Hello all,

I tried searching through the threads if I can find anything related to my problem with the headlights but couldn't find anything.
I have a really interesting problem and I have no idea where to even look for a solution. I have tried several workshops, but as I live in Germany none of them even want to look at the car (one did and told me 5 minutes later to basically f*ck off).
So about 3 weeks ago the left headlight stopped working. I did nothing to the car, stopped it 15 minutes before and when I started it again it just didn't work anymore. Its not the bulb, I wish it was that easy. Also high beam works fine on both sides, its only the left normal light.
When I open the car with the remote the lights come on normal, both work fine (hence I know its not the bulb itself), but as soon as I start the engine the left one refuses to work. Even if I change it from auto to fixed on, it doesn't work. I don't even understand how this can be as it does get power from the battery since its on when opening the car. Its really annoying and dangerous that either I have to drive with the foglights (probably illegal too), or I can't see anything while driving at night.

Could someone point me in any direction as to what cables to check? Since I have no other option I will probably have to look at it myslef, I am guessing something is loose but then still how does it work when opening the car?
Anyway, does anyobody have an idea where and what to check?

Thanks in andvance

 

If I'm not mistaken the flash during unlock is high beams, so it could still be the bulb that is at fault.

 

Hi,
No its not a flash, when I open the car they are steady on for like 10 seconds so I can see its the exact same bulb thats on, that is not on as soon as I start the engine.

 

Check the fuses and relays in the under hood fuse panel

 

Yes, it's either fuse #65(driver side low beam) or it's the bulb. Probably the bulb.

 

Most likely the bulb. Seen it numerous times on this forum where people overlook the bulb being burned out.

FYI. The OP didn’t say what year this HHR is. Their bio shows it to be a 2006. European lighting I guess ???
The 06 American version did not have headlights as the DRL’s. It used the yellow front turn signal lights.
So. Does the European version use headlights as DRL’s ?

 

Hi,

Its a 2006 USA import, so whatever the 2006 US model had, its the same here (with the exception of an additional 2 fog lights at the back there were installed).
I really wish it was the bulb but I am standing in front of the car, I open it with the remote and both headlights light up for about 10 seconds, those aren't the high beams, just the normal headlights. I can see that the same bulb that works then and there doesn't work as soon as I turn on the engine. I will try to check the fuse but also don't really understand how the fuse could cause this if it works when I open the car.

But now that everyone is saying, I will try to change the bulb as I did notice before it stopped working that I did not see much difference between normal and high beam at night, so could indeed be that what lights up when I open the car are the high beams. Should they have a separate bulb? That works perfectly fine.

 

There's only 1 bulb in each headlight. Well, plus the turn signal bulb.

 

Makes sense as theres nothing else visible. Well anyway I ordered new bulb along with an oil filter and will check as soon as they arrive.
Is it hard to get to the bulb? I just took a quick look before but didn't seem like theres any easy way without removing the whole lamp.

 

It’s pretty easy, have a look