1996 Geo Metro car headlight problem, HELP!
LYNN2007
08-28-2007, 08:22 AM
Hello, I have a 1996 Geo Metro car. I have a headlight problem. One head light of the driver’s side is bright and normal but the passenger side headlight is dim. Also, I've been told that these Geo Metro's have a headlight fuse between the 2 headlights, but where is the headlight fuse between the 2 headlights?
Please help!:cwm27:
Lynn2007
Please help!:cwm27:
Lynn2007
GM Line Rat
08-28-2007, 09:20 AM
I dont know which type of headlights you have in this car, But I assume it's a single "sealed beam" unit on each side of the car like this one?
http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/img/syl/4613530797_bulb.jpg
Headlight Fuse between them ???.....Nope! If the headlight fuse was blown, none of the headlights would work. Your problem is a poor ground connection or poor headlight electrical plug connection on the PS (Passenger Side) of the car.
1st, Open the hood, then Find the BLACK Ground wire that is screwed into the side of the body, by the front of the PS Fender (Near the headlight area). Remove the screw holding the ground wire in place, take a small knife blade and scrape both sides of the metal ground wire terminal, clean the area off where the terminal touches the Body.....Then put the ground wire back on (Dont over tighten it, Just make sure it's tighten down good and snug).
If the headlight works good now.....Your done! If not, Proceed to the next process below.
Find the electrical plug the hooks up in the back of the PS Headlight assembly. With the headlights turned on, grab the electrical plug and push in on it or gently wiggle the plug "Side to Side" while watching the headlight.......Does the headlight brighten up and work as it supposed to now?
If so, the electrical connector metal contacts are dirty or oxidized (Slots where it plugs into the back of the headlight) and making a poor connection to the headlight. To fix the problem:
1. Buy a can of "Electrical Contact Cleaner" from your local auto store.
2. Grab the plastic headlight electrical connector (Not wires) and gently wiggle it side to side while pulling out on it until it comes off the headlight. Pull the connector and wires out where you can work on it.
3. With the headlights turned OFF, Look at the headlight connector...You'll see the slots where it plugs into the headlight. With a small pocket knife, take the tip of the knife and gently scrape the metal contacts in the slots of the connector. DONT Push the knife into the slots, just scrape the top of them to clean them off.
4. Now, Holding the electrical connector with the slots facing towards the Ground....Spray a little of the contact cleaner into the slots, and let it drain out good, repeat 1 more time...Then let it dry.
5. If you can look in the back of the headlight, you'll see the metal prongs the connector plugs Onto. Take your knife and gently scrape these off to....Then wipe them off with a clean rag.
6. Put them headlight electrical connector back on the headlight and see if if works correclty now?.......It should!
If after all of this, the headlight still doesn't work......Time to buy a New PS Headlight and install it.
http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/img/syl/4613530797_bulb.jpg
Headlight Fuse between them ???.....Nope! If the headlight fuse was blown, none of the headlights would work. Your problem is a poor ground connection or poor headlight electrical plug connection on the PS (Passenger Side) of the car.
1st, Open the hood, then Find the BLACK Ground wire that is screwed into the side of the body, by the front of the PS Fender (Near the headlight area). Remove the screw holding the ground wire in place, take a small knife blade and scrape both sides of the metal ground wire terminal, clean the area off where the terminal touches the Body.....Then put the ground wire back on (Dont over tighten it, Just make sure it's tighten down good and snug).
If the headlight works good now.....Your done! If not, Proceed to the next process below.
Find the electrical plug the hooks up in the back of the PS Headlight assembly. With the headlights turned on, grab the electrical plug and push in on it or gently wiggle the plug "Side to Side" while watching the headlight.......Does the headlight brighten up and work as it supposed to now?
If so, the electrical connector metal contacts are dirty or oxidized (Slots where it plugs into the back of the headlight) and making a poor connection to the headlight. To fix the problem:
1. Buy a can of "Electrical Contact Cleaner" from your local auto store.
2. Grab the plastic headlight electrical connector (Not wires) and gently wiggle it side to side while pulling out on it until it comes off the headlight. Pull the connector and wires out where you can work on it.
3. With the headlights turned OFF, Look at the headlight connector...You'll see the slots where it plugs into the headlight. With a small pocket knife, take the tip of the knife and gently scrape the metal contacts in the slots of the connector. DONT Push the knife into the slots, just scrape the top of them to clean them off.
4. Now, Holding the electrical connector with the slots facing towards the Ground....Spray a little of the contact cleaner into the slots, and let it drain out good, repeat 1 more time...Then let it dry.
5. If you can look in the back of the headlight, you'll see the metal prongs the connector plugs Onto. Take your knife and gently scrape these off to....Then wipe them off with a clean rag.
6. Put them headlight electrical connector back on the headlight and see if if works correclty now?.......It should!
If after all of this, the headlight still doesn't work......Time to buy a New PS Headlight and install it.
LYNN2007
08-29-2007, 08:16 PM
GM Line Rat thank you so much for your post! I hope I can fix this problem. Again thank you!
LYNN2007
LYNN2007
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026