[RESOLVED] Headlight problem

[90-DSM-TSI-AWD]

Ok, first off im not sure if this in the right place but here it goes. I was driving my car last night when one of my friends told me that my passenger side headlight was out. I figured it was just a bulb, and was going to replace it the next day. The next day i go and check my lights, I turn them on, and both lights don't go on. I then check the high beams and those don't work either. I checked all the fuses and relays (they seem to be fine). I just need some help, because i won't be able to drive at night for a while now.
Thanks, Matt

 

[3aG1e_7a1oN]

May be a stupid question, but that second day when you went to check the lights, was they key on?

 

[cano86]

May be a stupid question, but that second day when you went to check the lights, was they key on?

You dont need the key on to turn your lights on.
By the way have you checked the plugs that go to your lights.

 

[914g63gsx]

on my car you do i got a 91 and key has to be on for headlights to work. but on my 93gs it did not have to be onWTF

 

[gregalmighty]

So your driver headlight was working when your friend said your passenger headlight was out? Do your parking lamps and tail lamps still work? Maybe both bulbs burned out at the same time. How did you check the fuses? Usually fuses blow right in the middle and its obvious but sometimes there may just be a small break towards one of the prongs which is hard to see. The best way to check them is with a multimeter, just put it on the continuity setting. If they all check out then maybe you have a short somewhere. Take the multimeter and start checking the continuity of the wires running from the headlights to the fuse box, eventually you'll track down the faulty wire.

To me it sounds like one lamp burned out then the other one shortly after though so I would definitely check the bulbs first and go from there. The headlights will work even without the keys in the ignition so I don't think that has anything to do with it, although it would be nice if they had an automatic shut off for when your knuckle head friend borrows your car and leaves them on all day

Edit: Each car must vary, I've had a 90, 94, and 2 95's and all of them were the same where the keys didn't have to be in the ignition

 

[3aG1e_7a1oN]

You dont need the key on to turn your lights on.
By the way have you checked the plugs that go to your lights.

As you can see it depends on the car.

 

[cano86]

Ok its good to learn something new everyday

 

[gregalmighty]

Ok its good to learn something new everyday

+1, I didn't know that either I just assumed they were all the same

 

[90-DSM-TSI-AWD]

So your driver headlight was working when your friend said your passenger headlight was out?

Yes, exactly.

Do your parking lamps and tail lamps still work? Maybe both bulbs burned out at the same time.

Yes, my parking lights work, and my tail lights work as well, even the blinkers too. I have a 92, i havent even looked at the light setup at all, but i always thought i had one bulb for regular lights, then another for highs. If thats how it is, then i either blew all four, (or two) bulbs, or i have a short somewhere. Ill check it, then get back to you guys.

 

[90-DSM-TSI-AWD]

By the way have you checked the plugs that go to your lights.

I was going to do that, but when i figured out none of my headlights were working, i said screw it. ill check it tho.

 

[Defiant]

Look for melted connector housings, especially if you've upped the bulb wattage. And, it could simply be that they've burned out at the same time. Do you know what your alternator is putting out?

 

[90-DSM-TSI-AWD]

Well thanks for your help, for some reason all four of my bulbs have burned out at the same time. Weird.

 

[Defiant]

Measure your output voltage, just in case. But chances are good it was just age.

 

[90-DSM-TSI-AWD]

Measure your output voltage, just in case. But chances are good it was just age.

Alright, I will. Thanks for your help. What should the voltage be?

 

[Defiant]

No more than about 14.5V.