Passenger low beam keeps dying

[cdyoung1985]

So a few months ago I replaced both headlights. Then maybe 2 weeks ago, the passenger side low beam died. Then the headlight assembly broke, so I picked up one of the old school sealed headlights that had the same plug. So I know it isn't that I touched the bulb, and also it isn't from a cracked assembly. The other day it died again. High beam works, and the drivers side high and low beam works. It's a 98 limited.

 

[MN4runnerman]

What kind of bulbs are you using? Have you replaced the headlight pigtails?

 

[TheDurk]

So a few months ago I replaced both headlights. Then maybe 2 weeks ago, the passenger side low beam died. Then the headlight assembly broke, so I picked up one of the old school sealed headlights that had the same plug. So I know it isn't that I touched the bulb, and also it isn't from a cracked assembly. The other day it died again. High beam works, and the drivers side high and low beam works. It's a 98 limited.

Still, always suspect the bulb first. Swap left and right and go from there.

If problem stays, get a test light and check for voltage at plug.

Check between common and low beam wire. Go by position, not color.

If bad, check between battery positive and low beam wire and battery negative and common wire to know which side is bad. I hope you are not Canadian--that changes things. Defect is probably on low beam side not providing ground since the highs work. Inspect plug and wire. If all good, we have to move on to the stalk switch--your probable point of fail here.

Do highs stay on or is headlight totally dead on low?

 

[cdyoung1985]

Still, always suspect the bulb first. Swap left and right and go from there.

If problem stays, get a test light and check for voltage at plug.

Check between common and low beam wire. Go by position, not color.

If bad, check between battery positive and low beam wire and battery negative and common wire to know which side is bad. I hope you are not Canadian--that changes things. Defect is probably on low beam side not providing ground since the highs work. Inspect plug and wire. If all good, we have to move on to the stalk switch--your probable point of fail here.

Do highs stay on or is headlight totally dead on low?

Swapped lights the first time, low beam didn't work on drivers, did on passengers, swapped them back, and replaced with a universal sealed unit, happened again only a few weeks later. I'll have to get a multi meter and check voltages, but I know it's got power, being that it worked with three other bulb...

 

[TheDurk]

Swapped lights the first time, low beam didn't work on drivers, did on passengers, swapped them back, and replaced with a universal sealed unit, happened again only a few weeks later. I'll have to get a multi meter and check voltages, but I know it's got power, being that it worked with three other bulb...

So, you know it's not the bulb 'cuz you swapped it, and because it's worked with other bulbs, you know it's not anything else? Not sure how I can help you, then...

 

[phattyduck]

Halogen bulbs wear out when turning on and turning off. While off they don't wear out (obviously) and while on at full brightness, the re-deposit filament material on the filament and 'self-heal' for the most part. In between (heating up, cooling off, or running at low voltage) filament material can evaporate and be deposited on the bulb glass.

If you have a intermittent bad connection, it can cause bulbs to burn out MUCH faster than they would otherwise. Hard to find, but that may be the cause.

-Charlie