disappearing headlight trick

[Dreed]

well not exactly a disappearing headlight but the darn thing went out and its not the bulb. About three days prior to my left(when facing the front if it matters) headlight not working at all, my right bulb went out and I replaced it without a hitch. Then my left went out. Bought a new bulb, installed it, nothing....I checked fuses and the fuse isn't blown. Also my high beam still works on that unit, and everything else as well. Any suggestions considering I'm about an hour and a half away from the nearest dealership and I'd like to get this issue solved pronto! I guess it's some sort of short but thats just a guess.

Davis

 

[97discox2]

check connector plug on back of light, they sometimes get corroded, and will lead to a situation where the light is inoperable, or a dim light situation. Just get some contact cleaner, and spray away.
If you take it to the dealer you'll prpbably wind up with
a new head gasket, machined heads, new brakes and still one headlight....

 

[Dreed]

If you take it to the dealer you'll probably wind up with
a new head gasket, machined heads, new brakes and still one headlight....

hahah im sure that would be the case...

as far as the connector goes it seems to be fine as far as corrosion. I'll run some tests on it...

I know this isn't a major issue but I'd like to have my headlights working properly considering they are an essential part of driving at night hehe. Any more suggestions would be great!

Davis

 

[vwfye]

i smack mine with my hand and they come back on... or, i just undo and redo the connection with the bulb and that works too.

 

[PHARAOHDISCO]

My left was doing the same and whenever I pushed it, it would go back on again. The connector plug was bad. You will probably need to change it.

 

[justinhaaga]

My left was doing the same and whenever I pushed it, it would go back on again. The connector plug was bad. You will probably need to change it.

x2, you can get creative and take it apart and try to fix it.

 

[barefoot]

not trying to be smart ass here but you do know not to touch the bulbs with your bare hands....right?

 

[Dreed]

haha thanks guys for all the info, and barefoot, yes i do know that, and a lot of people will just touch the darn bulb without realizing it. I plugged the working headlight up to the left side connector to rule out whether it was the connector from the car or the connector on the headlight unit. The other headlight worked so it is something in the bad headlight unit, i.e. the connector. I tried to get into the headlight unit so i could test the connectors but its a pita. Any body actually taken the headlight unit apart, cause its giving me a run for the money?

Davis

 

[md irvin]

I had same problem with my 97 d1 i just cut the connector and spliced in a new one and it works fine