My passenger headlight is intermittent, acting really weird!

When I first start the car both lights work fine for about a minute, then the pass. side cuts out. But the highbeam still works fine and sometimes the low beam will come back on for a few seconds if I just flick the highbeams.

I replaced the bulb to no avail., also inspected the wiring for signs of damage (but i'm no GM tech)

These symptoms happen every time I run it and its been going on for a couple months now.....I only drive her on weekends and only during the day so I just shut them off, but I sure would like to fix the problem.

 

Since you've replaced the bulb and checked the wiring, you may want to check the fuse block.
There are seperate fuses for both sides of the low and high beams. 4 in all.
You may have one that is not making a good connection in the block or it could be what they call "partial blown". Rare, but I've seen fuses with a crack in the element that would make contact, then quit working when it heated up. Cool back down and work again.

 

My first guess would be to replace the bulb but you already did that. My next would be to check and push down all the fuses and relays in the under hood fuse box. They are know to work loose over time. If that don't correct it try swapping the head lamp relays and see if the problem switches sides. Could be a faulty relay.

 

Firemangeorge you beat me to it.

 

Well I quickly checked the fuses by pushing down on them.....next i'll try swapping them around, cuz that didn't work.....i'll replace that right low beam fuse......thanks

 

Don't forget the relays.

 

Hey just so you guys know, nothing has worked.....there is only one relay that controls both low beams, I tried swapping it with the highbeam relay same part #21997403......I also tried a new fuse and nothing helps.

However I have noticed that once the car warms up the headlight in question starts working for the duration of the trip, it takes maybe 15-20 minutes to warm up.

Thankfully I don't drive much at night and during the day I turn off the automatic headlights (when I remember)

 

You know about DRLs, I assume.
What good does turning the auto off do?
I think there is be a relay for the DRLs.
Bad fuse boxes can cause intermittent problems.

 

Hey there,

I'm sorry to hear of this continuing concern with your HHR. If you would like, I will be glad to look further into this concern for you. Please feel free to send us a private message referencing this thread if any extra assistance is needed. Thank you.

Kristen A.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

Hey Don,
When I stated "auto" headlights I meant DRLs.....I turn them off so both headlights go out and it doesn't look funny, it also keeps people from flagging me down to tell me i've got a headlight out.

I emailed Kristen @ Chevrolet but because it's an electrical problem I didn't think the dealer would fix those, even tho my baby still only has 58k miles.