One headlight out

[juddtaylor]

I'm scratching my head here. I had the driver side light (low beam) go out in my 99' C2 (X51 :eek:), and it's not the bulb. I verified this in several ways, including hooking the low beam to the hi-beam connector (which worked fine).

I replaced the bulbs on both sides, but the old ones look good. The wires inside the lamp housing are falling apart, however. I replaced the wire from the connector to the terminal for the low beam light, and now I get a good beep on it, but it still doesn't work.

The connector looks fine on both the housing and the fender. I looked at the voltages from the fender connector, and they are identical on both sides with the headlight switch on.

I'm at a loss here. I might have to bring this into the dealership. I'm hardcore DIY... so this is really frustrating. The only time my car has been to the dealership was to get a track alignment (for a specific track, after I put in the cup car suspension myself, 6s/lap rocks, btw), and when I put a hole in the block of the original engine and got the X51 to replace it. That was 2 years ago, ~12k miles.

It looks like I've eliminated the headlight/ignition switch, since the voltages are the same on the fender connectors on each side. What the heck is going on here? Any ideas?

If it looks likely it's the housing, then I'll probably take it to the dealership, as they may find it's something a lot cheaper... but I don't want to just throw $600 parts at it and hope it gets better.

[Robert Wright]

I have the identical issue on my 99' 996 model and I'm just as frustrated and as much a "die hard" DIY. Did you find the problem with this?

[Loren]

Sometimes the connector inside the front fender pushes out of the holder when you slide the headlight in. Check this or remove the wheel well liner and check from the back side.

[janebang83]

I have passenger side dim low beam. Replaced bulb, but same. I can't see any issue with connector per Loren's suggestion. Trying to debug further before putting a new switch in. Please tell me normal voltage readings at connector? (other side bulb was replaced about month ago so am skeptical. 99 996 c2

[dammad]

I've seen this issue when the headlight isn't fully in the connector when the light is inserted. I'd suggest cleaning the plug/connector themselves and really make sure the whole light goes in smoothly and fully.

[logray]

You can remove the wheel liner to see the back of the head light and make sure the plug is fully seated, perhaps the plastic housing has broken and so the light isn't fully seating into the connector..

[skyline]

Mine had that problem on one side & it was a ***** to get the plug to insert. Eventually it did go in but as said they are flimsy. Surely easiest way is to check the socket with a voltmeter before inserting the headlight,, no voltage & the problem is elsewhere.