Headlight is not turning off -- any suggestions

Hello. I new to this forum, but I have used the search feature and was not able to find the answer to this question. If anyone can be of assistance, I would surely appreciate it.

I have a 2001 Malibu. 4 days ago, the left headlight(low beam) seemed to go out. Not yet having a chance to get a bulb to replace it yet, I come outside today, and that light (which was previously out) was on. The car was not on and had not been on all day, but apparently it turned itself on.

Now, I am unable to turn the light off without pulling the headlight fuses.

I can also get it to turn off if I bang on the light housing hard enough.

The right side seems to operate fine.

I am at a loss as to what could be causing this? short somewhere? cpu? automatic relay?

If anyone could shed some light (no pun inteneded) on this, I would be grateful.

Electrical problems can be a bear to find and fix. Since you can bang on the headlight housing and it works, it sounds like a problem with the ground. At least thats where I would start

Electrical problems can be a bear to find and fix. Since you can bang on the headlight housing and it works, it sounds like a problem with the ground. At least thats where I would start


Hey, I just wanted to follow up to say that you were correct Old Lar, it was a bad ground. When I got the light assembly off and started to trace the wires, the ground wire had somehow become severed.

Anyway, I soldered that connection and all is well now. Thanks alot.