head lights out

[jomamma1]

Ok, here is the situation. 2008 GS. Both headlights quit at same time. I first checked the fuse. OK. Next I checked the headlight relay and swapped with other relay. OK. I finally managed to get one of the bulbs out and it appears to have an intact filament. I don't have a meter here to check continuity, but will take it to work tomorrow to check.

Is there anything else I should look for?

Thanks in advance

Joe in Modesto

 

[Dwanton]

Check all the fuses - I have seen it in other vehicles .

Also - the bulbs may appear to be good , even when they are not .

Make sure your grounds are good too .

 

[jomamma1]

schematics

One other question. Is there a schematic or wiring diagram available on the site somewhere?

Joe in Modesto

 

[Smokinspyder]

Hows about at the connector itself where it plugs into the bulb.... I know you said you dont have a meter so its kind of hard to test that .

 

[jomamma1]

Hey smokinspyder,
I have a meter at home somewhere, just couldn't locate it last night. I am taking my work meter (an old Fluke 87) home tonight and see what I can find. I rang out the one bulb I took out and it is ok. I'll check socket tonight. My daughter wants to upgrade to HID anyway, but can't right now. I really need a wiring diagram to know where to look. I mean like "does the oil pressure go to a relay to keep the lights off until engine is done cranking?". I found a CDROM service manual on ebay for $10.99. Not sure how legal it is (copy rights and all) but I might have to order that.

Thanks again to all who responded. Still open to other suggestions if anyone wants to jump in.

Joe in Modesto

 

[NancysToy]

Hey smokinspyder,
I have a meter at home somewhere, just couldn't locate it last night. I am taking my work meter (an old Fluke 87) home tonight and see what I can find. I rang out the one bulb I took out and it is ok. I'll check socket tonight. My daughter wants to upgrade to HID anyway, but can't right now. I really need a wiring diagram to know where to look. I mean like "does the oil pressure go to a relay to keep the lights off until engine is done cranking?". I found a CDROM service manual on ebay for $10.99. Not sure how legal it is (copy rights and all) but I might have to order that.

Thanks again to all who responded. Still open to other suggestions if anyone wants to jump in.

Joe in Modesto

The lights stay off until the engine starts.

 

[Smokinspyder]

The lights stay off until the engine starts.

totally, but assuming we all know that though sometimes some of us forget that "cough cough" installing the HID's a certain moron forgot to crank the engine over to make sure all was good. OHHH wait that was me after a LONG 2 weeks at work i turned the key and forgot the lights come on when running LOL HA HA . but assuming the fuse is good and the relay is good power at the connector " should be good" . Do they have voltage ?

 

[jomamma1]

head lamps again

I didn't know weather to start a new post or continue so here I go. Same 2008 GS. Trying to replace head lamps. I got the right side out after much cursing and loss of skin on my hands. Now I'm trying to get it back. With the help of an inspection mirror, I can see the little latch thingies (really, it's a technical term) that the lamp holder must twist under, but I can't for the life of me get the lamp holder to line up. If I had a picture showing how this goes in it would be a great help. So far I have had no luck at holding the lamp in place while using the inspection mirror to see where I'm at and at the same time rotate the lamp holder.

Anyone out there have any pictures, drawings, or any other type of assistance?

Joe in Modesto

 

[hecoon]

i have had to have 7 bulbs replaced ina little over 4 1/2 years and 72k miles.
seems a little excessive to me also have had to replace 2 rear bulbs

my buddy is a back yard mech and i give him $20 and he's happy
better than the $95 the stealership charged me for the first one plus $18 for the bulb.

 

[BajaRon]

The suspicioius thing is that both lights went out at the same time. That is almost always an electical issue. If you've installed HID's you'll have fuses specific to the lighting system separate from the Spyder wiring.

 

[jomamma1]

follow up

Besides the fact that both lights went out at the same time, my big issue was first getting the lamps out to test or replace, and that done, re-install the lamps. the Spyder belongs to my daughter. She decided to take it to the dealer to solve the problem. I wanted to put the lamps back in, re-install the dash gauge, and then let her take it to the dealer. A couple of days ago, I tried to get the lamp in for the better part of 3 hours. It was in the 90's and my driveway was in full shade. I gave up (my hands aren't that large but I just couldn't figure it out) and went to my computer with an icy cold Blue Moon in my hands to search for help. I found lot's of info agreeing with my observation that it was a real bear to get back in, but nothing on technique or tricks to accomplish the act.

After finding nothing of help on the "net", I walked back out to my driveway to try again. This time I approached the Spyder head on, straddled the frunk box, leaned over the windshield, grabbed the lamp holder placed it in the hole, and twisted. It went in so easy I couldn't believe it. I wiggled everything to make sure it was in. I got the key from my daughter to try and start it (it had been sitting for a few weeks without a battery maintainer connected). The Spyder started without a problem and when I walked back to the house to tell my daughter, I looked back and found that both head lamps were now burning. I figured that called for another Blue Moon beer and that is the end of my story.

Joe in Modesto

 

[Tin Can]

That's a great Blue Moon story....

 

[hecoon]

That's a great Blue Moon story....

have one for me too.

i was eating lunch with my mech/buddy and he told me that the bulbs are only 1 filament and that the voltage has to be reduced for the low beams.
he said a lower voltage will require less power but it might tend to be hotter and then cause the bulb to burn out faster
i dont know why they wouldnt use a 2 filament bulb like a car headlight.

 

[NancysToy]

have one for me too.

i was eating lunch with my mech/buddy and he told me that the bulbs are only 1 filament and that the voltage has to be reduced for the low beams.
he said a lower voltage will require less power but it might tend to be hotter and then cause the bulb to burn out faster
i dont know why they wouldnt use a 2 filament bulb like a car headlight.

Your buddy is mistaken. The headlight bulbs are one filament, but the voltage is never reduced. Low beak is achieved (in North America) by lowering a shutter over the lens, covering the top half of the beam.

 

[rogerb]

My headlights went out one at Spyderfest and the other on my way to Pigeon Forge after Spyderfest. We checked everything and found that the blades in the connectors didn't have a good solid connection. We cleaned them up and bent them a little which gave them a more solid connection. Have not had any problems since. :dontknow:

 

[Tierhog]

Joe.... Modesto, Ca?