Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Are you having difficulty driving in the dark? Your vehicle's low beam headlights may be dim or malfunctioning. This is a huge danger. Fortunately, you can easily get your headlights back on.

Steps

1. 1 Check fuses. The plastic panel covering the fuses should have a fuse layout under the cover. If the cover is missing or does not have a schematic sticker, see the schematic in the owner's manual, or the Hanes (tm) or Chilton (tm) repair manual. Often the headlight does not work due to a blown fuse. The fuses contain a wire through which current flows. If the voltage rises, the wire will melt, the fuse will blow, and the circuit will be broken. If the headlamp fuse is working, most likely the problem is different.
2. 2 Replace the inoperative headlamp bulb with the same bulb on the other headlamp. If the left headlight does not work, replace the inoperative lamp with a right headlight bulb. If the headlight starts to burn, then its lamp is faulty and needs to be replaced.
3. 3 If this does not work, try using a voltmeter to check the voltage at the inoperative headlamp wire connectors. Switch on the ignition and turn the headlamp switch. If the voltmeter does not show voltage, then either the switch or the wires to the headlight are faulty.
4. 4 If, after replacing the headlamp switch, the problem persists, the reason lies in the damage to the wiring to the headlights, which must be replaced.

Tips

• Some models are known to have faults in the headlight switch (Mazda RX-7, Nissan 300ZX, and some others). Look for sites where owners of the same car model as yours seek help from fellow owners ("z31.com", "rx7.com", etc.). Sometimes they can be an invaluable information resource.

Warnings

• Be sure to use a voltmeter to check the voltage at the headlamp switch terminals before replacing it. Some headlamp switches can be expensive, and if you replace them, you will be very disappointed if it turns out that the cause of the problem lies in damaged wiring, and not the failure of the switch.

What do you need

• Working headlight
• Voltmeter
• Headlight removal tools (usually a Phillips screwdriver, see your owner's manual or the "Hanes (tm)" or "Chilton (tm)" manual for more information on your model)