Clean the lenses, replace the bulbs, or
repair the charging system
. If your headlights always seem dim, the problem could be foggy lenses or worn out bulbs. If your headlights seem to dim during specific circumstances, there may be a charging system issue.
Why did my headlights suddenly stop working?
Most total headlight failures are caused by a bad component like a fuse, relay, or module. Wiring problems can also cause both headlights to stop working. … The cause:
A burned out bulb
, or a problem with the high beam switch or relay. The fix: Replace the bulb, switch, or relay.
Can a fuse make your headlights go out?
All the electrical systems in your car, including the headlights, are
protected with fuses
. These are designed to ‘blow’ and break the circuit if too much power comes through them. This protects all the components on the circuit. If a headlight fuse blows, it could cause the headlights to stop working.
How do you diagnose headlight problems?
- Turn on your headlights. Replace whichever headlight bulbs do not turn on. …
- Open the engine compartment fuse box. Pull the fuse that operates on the non-functioning headlight circuit. …
- Connect the negative lead of the voltmeter to the negative terminal on the car battery.
What to do if headlights stop working?
- First, try your dimmer switch. Often that will turn them back on again.
- Try the headlight switch a few times. If that does not work, use your parking lights, hazard lights, or turn signals.
- Pull off the road as soon as you can and leave your hazard lights on so that other cars can see you.
What are the symptoms of a bad headlight relay?
- Headlight doors don’t open. One of the first symptoms of a failed headlight closure relay is headlight doors that don’t open. …
- Headlight doors stuck open. …
- Headlight doors operate erratically and open or close on their own.
Why do my low beams not work but high beams do?
Since the low beams are used the most, they tend to burn our much sooner than the high beams. If your low beams stop working but the high beams still turn on, there’s a good chance that simply replacing the headlight bulbs with new OEM headlights will solve the problem.
How much does it cost to fix headlight wiring?
The wiring may be damaged over a period of time. It can cost you
$100 per hour
. The reason behind the problem may be a faulty headlight switch. Often times, if the headlight works only on high beam or low beam, the dimmer switch may have broken.
Why are my high beams not working?
By far the most common reason your brights will stop working is from
a blown fuse or a bad relay
. … Or, it could be a bad relay. If the headlight relay has failed, it may not respond when you attempt to switch the high beams on. Replacing the relay should restore the system and get your high beams working once again.
What does a bad headlight bulb look like?
One of the first symptoms of a bad or failing headlight bulb is
dim headlights
. Over time headlight bulbs can wear out and begin to shine noticeably dimmer than when they were new. A dim headlight will not provide proper illumination and is also usually a sign that the bulb is approaching the end of its service life.
When I turn my high beams on the lights go out?
Most of the
time both bulbs are bad
. The connections to the bulbs could be faulty as well. If you’re unable to pinpoint the issue, have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, diagnose your lights firsthand for an accurate repair.
What is a bad headlight relay?
The most common sign of a bad headlight relay is
headlights that don’t work
. A headlight relay will typically fail in the open position, preventing voltage from reaching the headlights. If the low beam relay fails, the low beams won’t work.
How do you check a headlight relay?
- Turn on Your Lights. Turn on your lights. …
- Listen for the Click. Open the hood, locate the fuse box with the headlight relay or relays, and open it. …
- Replace the Relay. Have an assistant turn on the headlights. …
- Multimeter Tests.
What does it mean when your headlights wont come on?
If the bulb still doesn’t light up, there is a fault in the wiring harness or a corroded bulb socket and it’s time to call your mechanic for expert assistance. … The likely cause is a
fuse
, headlight relay, headlight switch, dimmer switch or a wiring fault. About the only cause that is an easy fix is a blown fuse.
Is there a fuse for low beam lights?
There may be a
blown fuse
or the wiring leading to your headlights may have been compromised. First, locate the headlight fuse and make sure it is intact. … The filament in your low beam bulb may be about to break or there may be a voltage issue going to the headlight when you have the low beams on.
Do low beams stay on with high beams?
Normally
the low beams go off with the high beams in a cobalt
. This does not affect the daytime running lights since they are always on unless you turn them off. However, if you do turn off the auto lights and then flash your high beams (for example to signal another car) both the low beams and high beams flash.
