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Good afternoon, I am wondering if anyone can help.
the driver headlight was flickering for a bit and the quit completely. I bought new bulbs and it is still not working.
any idea?
It is a very tight space in there, anyone has the procedure to remove the whole headlight assembly?
thank you
No, don't take that whole headlight assembly out. How does that socket look where it plugs into the bulb? If it's corroded, you could try cleaning that socket with some Radio Shack Cleaner and Lubricant (Cat. No. 6400148) If that doesn't work, check to see that you're getting a steady voltage reading out of that socket. Just plug the bulb in part way into the socket, and attach a couple of miniature alligator leads. Of course, make sure that those leads aren't touching anywhere. If worse gets to worse, you may have to replace that socket with a couple of female spades connectors.
No, don't take that whole headlight assembly out. How does that socket look where it plugs into the bulb? If it's corroded, you could try cleaning that socket with some Radio Shack Cleaner and Lubricant (Cat. No. 6400148) If that doesn't work, check to see that you're getting a steady voltage reading out of that socket. Just plug the bulb in part way into the socket, and attach a couple of miniature alligator leads. Of course, make sure that those leads aren't touching anywhere. If worse gets to worse, you may have to replace that socket with a couple of female spades connectors.
You might want to check the grounding location behind the headlight to make sure they are not corroded and are secure. Take care as the lugs can easily become damaged. If this happens, just drill and use a nut and bolt.
You really need to drop the front bumper and remove both head lights for proper access to everything. How you troubleshoot these is by swapping stuff side to side. But at this late date I would consider changing both bulbs but lets find your problem first?
First swap the ballast from one side to the other as right now your symptoms point to that. Do check for corrosion but I have never seen corrosion at those points because you should have a cover over the back of the light bulb anyway? Is that missing?
Here is the back of an Xenon head lamp;
You need to get access to the back to remove that wire bail and get that plastic panel off. You need to be careful and NOT apply force in the wrong places. Also note that the wiring inside these head lamps will be cooked and very brittle from the intense heat. The insulation will be falling off. It's all plastic so probably no shorting out but do take a look. Try not to touch it if possible.
One other warning is the interior chrome on the lights is some kind of plastic coating and is very easily damaged so again try NOT to touch the interior chrome. I ran into this because the next thing is are you going to sand/polish the lens? I bake these lights in an oven a bit and take them apart. If you go that far the interior chrome will be exposed and easy to touch.
Here is where your ballast is;
Again you need the head lights off the car to work on them. Please stop trying to do it otherwise.
Here are the parts shown spread out. Note the 3 items on the right. You need to swap these items side to side to find the items that have failed. The bulbs do age and I would for sure replace both bulbs regardless. The ballasts I don't change unless they fail.
Post back what you replace if you can?
Finally I change all the other bulbs while I am there too. Your high beams are still Halogen so change them and the turn signal bulb too.
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You really need to drop the front bumper and remove both head lights for proper access to everything. How you troubleshoot these is by swapping stuff side to side. But at this late date I would consider changing both bulbs but lets find your problem first?
First swap the ballast from one side to the other as right now your symptoms point to that. Do check for corrosion but I have never seen corrosion at those points because you should have a cover over the back of the light bulb anyway? Is that missing?
Here is the back of an Xenon head lamp;
You need to get access to the back to remove that wire bail and get that plastic panel off. You need to be careful and NOT apply force in the wrong places. Also note that the wiring inside these head lamps will be cooked and very brittle from the intense heat. The insulation will be falling off. It's all plastic so probably no shorting out but do take a look. Try not to touch it if possible.
One other warning is the interior chrome on the lights is some kind of plastic coating and is very easily damaged so again try NOT to touch the interior chrome. I ran into this because the next thing is are you going to sand/polish the lens? I bake these lights in an oven a bit and take them apart. If you go that far the interior chrome will be exposed and easy to touch.
Here is where your ballast is;
Again you need the head lights off the car to work on them. Please stop trying to do it otherwise.
Here are the parts shown spread out. Note the 3 items on the right. You need to swap these items side to side to find the items that have failed. The bulbs do age and I would for sure replace both bulbs regardless. The ballasts I don't change unless they fail.
Post back what you replace if you can?
Finally I change all the other bulbs while I am there too. Your high beams are still Halogen so change them and the turn signal bulb too.
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I am on it, I will remove them and start from there. They are all complete and no missing covers. Thanks
That's a good point too. Taking the front bumper off is very easy. I try to use two people and set it on the concrete on towels or rags but that's about it for doing anything hard or special. Don't be afraid of doing it. It will reduce possible breakage and make working on things so much easier.
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2004 xj8 headlight
