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Hey all! Currently trying to suss through a headlight issue. Long story short, the low beams went out, but high beams were still good. They were last replaced by a mechanic about 9 years ago. This time, I decided to replace them myself, but that was NOT easy considering my gorilla hands. Here is my process:
• Took apart the front bumper, disconnected the battery, and removed the headlamp assemblies (both sides).
• I noticed the pigtail connector (female on the vehicle side, male on the headlight assembly side) on both L and R sides were both corroded and looked weathered and worn.
• The left side assembly (US driver side) spilled about a cup (230 ml) from one of the openings after the rubber cover was removed. Some of this spilled onto the pigtail connector after it had been disconnected.
• After allowing it to dry (both naturally and with the help of compressed air), I replaced all the light bulbs (I was wearing latex gloves as a precaution).
• I gave each corroded connector a little blast of compressed air to try and help clean the schmutz.
• Reconnected everything, reconnected the battery, and the low beams were still out. On top of this, only the passenger (right) side high beam was functional.
• I double checked, disconnected, and reconnected everything. Still no luck.
• Double checked the fuses (interior near the left side door) and confirmed hey were all good.
"Eyebrow" lights are good. Turn indicators are good. Side markers are good. Fog lights are good.
My current theory is that the pigtail connectors may be the cause. I am able to find the female connectors online, but the male connectors, (photo attached) are the current issue.
I have checked the "Help - I need a headlight connector", and "Headlight wiring plug" threads (the latter of which references this part, but it is unresolved and closed for comments), and think I've donemy due diligence, but haven't been able to see if there is a source for this part. Does anybody happen to know where I can source/purchase these? My next step may be going on a salvage yard tour to see if I can get them that way. Once again, photo of the needed part attached for reference. Thank you!
Hey all! Currently trying to suss through a headlight issue. Long story short, the low beams went out, but high beams were still good. They were last replaced by a mechanic about 9 years ago. This time, I decided to replace them myself, but that was NOT easy considering my gorilla hands. Here is my process:
• Took apart the front bumper, disconnected the battery, and removed the headlamp assemblies (both sides).
• I noticed the pigtail connector (female on the vehicle side, male on the headlight assembly side) on both L and R sides were both corroded and looked weathered and worn.
• The left side assembly (US driver side) spilled about a cup (230 ml) from one of the openings after the rubber cover was removed. Some of this spilled onto the pigtail connector after it had been disconnected.
• After allowing it to dry (both naturally and with the help of compressed air), I replaced all the light bulbs (I was wearing latex gloves as a precaution).
• I gave each corroded connector a little blast of compressed air to try and help clean the schmutz.
• Reconnected everything, reconnected the battery, and the low beams were still out. On top of this, only the passenger (right) side high beam was functional.
• I double checked, disconnected, and reconnected everything. Still no luck.
• Double checked the fuses (interior near the left side door) and confirmed hey were all good.
"Eyebrow" lights are good. Turn indicators are good. Side markers are good. Fog lights are good.
My current theory is that the pigtail connectors may be the cause. I am able to find the female connectors online, but the male connectors, (photo attached) are the current issue.
I have checked the "Help - I need a headlight connector", and "Headlight wiring plug" threads (the latter of which references this part, but it is unresolved and closed for comments), and think I've donemy due diligence, but haven't been able to see if there is a source for this part. Does anybody happen to know where I can source/purchase these? My next step may be going on a salvage yard tour to see if I can get them that way. Once again, photo of the needed part attached for reference. Thank you!
You might try Rob @NeedsWings needswings.com, e bay lkqonline.com or post a wanted in the market place on the forum.
If you're on face book you might want to post it on that site as well.
Good luck!
Hey all! Currently trying to suss through a headlight issue. Long story short, the low beams went out, but high beams were still good. They were last replaced by a mechanic about 9 years ago. This time, I decided to replace them myself, but that was NOT easy considering my gorilla hands. Here is my process:
• Took apart the front bumper, disconnected the battery, and removed the headlamp assemblies (both sides).
• I noticed the pigtail connector (female on the vehicle side, male on the headlight assembly side) on both L and R sides were both corroded and looked weathered and worn.
• The left side assembly (US driver side) spilled about a cup (230 ml) from one of the openings after the rubber cover was removed. Some of this spilled onto the pigtail connector after it had been disconnected.
• After allowing it to dry (both naturally and with the help of compressed air), I replaced all the light bulbs (I was wearing latex gloves as a precaution).
• I gave each corroded connector a little blast of compressed air to try and help clean the schmutz.
• Reconnected everything, reconnected the battery, and the low beams were still out. On top of this, only the passenger (right) side high beam was functional.
• I double checked, disconnected, and reconnected everything. Still no luck.
• Double checked the fuses (interior near the left side door) and confirmed hey were all good.
"Eyebrow" lights are good. Turn indicators are good. Side markers are good. Fog lights are good.
My current theory is that the pigtail connectors may be the cause. I am able to find the female connectors online, but the male connectors, (photo attached) are the current issue.
