Headlights Out, Fuses OK, High Beams and Everything Else Works...What Gives?

[mkuehn]

Hey all, wondering if you can offer some pointers before tomorrow morning's commute.

My wife came home in my 03 Protege LX (67K mi) tonight, and said my headlights don't work. Sure enough, they don't. High beams work just fine, as do parking lights, turn signals, hazards, etc. The only thing NOT working are the headlights (low beams). I checked fuses 20 & 21 under the hood (marked as for the headlights in the owner's manual), and they look absolutely perfect to me. And seeing as everything else electrical on the car works, I'm lead to believe that the 100 amp main fuse under the hood is OK, too. I didn't check any fuses inside the car in the panel by the driver's door.

Now I'm fairly certain the headlights were working this morning when I drove to work...any ideas as to what I could check before I leave for work with my high beams on all the way there tomorrow morning?

My dad said it's possible (but improbable) that both low beam lamps burned out on the same day, and I kind of have to agree with him.

Thanks, I appreciate it.
Matthew

 

[otmsp]

maybe he is right but check ur light sw...

 

[BondoBob]

Buy one bulb for the headlight and see if it lights...if it does, march back into the store and buy another one to match.

It is unusual, but not impossible for both low beam filaments to die at the same time.

(If replacing the bulb doesn't work, then start screwing with switches, etc.)

Bob

 

[njaremka]

here's vote number two for the bulbs - i have had BOTH of my low beams go out on me quite a few times before.

 

[mkuehn]

Really! OK, guys, I'll check out the bulbs.

Thanks!

 

[mickeyreategui]

yeah mine have gone out a the same time to, but they were aftermarket bulbs.

 

[P-Funk!]

...and you might have had one out for awhile - until the other blew out. Another vote for bulbs. You could remove and inspect - you will see a broken filament....

 

[mkuehn]

OK, you guys all win. Both bulbs had low beam issues. One looked like someone had splashed solder on the filament, but it was otherwise intact, and the other bulb, the filament was completely detached, and a piece of the glass base inside the bulb had broken off. Neither of which was conducive to optimal bulb performance. ;-)

I replaced both bulbs today, and am happy to report 100% success. Although it was cold as hell outside today; -8F when I was out there to replace the bulbs. I'm glad it was a quick project.

Thanks for your quick responses.
Matthew