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Headlight Problem

Motorhate

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Location
London / Kent
Car
Honda Accord CDTI
My problem is that my right headlight will not light up when my left one does but when i put it on high beam it works just fine on both. I have replaced the bulb twice (what a pain that was) and still no light from the right headlight. No main or dipped beam. Indicator works fine. Checked fuses, they look good too. Odd thing is, on the bulb I took out the filament looks OK - not blown or broken. I'm wondering if its the headlight stalk switch needs replacing or not? I'm out of ideas here :(
 
Have you checked if there is current coming to the low beam bulb holder? Check if there is current going through the cable for the low beam.
 
I do not think the cheap bulb is the issue. If you haven't checked all fuses as edgeoftime suggested, check them again, and measure the current, check the connection cable for the low beam that is inside the headlight, check the plug for the low beam that goes into the headlight. I remember a similar case where it was just a fuse, because you have separate fuse for left and right headlights, for lows and highs, etc.
Just do a thorough check.
 
Hasn't your car just come out of the workshop following a complete engine rebuild? Was this problem present before it went in?

If not then I would investigate whether an earthing point has been missed somewhere when they've been reasembling the engine.
 
F6HAD said:
Hasn't your car just come out of the workshop following a complete engine rebuild? Was this problem present before it went in?

If not then I would investigate whether an earthing point has been missed somewhere when they've been reasembling the engine.
Yes, got it back on Tuesday, only noticed it yesterday though. Only problem is, I'm not sure if it was the engine rebuild or the messing around that the main dealer did. The battery was also replaced too. The problem wasn't there before I handed the car over, no.

I've visually checked fuses 5 and 6 on that list of fuses and they look fine, no breaks or evidence of blowing, although I've still not got hold of a circuit tester yet.
 
I would say a bad or missing earth then
 
Spoke to the engine centre and they've agreed its a possiblity that something could have gone awry when the engine was re-***embled and put back. I need to go back there for a 1000 mile service and they've agreed to check it free of charge.

One thing that I have noticed over the past few months is the surprising number of cars on the road with defective headlights, either dimmed or completely out on one side. It really is noticible and was wondering if this is down to crap quality bulbs, or just car manufacturers making it increasingly difficult to change a bulb (I must admit, the Accord wasn't a straight-forward job to change the bulbs out).
 
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