Maintenance and Upkeep Discussion HHR maintenance tips ranging from oil change intervals to brake pads and everything in between.

Passenger side bulb out, but high beam works

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 15, 2017 | 01:07 PM
  #1  
Jpak88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: 12-30-2016
Posts: 136
From: Cobleskill, NY
Passenger side bulb out, but high beam works

So last night we got three feet of snow. When I turned my car on to warm it up, I noticed my passenger side bulb wasn't working... However, when I unlock the car with the fob, and also when I turn in the high beams, the bulb works. Just the regular low beam on that bulb is not working.

I can't replace t​​​​​he bulb with all this snow on the ground, so I unfortunately made an appointment with the dealership tomorrow morning... I'm hoping it's just the bulb. I did just replace the drivers side about a month or so ago.

Any ​​​​insight to what else it could be?
Old Mar 15, 2017 | 01:18 PM
  #2  
whopper's Avatar
Platinum Member
 
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,043
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
When you unlock the car with the fob, it's the high beams that flash.

Most probably cause is the low beam is burn out, and might well be an example of why it is best to replace both bulbs when that other one burn out a month or so ago.

Other possible causes - bad connection at headlight, wiring problems etc..
Old Mar 15, 2017 | 01:22 PM
  #3  
Jpak88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: 12-30-2016
Posts: 136
From: Cobleskill, NY
Originally Posted by whopper
When you unlock the car with the fob, it's the high beams that flash.

Most probably cause is the low beam is burn out, and might well be an example of why it is best to replace both bulbs when that other one burn out a month or so ago.

Other possible causes - bad connection at headlight, wiring problems etc..
The high beams with the fob is what my friend suggested... I KNEW I should have replaced both. It was a funny story why I didn't. Well I mean, I only bought one, but I though hmm maybe I'll go back and get another... But when I got the old bulb out (after scratching my arm up getting under the wheel), the red rubber ring of the old bulb stuck in the hole. So for like 15 minutes I was trying to push another bulb against the old red ring and getting annoyed that it wasn't working. By the time I figured it out I was like GOOD, I'M DONE.
Old Mar 15, 2017 | 01:32 PM
  #4  
whopper's Avatar
Platinum Member
 
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,043
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Yeah that problem with the red o-ring sticking in the receptacle is a problem a few owners have encountered. And being where it is located behind that shield, it's a bit difficult to lay eyes on the situation.
Old Mar 15, 2017 | 01:33 PM
  #5  
RJ_RS_SS_350's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: 05-01-2014
Posts: 8,512
From: California
Check fuse #66, underhood.
Old Mar 15, 2017 | 01:34 PM
  #6  
Oldblue's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,083
From: Welland,Ont Canada
Yep, always replace the headlight bulbs in pairs, they get lonesome and burn out in pairs , oh and their sold in pairs.
I believe we've all changed just one and seen, that wasn't a great idea!
The weather is turning, its going warm up and melt next week!
Old Mar 15, 2017 | 02:50 PM
  #7  
Jpak88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: 12-30-2016
Posts: 136
From: Cobleskill, NY
My main curiosity is how can a dual bulb burn out only on one function like that? What's making the highbeam work, while the low isnt?
Old Mar 15, 2017 | 02:58 PM
  #8  
Oldblue's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,083
From: Welland,Ont Canada
The filaments are separate, the low one burnt out.

Old Mar 15, 2017 | 02:58 PM
  #9  
Jpak88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: 12-30-2016
Posts: 136
From: Cobleskill, NY
Originally Posted by RJ_RS_SS_350
Check fuse #66, underhood.
66 is all good, unfortunately :/ that would've been great.
Old Mar 15, 2017 | 03:05 PM
  #10  
Jpak88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: 12-30-2016
Posts: 136
From: Cobleskill, NY
Originally Posted by Oldblue
The filaments are separate, the low one burnt out.

That is REALLY COOL to see, thank you! Man, now if someone just had a garage I could use for like an hour, I wouldn't have to take it somewhere tomorrow.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:38 PM.