headlights very dim

[bballerkory]

I have a problem with my headlights. When I turn them on at night they barely work and I drive with my brights on all the time becuase they are about as bright as my regular lights should be. I was wondering if this was caused by bad wiring or some other fault of that sort. Please leave anything that might help. Thank You.

[GTP Dad]

Check the wiring. Usually very dim headlights are caused by a bad ground in the headlight circuit. Also check to insure the battery is charged and the alternator is working. Low voltage will cause a similar problem.

[bballerkory]

Do you know where the ground wire for the headlights are located?

[GTP Dad]

Sorry I don't. Check at the headlights and clean the contacts on the back of the lights and the connectors. The black wire is the ground and if you can follow it back you should be able to find the ground. If not connect another wire to the black wire and make a secondary ground. If the ground is the problem then the light should brighten immediately.

[Fabe01]

Have you tried removing your wiring harness and checking to see if GM installed yours with Duct tape like they did with the 2000 and 2001 Sunfires?

It's not that difficult to remove the wiring harness, it unplugs from underneath the battery holder and basically follows under the washer jug (which you will have to remove) and then goes across to the other side of the car along the rad. Check for corrosion (and duct tape of course) and simply replace the tape if there's no corrosion, and if there is, just cut the wire about a half inch on either side, and replace the piece you cut out with 2 inches of NEW wire, tape up securely and put it all back together.

Seriously, it's not as bad as it sounds, a little common sense and some electrical tape and wire cutters and you'll have your headlights working perfectly in no time.

You can also complain to GM about your headlights at

http://apps.gmcanada.com/app/GMCanad...256F98004FA6E3

The more people complain, the more chance to get your wiring replaced for free!

We gotta get GM to do a recall if we want some semblance of security driving at night!

[planedude]

The problem is more than likely right next to the hood release under the plastic shroud just ahead of the rad, I'm after fixing alot of these cars for that problem. There's a join right there.