Help needed diagnosing issues with headlights (1 Viewer)

[sc40]

Hey,
I’m having some issues with my headlights and am not sure what to do to isolate the root issue and get my headlights working correctly. I’ll follow this post up with 3 posts/images of what I’m seeing.

TL/DR: it seems like I only have headlights when my headlights are turned off

 

[sc40]

Headlights turned off

 

[sc40]

DRL

 

[sc40]

Headlights “on”

 

[sc40]

“Auto” headlights

 

[JunkCrzr89]

My guess is you have a couple of wires mismatched in the stalk connector or at the bulb connectors.

 

[sc40]

I see three lights in the headlight. Can someone help me confirm what “should” be happening?

Light 1 = Red
Light 2 = Purple
Light 3 = Green

 

[dbfw]

Well the LC lights are a bit different than my LX lights, but I'm sure conceptually the same.

1. Truck running, headlight switch off: DRLs should be illuminated, I think that's the purple box on your lights
2. Headlight stalk switched to parking lights, DRLs still on, parking lights also on, I think that's your green circle
3. Headlight switch to "on" position, DRLs turn off, headlights should turn on, in your red circle. Parking lights should remain on.

To me, it looks like everything is working correctly except your main headlights. Possible the bulbs just both went at the same time? Or maybe there is a connection issue with those. But the overall functionality looks to be correct at least to my eye.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Light 1 = Red
Light 2 = Purple
Light 3 = Green

Red = low beam
Purple = high beam + DRL
Green = Parking light

 

[Bisho]

Check that your lever isn't stuck in the "flash" position (pulled toward the steering wheel). It should normally be in the center position, and automatically return to the center if pulled forward. In the "flash" position the high beams will come on, even with the switch in off.

 

[Patassa]

Are your dims burned out? I don't see them on in any setting.

 

[sc40]

Best guess is that both low beam lights burnt out at the same time I replaced them less than 10hr of use ago!)

I’ll try that first and see where we land

 

[Patassa]

Best guess is that both low beam lights burnt out at the same time I replaced them less than 10hr of use ago!)

I’ll try that first and see where we land

You're saying 10 hrs of use ago both of your low beams were brand new and functional? But now they won't come on?

 

[sc40]

Yup, I replaced the 9006 with the 9012 ones (and did a little grinding to make it fit).

My plan is to replace with cheap 9006 bulbs and see if I have them burn out again really fast (which probably means I have another underlying issue). If not, maybe I just got really unlucky and had s*** 9012 bulbs

 

[sc40]

Here’s a few pictures of the light.
1) shows what looks like a small burn mark at the base
2) is a pic of the bulb info
3) the filament is broken and sorta looks like a part is stuck to the inside of the glass. I tried to draw a line pointing to it.

I’m thinking this might be more than just a bulb issue…

 

[Patassa]

Yup, I replaced the 9006 with the 9012 ones (and did a little grinding to make it fit).

My plan is to replace with cheap 9006 bulbs and see if I have them burn out again really fast (which probably means I have another underlying issue). If not, maybe I just got really unlucky and had s*** 9012 bulbs

Why did you put 9012s in place of the 9006s? How long did your previous 9006s last? They are usually good for several years.

 

[sc40]

Why did you put 9012s in place of the 9006s? How long did your previous 9006s last? They are usually good for several years.

HIR bulb base modification

It’s a sorta common mod to upgrade to the HIR bulb (link above)

The 9006 were in from the PO and I had the cruiser less than a week before the wife complained the lights in the 100 were not as good as her X5 so I was looking to make a small improvement.

 

[Patassa]

HIR bulb base modification

It’s a sorta common mod to upgrade to the HIR bulb (link above)

The 9006 were in from the PO and I had the cruiser less than a week before the wife complained the lights in the 100 were not as good as her X5 so I was looking to make a small improvement.

Gotcha. Seems strange those new 9012s both burned out that quickly and at the same time. The headlights on these just suck, in general. When you're ready for it, there's a semi involved bi-zenon HID retrofit that can be done which improves the headlights by a huge factor.

 

[toyuda]

Following this interesting thread.

When you first installed the 9012s was the light output noticeably better?

I can easily see how the daytime running lights could confuse when you actually lost the lights.

 

[KliersLC]

Just wanting to confirm that the 9012s were installed in the low beam spot? Any other headlight mods?