I have checked the "Help - I need a headlight connector", and "Headlight wiring plug" threads (the latter of which references this part, but it is unresolved and closed for comments), and think I've donemy due diligence, but haven't been able to see if there is a source for this part. Does anybody happen to know where I can source/purchase these? My next step may be going on a salvage yard tour to see if I can get them that way. Once again, photo of the needed part attached for reference. Thank you!
@Nelson G Thank you for these links! Unfortunately, I'm not seeing it here. FORTUNATELY, you have provided an AMAZING resource for the assorted bits and bobs I'm seeing need to be replaced, so SUPER thanks for this!
@M60A3Driver I can't believe I forgot about @NeedsWings Not seeing it here, but you and @Nelson G have helped provide some great resources for parts. Thank you!
Thinking outside the box...
Theoretically, would I be able to take a pigtail/connector from a different vehicle (something that's more readily available) and use it to replace the fried out existing ones? I saw this on
Thinking outside the box...
Theoretically, would I be able to take a pigtail/connector from a different vehicle (something that's more readily available) and use it to replace the fried out existing ones? I saw this on Amazon (photo also attached), and see it's SIMILAR, although not exact. Wondering if careful splicing and reconnecting could be the solution here. Thanks!
I don't see why that wouldn't work. As long as it's spliced correctly. They are both 6 pin connectors.
I don't see why that wouldn't work. As long as it's spliced correctly. They are both 6 pin connectors.
Thanks for the input. I've sourced a "de-pinning" kit and am going to try the following:
1. Remove/clean/reinsert the existing pins and try that method. If not...
2. Remove/clean the existing pins and insert them into the new connectors/housings. If not...
3. Splice the new connectors/housings.
It's always good to have a contingency, right? I'll make sure to update my results here. Thanks!
Thanks for the input. I've sourced a "de-pinning" kit and am going to try the following:
1. Remove/clean/reinsert the existing pins and try that method. If not...
2. Remove/clean the existing pins and insert them into the new connectors/housings. If not...
3. Splice the new connectors/housings.
It's always good to have a contingency, right? I'll make sure to update my results here. Thanks!
UPDATE
Good news and bad news:
The good news is that I was able to find matching female connectors and successfully spliced those into place.
The bad news is that the male connector doesn't pop out, but rather only pops in. I managed to clean the pins with a combination DeOxit and 800 grit sandpaper maneuvered with tweezers. I still have a low beam out on the driver side (as opposed to only having the passenger side high beam being the only functional light), so small victory.
I think it's time to call in a professional, as I feel I have done everything I can on my end. I suspect the fact that the driver side assembly had about a cup of water (I noticed it when I initially pulled the assembly just to replace the headlight bulbs) may have something to do with the issue. I'll likely end up in a situation where I'll have to weigh the price of an auto electric shop fixing it, or sourcing a used headlight assembly.
Thanks for all your input and coming along this adventure!
Hey all! Currently trying to suss through a headlight issue. Long story short, the low beams went out, but high beams were still good. They were last replaced by a mechanic about 9 years ago. This time, I decided to replace them myself, but that was NOT easy considering my gorilla hands. Here is my process:
• Took apart the front bumper, disconnected the battery, and removed the headlamp assemblies (both sides).
• I noticed the pigtail connector (female on the vehicle side, male on the headlight assembly side) on both L and R sides were both corroded and looked weathered and worn.
• The left side assembly (US driver side) spilled about a cup (230 ml) from one of the openings after the rubber cover was removed. Some of this spilled onto the pigtail connector after it had been disconnected.
• After allowing it to dry (both naturally and with the help of compressed air), I replaced all the light bulbs (I was wearing latex gloves as a precaution).
• I gave each corroded connector a little blast of compressed air to try and help clean the schmutz.
• Reconnected everything, reconnected the battery, and the low beams were still out. On top of this, only the passenger (right) side high beam was functional.
• I double checked, disconnected, and reconnected everything. Still no luck.
• Double checked the fuses (interior near the left side door) and confirmed hey were all good.
"Eyebrow" lights are good. Turn indicators are good. Side markers are good. Fog lights are good.
My current theory is that the pigtail connectors may be the cause. I am able to find the female connectors online, but the male connectors, (photo attached) are the current issue.
I have checked the "Help - I need a headlight connector", and "Headlight wiring plug" threads (the latter of which references this part, but it is unresolved and closed for comments), and think I've donemy due diligence, but haven't been able to see if there is a source for this part. Does anybody happen to know where I can source/purchase these? My next step may be going on a salvage yard tour to see if I can get them that way. Once again, photo of the needed part attached for reference. Thank you!
Thank you! I was able to source the female pigtails online; the proper male connectors seem to be the white whale. Problem is 90% solved, though the left side low beam is still out (everything else works perfectly). Might have to enlist the help of a professional, as much as I hate to do that). Thanks again!
Male Headlight Connector?
