Mechanical Problems & Technical Chat If you've got a problem you just can't figure out, a noise you can't diagnose, or a check engine light that won't go away, ask about it here!

One Dim Headlight

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 03-09-2009, 12:56 PM
plethoric33's Avatar
March 2010 ROTM
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 1,962
Default One Dim Headlight

Does anyone know why one of my headlights would be pretty dim? I have changed the bulbs and checked some wire connections, but cant figure it out. It has like half the output of the other headlight. And I also have an issue with my turning signals, my left ones only work sometimes. Sometimes they flash slow, sometimes normal, and sometimes wont work at all. Any help?
 
  #2  
Old 03-09-2009, 02:12 PM
xsteinbachx's Avatar
HCF Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Posts: 884
Default

bad connections i'd say. Probably dirty somewhere and needs to be cleaned.
 
  #3  
Old 03-09-2009, 02:19 PM
RonJ's Avatar
Recognized HCF Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 9,453
Default

Is the left high beam also dim?

As mentioned, check for whether the hot and ground connections are loose or corroded. Do the same for the fuses.
 
  #4  
Old 03-09-2009, 05:37 PM
plethoric33's Avatar
March 2010 ROTM
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 1,962
Default

Ill give that a check in the morning. I havent checked the high beams. The fuses looked good when i checked them out yesterday. Where should I check the connection at? Its all good where the bulb actually hooks in.
 
  #5  
Old 03-09-2009, 05:42 PM
RonJ's Avatar
Recognized HCF Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 9,453
Default

Originally Posted by plethoric33
Where should I check the connection at? Its all good where the bulb actually hooks in.
Fuses, connectors, and bulb receptacles. Making Ohm/resistance measurements of wires would also be a good idea.
 
  #6  
Old 03-10-2009, 06:58 AM
mk378's Avatar
Recognized HCF Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,023
Default

Probably the ground for that headlight. This will also mess up the turn signals as all the bulbs on that corner of the car ground to the same place.
 
  #7  
Old 03-10-2009, 06:41 PM
plethoric33's Avatar
March 2010 ROTM
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 1,962
Default

I figured out today that the turning signals work fine unless the headlights are on. If I have no headlights on or just the parking lights on, the signals work fine. When I switch the headlights on, the signals quit working. The dim headlight and signal problem are both on the passenger side. Drivers side everything works. WTF!
 
  #8  
Old 03-10-2009, 07:46 PM
RonJ's Avatar
Recognized HCF Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 9,453
Default

Is the high beam affected?

What year Civic are we talking about?

As mk mentioned, it seems pretty clear that fixing the dim headlight will also fix the turn signal. The headlight and turn signal share the same Blk ground wire connection (G201 for 96-00 Civics), which is probably loose or corroded. Trace that Blk ground wire to find the bolt attached to the frame.

By the way, you shouldn't need to pay a shop for this fix.

Name:  picture_2138.jpg
Views: 9499
Size:  85.8 KB
 

Last edited by RonJ; 03-11-2009 at 08:20 AM.
  #9  
Old 03-11-2009, 07:55 AM
plethoric33's Avatar
March 2010 ROTM
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 1,962
Default

The ground looked a little corroded. Ill give it a clean later when I get my car back, slave cylinder kicked it yesterday. Its a 2000 Civic Hatch with a B18b1.
 
  #10  
Old 03-11-2009, 08:21 AM
RonJ's Avatar
Recognized HCF Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 9,453
Default

Originally Posted by plethoric33
The ground looked a little corroded. Ill give it a clean later when I get my car back, slave cylinder kicked it yesterday. Its a 2000 Civic Hatch with a B18b1.
Clean it thoroughly with some steel wool.
 


Quick Reply: One Dim Headlight



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:00 PM.