Headlight on driver's side dim; they go out when I put brights on.

20

Asked by zanichbug Jan 08, 2015 at 04:39 PM about the 2002 Subaru Outback Base Wagon

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I switched the headlight housings from left to right, then the headlight relays. The problem still stayed on the driver's side. New bulbs already.

4 Answers

1,115

My guess is a bad ground. A headlight is normally grounded to the chassis of a vehicle in order to allow electricity to complete a circuit and return to the vehicle's negative battery terminal. If the headlight's ground loosens or is corroded, the headlight will begin to dim. Trace the route of each of the wires coming from the wiring harness until the ground is found. The ground is the wire that runs directly to the chassis. Clean and tighten the connection. Hope this works for you.

3 people found this helpful.
20

I'll check that out. Still don't understand why I would only get 6 volts going to the lamp. I bought a new switch assembly for the steering column, thinking it might be that. It didn't... It's hard to trace the ground back because it disappears into the fender well; but I should have continuity between that ground wire and the frame; is that what you're suggesting? Thank you...

2 people found this helpful.
20

My low beam on the driver side went out, we replaced the bulb and it still does not work. I checked the fuse and it is not blown and I tried a different blub. any help on where to look next?

2 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Outback

Looking for a Used Outback in your area?

CarGurus has 1,155 nationwide Outback listings starting at $2,995.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mark Weiner
    Reputation
    33,250
  • #2
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    28,360
  • #3
    Keith Cahalan
    Reputation
    3,310
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Forester
37 Great Deals out of 1,259 listings starting at $3,995
Used Toyota RAV4
142 Great Deals out of 3,046 listings starting at $5,995
Used Honda CR-V
199 Great Deals out of 4,911 listings starting at $440
Used Toyota 4Runner
23 Great Deals out of 528 listings starting at $7,700
Used Subaru Legacy
16 Great Deals out of 219 listings starting at $3,000
Used Toyota Tacoma
39 Great Deals out of 825 listings starting at $9,975
Used Toyota Highlander
35 Great Deals out of 863 listings starting at $7,498
Used Subaru Impreza
35 Great Deals out of 660 listings starting at $3,995
Used Toyota Camry
59 Great Deals out of 1,091 listings starting at $2,500
Used Honda Pilot
35 Great Deals out of 1,030 listings starting at $3,800
Used Ford F-150
298 Great Deals out of 13,634 listings starting at $3,888

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.