This is a wierd one for m and I have already done a complete search on this website as well as Google.

My problem started by getting pulled over for a headlight being out. I got out to verify with the officer there and, sure enough, my drivers side headlight was out. I was initially thinking it was the typical socket having malfunctioned. After getting to the light and checking the socket and H13 bulb, I could find no issue but not before I had gotten two pigtails and new bulbs.

I had been driving around hoping I wouldn't get pulled over again, I noticed something strange occurring, when my car, while running, the length of the auto shutoff for the lights, would time down and when it went to zero, my headlight turned off. I turned the vehicle off and then restarted it, again, that auto shutoff time clicked away and when it reached zero, my drivers side headlight, not the passenger, would shut off.

Any of you all experienced this? Anyone know the fix? Any help, or guidance, is greatly appreciated.

 

Double check the fuses and relays under the hood fuse box , make sure the 4 bolts are tight, the fuses and relays are firmly seated. I had a similar issue , turned out to be the low beam relay driver side.

 

Is this a 2006? Do you have fog lights?
Did you consider a blown or aging element, loose bulb?
Why do the lights auto shutoff when the engine is running? They should turn on when the ambient light dims then off when it brightens or several seconds after the key is removed

 

Don. 1st post he states he got new pigtails and bulbs.

 

I’m also thinking there could be a ground issue

 

2006 hhr

 

Thanks guys. I do have fog lamps and it is a 2006 and the fuses were the first thing I checked. Kinda odd to have so many fuses but they were all good to go, they work normally. I do have new pigtails and bulbs. After thinking it was a timing thing, I set for an hour and there was no rhythm as i had previously though so I am just going ot replace the pigtails and bulbs. Before i had only timed the bulb going out 2 times and assumed. We all know what that does. Again, thanks for all of y'alls input.

Oh, i also checked the ambient sensor as well but, if it were bad, I would think both headlight bulbs would turn off at the same time, right?

 

@firemangeorge Thanks for that. I have AllData and Mitchells both

 

You checked fuses , did you tighten those four bolts? Check the relays?

 

@Oldblue...bolts? I did everything else but at lose on bolts, brother