connected to my new after-market radio - could this be causing a battery drain that affects the headlights? That radio is new since Xmas, and I did have to change out a 5yo battery subsequently - new battery is 1 month old.
Thoughts are greatly appreciated. Drove the other car to work today -- miss my top down.
Both ballasts failed to fire, initiate, the arc...
Low battery voltage or full voltage not getting to ballast.
HID bulbs have a HIGH surge current requirement during initial firing of the arc.
Remove and re-insert the headlight fuse(s) to renew the electrical contact.
Ballasts crap out, but having both ballasts crap out simultaneously seems less likely. Headlight switch and ignition switch are also suspects IMO.
What's your voltage? If the voltage looks good (~14v after starting the car), head over to Autozone and get them to test the amperage...
This seems to be a pretty common problem, if i'm not mistaken it seems like one of the guys on here had said before he carries a SPARE one in his glove box (i'd say that's pretty common)! Lol!
Same, Same... the lights in my 99 just go out everyone now and then and I just shake the switch and presto, lights back on! Its on my list of things that annoy me but are not yet unsafe.
+996 on ignition switch. I had the same problem with headlights before my key got stuck in the ignition. Since they came on after shuting down the car and trying again my money is on ignition switch. Common problem in a 12+ year old car. Cheap and easy fix
Headlight or ignition switch. Both are common enough that if they've never been done, it would be wise to do them both. The parts aren't too expensive, and it's a relatively easy DIY.
