Headlight Cuts Out When Turing Car On Only
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Headlight Cuts Out When Turing Car On Only
Not really sure what to do with this... I fear it might be a bad computer controller somewhere?? Lights are set to "auto" (so they turn on automatically when it gets dark). I turn the car on and both headlights turn on as expected. However, after driving for about 2 minutes the driver headlight cuts off (and reverts back to the daytime light). The passenger headlight stays on. If I turn the **** from "auto" to "off" and then turn everything back on again... then both lights turn on and both lights remain on for the duration of the drive. The driver light cutting out ONLY happens after the light turns on automatically for the first time.
I have tried replacing the headlight assembly but that didn't fix the issue. I also thought it might be a fuse but then why would the light stay on just fine when manually turned on and only cuts out when it turns on automatically (and only the first time it turns on).
I have tried replacing the headlight assembly but that didn't fix the issue. I also thought it might be a fuse but then why would the light stay on just fine when manually turned on and only cuts out when it turns on automatically (and only the first time it turns on).
It's either gonna be a dying bulb or a dying ballast. Swap the driver and passenger bulbs and see what happens.
If the drivers side still turns off, its the ballast.
If the passenger light starts to turn off and the drivers side stays on instead, its the bulb.
If the bulbs both are working fine.... YAY
If the drivers side still turns off, its the ballast.
If the passenger light starts to turn off and the drivers side stays on instead, its the bulb.
If the bulbs both are working fine.... YAY
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
If I had the entire headlight assembly replaced wouldn't that, in effect, replace the bulb and ballast? Also, why would it only cut out the first time but then continue to work indefinitely if I manually turn it off then back on?
I'll give what you suggest a try and revert back. Thanks!!
I'll give what you suggest a try and revert back. Thanks!!
It seems like it might be something to do with being in "Auto" since a dying bulb or ballast wouldn't result in your lowbeams cutting out and your daylights coming on. If it was a dying bulb or ballast, your lowbeams would be off, but your high beams won't come on.
Maybe a switch/electronic issue?
Maybe a switch/electronic issue?
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
It seems like it might be something to do with being in "Auto" since a dying bulb or ballast wouldn't result in your lowbeams cutting out and your daylights coming on. If it was a dying bulb or ballast, your lowbeams would be off, but your high beams won't come on.
Maybe a switch/electronic issue?
Maybe a switch/electronic issue?
Well, you said in your original post that when your driver headlight cuts out, your daytime lights come on? The daytime lights are the high beams, except at 50% brightness, and they shouldn't be on when you turn on your low beams. I don't think that's a bulb/ballast issue since you said that after you switch from "Auto" to "On," it works fine again. Might have to bring it in to a dealer to look at the switches or just not use the "Auto" option.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Ok, I did some more testing last night. Haven't had a chance to swap the bulbs but did get to some other tests...
1. Car off. Light set to "on". Turn on car. Low beams come on. Drive around for a while... low beams stay on entire time.
2. Car off. Light set to "auto". Turn on car. Low beams come on. Drive around... after a minute or so the low beam cuts out and the DRL (high beam bulb) comes on. Set switch to "on"... low beam stays off and DRL stays on. Set switch to "off" then back to "auto"... low beam comes back on and stays on.
3. Same scenario as #2 except this time I go to "on" in the last step rather than "auto"... same result (low beams comes back on and stays on). My guess is that test #2 is actually registering the "on" setting because you have to go through "on" to get to "auto".
I agree that this is likely something electrical. I'll test the bulb switch this weekend and will take it to a dealer if that doesn't work.
1. Car off. Light set to "on". Turn on car. Low beams come on. Drive around for a while... low beams stay on entire time.
2. Car off. Light set to "auto". Turn on car. Low beams come on. Drive around... after a minute or so the low beam cuts out and the DRL (high beam bulb) comes on. Set switch to "on"... low beam stays off and DRL stays on. Set switch to "off" then back to "auto"... low beam comes back on and stays on.
3. Same scenario as #2 except this time I go to "on" in the last step rather than "auto"... same result (low beams comes back on and stays on). My guess is that test #2 is actually registering the "on" setting because you have to go through "on" to get to "auto".
I agree that this is likely something electrical. I'll test the bulb switch this weekend and will take it to a dealer if that doesn't work.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
lakersfan0
SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)
0
Jun 10, 2009 03:33 AM
