Recently found the passenger side headlight was dim. Upon inspection, found the wiring harness melted (which appears to be a common problem). If I wiggled the harness, the light would get brighter. I replaced the harness with an after market one. Headlight still dim, normal and brights. Bulb is bright in driver side harness, other bulb dim as well when inserted in passenger side. Volts check out ok. My only thought is the wire that melted needs to be taken back further, hopefully not replaced. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

When you say you "found the wiring harness melted" do you mean the plastic socket that holds the lamp and fits into the back of the headlight reflector unit? Did the aftermarket replacement come with wire pigtails? Did you match them up properly to the old wiring and make good solder connections?

Correct, the plastic socket that plugs into the headlight was metled. I double checked and all wires are correct. Don't have the capability to make solder connections, have butt spliced them, but getting good volt reading. The light was dim with the old melted plug, so not sure if it's related to the connections to the new harness. But also not sure where to go from here.

The fuse for that bulb is blown. Headlight is lighting via a power backfeed from the other side. caracterisic of these cars lighting systems.

 

Replace the fuse for that side and it will be bright again.

It was the fuse. Thanks for the help.

Congrats, phyllys14. Aren't simple fixes a great feeling? And good catch, Gloyale--thanks!

Recently found the passenger side hid headlights was dim. Upon inspection, found the wiring harness melted (which appears to be a common problem). If I wiggled the harness, the light would get brighter. I replaced the harness with an after market one. Headlight still dim, normal and brights. Bulb is bright in driver side harness, other bulb dim as well when inserted in passenger side. Volts check out ok. My only thought is the wire that melted needs to be taken back further, hopefully not replaced. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

I figured it would be the fuse since I had the same problem lol.

I hit bumps and sometimes passenger side gets real dim, where is this fuse at ? 1999 imprez L