One dim headlamp
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One dim headlamp
I have a 2006 F150. I noticed today the passenger headlamp is dimmer than the driver's side. I spoke to dealer and did online research on this forum and everything is leading me to investigate a grounding problem or corroded connection.
I took a look at the headlamp connect and did not see any corrosion. I noticed the headlamp wires travel back into the firewall bundled together with other wires all wrapped with electric tape and plastic tubing.
Can someone walk me through the best way to trouble shoot this? I plan to pull the plug, clean it and spray with a anti-corrosive. But do I need to unwrap all of the wires (not sure if I will ever get them wrapped up ler and protected the way they are now.
I could not see where this bundle was grounded. If anyone knows the location of this ground connection - that would be very helpful.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
I took a look at the headlamp connect and did not see any corrosion. I noticed the headlamp wires travel back into the firewall bundled together with other wires all wrapped with electric tape and plastic tubing.
Can someone walk me through the best way to trouble shoot this? I plan to pull the plug, clean it and spray with a anti-corrosive. But do I need to unwrap all of the wires (not sure if I will ever get them wrapped up ler and protected the way they are now.
I could not see where this bundle was grounded. If anyone knows the location of this ground connection - that would be very helpful.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
You need to get a meter. The next problem is finding a way to measure the voltage on the wires with the lamp plugged in. Probing the plug with the meter and it not being plugged into the light will tell you nothing, you will get false readings. If you can pull the lamp up were you can get to it, and back probe the connector with the bulb plugged it, that may work.
One wire will be ground, the other two are high beam and low beam. Get it going in the dim mode, put the meter on the ground wire at the plug, and probe the other two terminals. One should be near zero and if the lamp is dim, the other will have something less than 12v on it.
Once you get that, leave the + probe on the wire giving you less than 12v, and move the negative meter lead off the ground wire at the socket, and move it over and touch the negative battery terminal. If the voltage jumps up to 12v, then you do have a ground problem to the lamp.
One wire will be ground, the other two are high beam and low beam. Get it going in the dim mode, put the meter on the ground wire at the plug, and probe the other two terminals. One should be near zero and if the lamp is dim, the other will have something less than 12v on it.
Once you get that, leave the + probe on the wire giving you less than 12v, and move the negative meter lead off the ground wire at the socket, and move it over and touch the negative battery terminal. If the voltage jumps up to 12v, then you do have a ground problem to the lamp.
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Bill in Arizona
Been there done that! Found out there is a fuse in the main panel for each individual Headlamp. In my case, one fuse was missing completely! Hint for this issue: the high beam indicator on the dash board was not working either. Replaced the missing fuse and all worked just fine. Used the owners manual to identify the correct fuse. dim light = ground problem
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Ricache
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Jul 30, 2010 11:54 AM
