Dim Headlight .. possible ground problem .. iceshark help if possible plz
08-31-2004, 08:48 PM
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Dim Headlight .. possible ground problem .. iceshark help if possible plz
On the car im looking at buying one headlight is dim.. very dim. The other one is fine. A mechanic at the shop I took it for a PPI at said its most likely a ground problem, and my family mechanic said the same.
So I was wondering.. is this a simple fix? what needs to be done? and anyone have a place w instructions on exactly what to do?
So I was wondering.. is this a simple fix? what needs to be done? and anyone have a place w instructions on exactly what to do?
08-31-2004, 09:47 PM
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Grounds for the headlights are right behind the lights toward the radiator, IIRC.
Also check for a broken headlight wiring harness - heat, age, and continual flexing takes its toll.
Anyway, if there is power to the left headlight, an IceShark headlight harness will fix the problem and upgrade the car all at once. Very worthy upgrade.
Also check for a broken headlight wiring harness - heat, age, and continual flexing takes its toll.
Anyway, if there is power to the left headlight, an IceShark headlight harness will fix the problem and upgrade the car all at once. Very worthy upgrade.
09-01-2004, 01:11 AM
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Well, when my passenger headlight went dim, or dead, it would be always be because of that plug that the bulb plugs into had some dirty contacts. Try wiggling the plug while the lights are on, until it turns on.
09-01-2004, 02:03 AM
#7
Nordschleife Master
Well, if you want to be scientific about this put a voltmeter on the plug/bulb legs when the bulb is burning. If voltage is low, say under about 10.5 volts, then it is in the wiring up stream. I know, voltage should be up towards 14 volts but these cars can't make it anywhere close with their old crap wiring. Try the checks mentioned above: headlight plug, partially fractured wire in the headlight harness where it flexes when the buckets go up and down, and the ground to the forward frame rail. Just look for brown wires bolted on under and to the outer rear of the headlight bucket.
Finally, you could have a headlight that is going out. What happens is the filament off gasses a little tungsten everytime it burns. This can coat the glass and cause a filtering cutting down on light. Also as the filament is losing material it doesn't perform as well as when it was new. That is easy enough to check by just swapping out the bulb or headlight if they are old sealed beams.
Your problem shouldn't be a big deal to track down and fix.
Finally, you could have a headlight that is going out. What happens is the filament off gasses a little tungsten everytime it burns. This can coat the glass and cause a filtering cutting down on light. Also as the filament is losing material it doesn't perform as well as when it was new. That is easy enough to check by just swapping out the bulb or headlight if they are old sealed beams.
Your problem shouldn't be a big deal to track down and fix.
