Headlight Issue

[masada]

Hi all,

I have a 1996 Camry. A week ago my driver side headlight went out. I have a single bulb-style with high and low beam so I tested the high beam and that part still works with it. It's just the low beam that's not working. I thought a simple bulb replacement would do the trick but, no. Still have the same issue.

Then I thought it must be the fuse. So I saw that each headlight has a 15 amp fuse. I took out the driver side fuse and noticed it wasn't blown. I decided to replace it anyways but, no. Still no low beam for the driver side bulb.

I thought this might be a wire issue but something interesting happened: just for fun I pulled out the fuse for the passenger side headlight and noticed that BOTH bulbs lit up, but only half way (really weak). So that tells me the wires are fine. (also remember that the high beam for that side still works.)


What is going on here? Any suggestions would be grateful!

[somick]

You may have a light relay in your car.

Download your car's repair manual from www.camrystuff.com and consult the electrical diagram.

Good luck,

Sam

[masada]

Thanks for your reply.

I did locate that there is a light relay for the headlight.


I know little about cars but I was just wondering how likely it would be a light relay? I guess I don't know what a relay is or it's purpose.

[somick]

You energize a relay and it connects the main contacts that carry the main load. Those contacts may go bad. The easy fix would be to change a relay and see if it cures the problem.

I just thought of something: have you tried to switch bulbs from right to left?

Good luck,

Sam

[masada]

Originally Posted by somick

I just thought of something: have you tried to switch bulbs from right to left?

Yeah. I was so confused by the PSGR-side working but not the DVR-side that I took the PSGR-side bulb out and move it to the DVR-side, "just to see what happens." Actually, I originally purchased two bulbs (thinking that a new bulb would work), so I wouldn't have to replace the other anytime soon. Because of this, I had tried moving the PSGR-side bulb there, as well as trying two new bulbs.

I'm going to try replacing that relay and cross my fingers. I'll keep this post posted.

[jdmccright]

Yours may actually be a 1997 model year. 1992-1996 (Gen III) Camrys had separate low-and high-beam bulbs. 1997-2001 Camrys (Gen V) used a combined dual-filament bulb. Check the door sticker for the actual build date to verify. Also check if yours was a Canada spec model with DRLs...the wiring diagrams are slightly different.

If you pulled the fuse to the working bulb and the NON-WORKING bulb starts working, then I'd suspect a grounding problem or corrosion of the terminals in that junction/fuse block...the fuses or the light relay may need to be cleaned of oxidation on the connectors. Just go slow or try to move those wires in a warmed environment...old, cold plastic and insulation is brittle and messing with it can just make things worse.

[masada]

Thanks jdmccright.

OK, I could've just ignored this post and saved face, but I think it would be best if people learn from my mistake. That is, if you can find someone dumber than me.

My last car had one of those dual filament bulbs that covered both low and high beams, so I didn't think twice about that. Simply put: I didn't know there were two bulbs. Hurray for the inane! I actually did most of my checking at night since I work during the days so it never occurred to me that there was another bulb towards the quarter-panel.

So, um, yeah. Me=

Thanks to somick and jdmccright for the input. And here's to a new year of paying attention!

Cheers

[somick]

It is a great pleasure to find out that you do not have to take your car apart and that this is only a bulb.

Congratulation on solving your problem,

Sam