One headlight is dim

Hi-
This is a 2001 Saturn wagon. One of the low beams seems half as bright as
it should be (right side). Replaced the bulb but that did not help. The
high beam on that side don't work but not worried about that. Any ideas on
this? Thanks a lot for any ideas!

 

In many cases this is the result of a bad ground to the light due to
rust/corrosion. If you are getting the full ~13VDC from the battery to the
light, then I'd suspect the ground wire. If the voltage to the bulb is low
(as measured referenced to the battery negative post), then it could also be
due to bad contacts inside the headlight relay.

This should not be too difficult to fix. Post what you find for the benefit
of others and good luck.

Bob

 

A good why to trouble shot this it use a pin to get thru insulation by
socket and measure voltage with light on before bulb and after buld to
ground. You should have around 12 volts on hot side and no volts on
ground side when referanced to ground. If voltage is below 12 it is in
the feed and if voltage is present between ground side of plug and
ground then ground is bad.

 

The WORST thing you can do to a car's electrical system is to probe
the wires! DO NOT PROBE THE WIRE INSULATION TO CHECK FOR VOLTAGE, YOU
WILL BE SORRY LATER. Probing a wire is best way to start corrosion
inside the wire and have a never-ending problem. Check for voltage at
the headlight connector, high and low beams. Check for ground at the
headlight connector.

PLEASE DO NOT PROBE THE WIRE INSULATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

James

 

I disagree, done properly it is not a problem and if you are worried
about it you can simple put a little silicone grease or sealant on it
when you are done. I pin make a very small hole that tends to seal
afterwards and I have done this for many years in many applications
and never had any ill come from it.

 

Jim I would check fuses , my 2000 Lw2 manual shows fuses for each head
light. Sounds like it may be staying in the DRL position (driving
light) which is dimmmer than regular lights.

 

I would say that the dim light has a corroded interior. The bulb generates
enough light, but it doesn't get out of the headlamp.

I had another car that had water in the headlamp enclosure and it sounds
much like your problem. If it is the case, the only solution is to replace
the whole reflector unit. I tried and tried to dry it out, but I couldn't.
It just seemed to suck moisture back in.