Mother in law has an 06 Hyundai Accent that has a funky headlight problem. The driver's side bulb is dim. Way dim, the turn signal bulb is brighter. The passenger side bulb isn't much better. I figured they were old bulbs, on their last leg so I replaced the worst one first. Same problem.
What would cause this? She's freakin out and is willing to trade it off, fearing she'll lose her headlights altogether.
Do you have a wiring diagram, and do you know how to perform a voltage drop test?
I am not a car electrical guy, but use a VOM at the bulbs to see what voltage is arriving. Should be 12.5 or so. If it's low, you have a problem inbound. Back up the circuit, see where you get full voltage. If you have voltage at the bulb, sounds like a bad ground. I get that right, guys?
way dim.. sounds like a ground problem
13.5 volts present with engine running. She said after I dropped the hood it got brighter. They looked okay today in daylight, I'll have to do more towards dark.
if you saw the lights getting brighter as you drop the hood.. definatly a bad ground
I didn't, that was her comment after she left.
In reply to BoostedBrandon: every Galant in the universe will eventually need headlight pigtails maybe that's the problem, burns up the harnesses.
Pigtails look awesome, not burnt or melted or anything
You're going to have to do a voltage drop on the ground side of the circuit. Put the + lead of your meter on the ground wire at the bulb socket (you may have to push a straight pin past the insulation to contact the connector, don't pierce the insulation. Then put the negative lead on a good ground (right on the batt - cable if at all possible). You should read 0.0 volts or very close to it.
If you can't do that, do a wiggle test. I'd be shocked if the output (light) doesn't change as you wiggle wires and harnesses.
Funky grounds will do strange things.
IIRC, the gound should be behind the headlight housing inside the fender. That weould be where I would look first.
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