Day time headlights problem

90

Asked by DylanSayler Feb 26, 2016 at 09:52 PM about the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sedan FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

There is something wrong with the wiring in
my headlights. When my low beams are on
my right headlight doesn't work. When the
high beams are on they both do. My
headlights have one bulb for each side that
work for high and low beam. I just got a
new light bulb, because I thought the low
beam wasn't working on the right side.
Whenever I'm in drive and my day time
running lights automatically turn on, my
lights flash for about 3-5 seconds then the
lights turn off and my service engine light
shows up on my dash board. Could this be
a wiring problem for the headlights? If it
might be, is there any way I can fix this
problem so both lights work on high and
low beams?

5 Answers

11,105

I am sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your lights. Cavalier's are actually reliable cars and last for a long time. Because you are having the Service Engine Soon Light come on with the intermittent headlight and daytime running light problems I might say its an electrical or a wiring problem however, because there are two bulbs for the high and low beams, I would recommend swapping out all the headlight bulbs. There might just be a connection problem especially if they are old. The other problem can be the wiring in the actual head light switch on the turn signal. Do you have any troubles with the turn signals? Do they work or cause any activity on the dash? Electrical problems can be some of the most expensive and tricky repairs because of the time it takes to track them down. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions.

2 people found this helpful.
Best Answer Mark helpful
90

My car has been really reliable with no engine problems and I've had my car for almost a year. The only problems I have with it is electrical problems and the power steering leaks..I have no problems with the turn signal. I don't think its light switch on the turn signal. I just hope it's could be a loose connection somewhere by the headlights.

90

Yesterday I just put two brand new light bulb in my car and that solved my day time running lights problem. About last October my right head light burnt out and I replaced only the right light bulb. Then that's where my day time running lights problem started. Apparently the whole time I just needed to switch the left and the right bulbs with brand new bulbs. I never would have thought that would have solved my problem. Thanks for telling me to swap all the headlights!!

3 people found this helpful.
10

because of the way they wired the headlights behind the bumper, they are prone to degrading wiring.the best thing to do is unwrap the existing wiring behind the bumper and check for corroded wires and the re wrap in electrcial tape. If you have to repair a wire, make sure you use a car electrical wire shrink wrap to seal the seam and keep out moisture.

1 people found this helpful.
10

If i remember correct, the factory actually used duct tape on some connections. When people go to put washer solvent in, and spillage goes down the inside fender well directly into the wiring loom where the headlight wiring is and eventually makes those taped connections corrode and fail and cause the lights to not work, flash and or have dtr issues

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Cavalier

Looking for a Used Cavalier in your area?

CarGurus has 2 nationwide Cavalier listings and the tools to find you a great deal.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    John Saffrahn
    Reputation
    4,830
  • #2
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    1,980
  • #3
    mbar1
    Reputation
    1,670
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
222 Great Deals out of 9,112 listings starting at $2,900
Used Chevrolet Malibu
46 Great Deals out of 1,132 listings starting at $2,995
Used Chevrolet Suburban
16 Great Deals out of 511 listings starting at $11,950
Used Ford Mustang
61 Great Deals out of 1,603 listings starting at $6,500
Used Ford F-150
363 Great Deals out of 12,802 listings starting at $599
Used Honda Civic
190 Great Deals out of 4,208 listings starting at $2,916

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.