SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)

One headlight intermittently shuts off while driving...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-28-09, 07:58 AM
  #1  
PhilipMSPT
Cycle Savant
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
PhilipMSPT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: In rehab...
Posts: 21,527
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default One headlight intermittently shuts off while driving...

So, my driver's side headlight (low beam) is acting up. The passenger side is not a problem.

Just started about two weeks ago. While driving, the left headlight can suddenly shut off, sometimes more than once during one trip (it happened twice during a 30 minute commute this morning). I flick the **** to turn it off and on, and it reignites.

I have aftermarket HID bulbs, but no problems in the past nine months. Checked the headlight housing itself; seems like nothing is loose.

Diagnosis?





I feel like I'm winking or something...

Old 12-28-09, 08:54 AM
  #2  
farkas
Lead Lap
iTrader: (5)
 
farkas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I feel like I'm winking or something... LOL

My son had the same problem in his SC300 with aftermarkets and it turned out to be a bad ground on that side. Redo them or retighten them and you should be good!
Old 12-28-09, 09:10 AM
  #3  
Yes
Moderator
 
Yes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NM
Posts: 2,089
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by farkas
2006 GS430 Red/Cashmere 1992 SC300/1jz 5-Speed
2004 SC430 Silver/Ecru 2007 Audi A4 Avant
1980 Corolla 2Dr 4AG Silvertop 2008 Mazdaspeed3
2002 VW GTI/337 Silver 2002 Toy Highlander
2000 F250 SD TurboDiesel 2000 MR2 Spyder
holy crap. your house must look like a used car lot
Old 12-28-09, 09:15 AM
  #4  
farkas
Lead Lap
iTrader: (5)
 
farkas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Liquid SC
holy crap. your house must look like a used car lot
All Toys and they are all garaged when they are not being driven. It is the Joy of 5 acres and a Big A**ed Garage.... Santa brought me a 2 Pole Lift for Xmas this year too!
Old 12-28-09, 09:30 AM
  #5  
Yes
Moderator
 
Yes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NM
Posts: 2,089
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

that's cool. i pictured a suburban home with 2 in the garage, 4 in the driveway, 2 on the street and 2 on the lawn.
Old 12-28-09, 09:32 AM
  #6  
farkas
Lead Lap
iTrader: (5)
 
farkas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

That would be one well equipted suburban home!

Last edited by farkas; 12-28-09 at 09:36 AM.
Old 12-28-09, 10:35 AM
  #7  
PhilipMSPT
Cycle Savant
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
PhilipMSPT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: In rehab...
Posts: 21,527
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by farkas
I feel like I'm winking or something... LOL

My son had the same problem in his SC300 with aftermarkets and it turned out to be a bad ground on that side. Redo them or retighten them and you should be good!
But the HID ballast/housing is stock.

Only the bulb is aftermarket.




Is there still a place to tighten other than the bulb?
Old 12-28-09, 11:18 AM
  #8  
farkas
Lead Lap
iTrader: (5)
 
farkas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I would still look at the grounds of the ballast.. If it looses connection, it will go out until it is started again.
Old 12-28-09, 11:37 AM
  #9  
farkas
Lead Lap
iTrader: (5)
 
farkas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I would still look at the grounds of the ballast.. If it looses connection, it will go out until it is started again.


Ooops did I studder?

Last edited by farkas; 12-28-09 at 02:05 PM.
Old 12-28-09, 01:22 PM
  #10  
playa3uhh
Lexus Test Driver
 
playa3uhh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 909
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Is there a picture to illustrate the bad ground?
Old 12-28-09, 02:04 PM
  #11  
farkas
Lead Lap
iTrader: (5)
 
farkas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by playa3uhh
Is there a picture to illustrate the bad ground?
No Picture for this.... It is a loose wire that may be connected somewhere in the area of the lights ballast Box if not they way the box is mounted on the car itself..It is hard to tell as I am not that familiar with its location, just the basics of how they work.
Old 12-28-09, 02:50 PM
  #12  
Yes
Moderator
 
Yes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NM
Posts: 2,089
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by farkas
That would be one well equipted suburban home!
that would be a well equipped company motor pool. never mind the suburban home
Old 12-28-09, 06:32 PM
  #13  
mrblister
Pole Position
 
mrblister's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pa
Posts: 2,624
Received 64 Likes on 56 Posts
Default

Shucks I have a 10 car garage with an elevator lift. Three gas pumps and an oil anlube station I got it for xmas when I was 10. Not much has changed since then I still have the toy and On ly 2 cars
LOL
Old 01-01-10, 08:31 PM
  #14  
LexFather
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Phil see if there is a TSB for this...some 3GS owners have this issue as well and there is a TSB for it.
Old 01-01-10, 09:23 PM
  #15  
PhilipMSPT
Cycle Savant
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
PhilipMSPT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: In rehab...
Posts: 21,527
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Phil see if there is a TSB for this...some 3GS owners have this issue as well and there is a TSB for it.
Got it fixed.

I traded her in...


Quick Reply: One headlight intermittently shuts off while driving...



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:37 AM.