Lights Out
11-18-15 | 10:38 AM
#16
I would like to know more about how a tail lamp going out can cause problems with the headlights. Thought they were not related. Since my last post, I took the car in to get the headlamp replaced and they found that the socket was slightly burrned out. He put it back together and the headlight came on. A short time later we noticed an electrical burning smell. So he detached the socket and it was by that time completely fried. Is there a simple way to test the wires that lead to the socket? I can either put on a new socket and see if it burns out again, in which case I will know I have a short somewhere (and will have wasted the cost of that OEM part), or I can test before putting on a new socket. If the shop has to track down an electrical issue, that can get expensive very quickly. Any suggestions for what I can try myself would be great.
12-07-15 | 08:27 AM
#17
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: CA
9003 type bulb. The "tuner" bulbs have higher wattage specs and those are to be avoided. Walmart usually has the standard or long life bulbs available.
http://www.philipsautolighting.com/ajax_select.php
http://www.philipsautolighting.com/ajax_select.php
12-10-15 | 06:31 AM
#18
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 303
Likes: 29
From: TX
It is the socket
12-18-15 | 12:16 AM
#19
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: CA
Thought I would update everyone. Took it to another shop that figured out the issue fairly quickly. It had nothing to do with the type of headlamp bulb. The problem was an area of the wire harness that had rusted out and was shorting out. I asked where exactly and they said in an area near the back of the harness that connects to another (larger?) harness. Not sure if that makes sense. This is the harness in the front, not the harness in the trunk (which we also talked about in this thread). The tail lights are on and working as well. Relief.
12-20-15 | 11:06 AM
#20
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: arizona
Use a digital volt meter and start off by taking the bulb out, and isolating the circuit. Test your ground wire to the light bulb and post your results. It sounds like you possibly have high resistance in the circuit.
The tailight, I would check like previously stated. The trunk wires. They will break over time. You can remove the bulb, put a DVM to the harness side that plugs into the bulb and check your readings in 12v dc and swing the trunk up and down to see if you possibly have a break in the wire. The light sockets are easy to inspect and check . Just pull them out and see if they look burnt, The terminals on the socket itself make contact with the bulb, and also with the tail light. Make sure the small metal tabs around the edges of the light socket are slightly bent upward where they will make a nice tight fit in the socket hole. If any of them look burnt or suspect, I would simply start by swapping the sockets from side to side and see if the symptom follows to the other side of the car, it can easily eliminate any possible problems you might be suspecting in the wiring circuit itself.
The tailight, I would check like previously stated. The trunk wires. They will break over time. You can remove the bulb, put a DVM to the harness side that plugs into the bulb and check your readings in 12v dc and swing the trunk up and down to see if you possibly have a break in the wire. The light sockets are easy to inspect and check . Just pull them out and see if they look burnt, The terminals on the socket itself make contact with the bulb, and also with the tail light. Make sure the small metal tabs around the edges of the light socket are slightly bent upward where they will make a nice tight fit in the socket hole. If any of them look burnt or suspect, I would simply start by swapping the sockets from side to side and see if the symptom follows to the other side of the car, it can easily eliminate any possible problems you might be suspecting in the wiring circuit itself.
12-20-15 | 01:42 PM
#21
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: CA
Use a digital volt meter and start off by taking the bulb out, and isolating the circuit. Test your ground wire to the light bulb and post your results. It sounds like you possibly have high resistance in the circuit.
The tailight, I would check like previously stated. The trunk wires. They will break over time. You can remove the bulb, put a DVM to the harness side that plugs into the bulb and check your readings in 12v dc and swing the trunk up and down to see if you possibly have a break in the wire. The light sockets are easy to inspect and check . Just pull them out and see if they look burnt, The terminals on the socket itself make contact with the bulb, and also with the tail light. Make sure the small metal tabs around the edges of the light socket are slightly bent upward where they will make a nice tight fit in the socket hole. If any of them look burnt or suspect, I would simply start by swapping the sockets from side to side and see if the symptom follows to the other side of the car, it can easily eliminate any possible problems you might be suspecting in the wiring circuit itself.
The tailight, I would check like previously stated. The trunk wires. They will break over time. You can remove the bulb, put a DVM to the harness side that plugs into the bulb and check your readings in 12v dc and swing the trunk up and down to see if you possibly have a break in the wire. The light sockets are easy to inspect and check . Just pull them out and see if they look burnt, The terminals on the socket itself make contact with the bulb, and also with the tail light. Make sure the small metal tabs around the edges of the light socket are slightly bent upward where they will make a nice tight fit in the socket hole. If any of them look burnt or suspect, I would simply start by swapping the sockets from side to side and see if the symptom follows to the other side of the car, it can easily eliminate any possible problems you might be suspecting in the wiring circuit itself.
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