Drove for two days in virtual monsoon rains last week and the right side low beam headlight went out. The 20 amp fuze blows the instant the ignition is turned on with the headlights on auto. Any suggestions as to what it may be?

 

Hi,
I would think, from your description, that water has got in and shorted the circuit.
Before you spend any money, have a good look at the affected light and the wiring to it for any remaining water.
Also check the connector and clean if needs be.

Disconnect the connector from the light unit and see if the fuse blows again. If not then the problem will be in the light unit itself and then its time to get the spanners out.

Hope this helps,

 

Disconnected the light unit.The fuze didn't blow. Where,or what should I be looking for?

 

Hi Sqeeter,
Unfortunately you may have to remove the headlight unit and strip it down to find the problem. It may just be some standing water that is causing a short, if you are lucky.
The 20A fuse, supplied by the dip beam relay, supplies the headlamp levelling control module. I would start there.
You could also look at your local breakers yards for possible replacement unit if you can't fix yours. Certainly cheaper than dealer prices.

Hope this helps.

 

Disassembyld the head light. No standing water. Appeared to have some corosion on the ballast connection. Cleaned everything.Low beam still doesn;t work, but the fuze doesn't blow any longer. Could it be the ballast?

 

If you have proved the lamp is ok then the ballast is the likely culprit. At least now you have got to the point where the fuse is no longer rupturing.

You could try the lamp from the other side and that should tell you one way or the other.

 

I have a brand new pair of HID Bulbs. no bulbs light . Should I get a new ballast? is there anyway to test it to see if its good or bad?

 

If you can get to the output side, check the voltage compared to the working side. I'm sure you have already checked the connector to the low beam lamp.

If you can open up the ballast it may be obvious what the problem may be.

Failing that, looks like a new or salvaged one.

 

I ordered a new ballast from HIDorigin.com this morning. Jaguar OEM, and less expensive than a mopar unit that is supposed to work.

 

be careful on the output side, that's high voltage. Swapping the ballast to the other lamp, that you know works fine, should determine if the ballast is the culprit. A new one is pricey, around $300 via amazon. We haven't found a reliable way to repair ballasts just yet, so that's the only recourse for a bad one. They have only a 3,000 hour rating, so use them wisely.

 

The new OEM Ballast is installed, and the lights are again working fine. Thanks Jim and H2O for the help.

 

Hey Sqeeter91,
Glad you have it sorted and your cat can now see out of both eyes again.