2002 Forester headlights not working

[ledgerbird95]

So I just picked up my very first Subaru.  Its a 2002 Forester L.  

 

Of course the jerk who sold it to me forgot to mention that the headlights don't work.  I replaced the bulbs with new ones, and still nothing. 

 

If I "fiddle" with the drivers side bulb connector I can get both of the headlights to come on, but they are very dim.  

 

Oh, and the passenger brights come on... WTF?!?

 

 

I checked the ground cleaned it off and it didn't change anything, also I squirted some dielectric grease one the headlight connectors because they're a bit corroded, drivers side is actually burnt a little bit too.  

 

I'm assuming the problem is bad three prong female connectors, but i'm confused on why both headlights turn on very dimly when I fiddle with the drivers side connector.  

 

Any tips/advice would be much appreciated!  Thanks in advance. 

[forester2002s]

I think that you're on the right track to check grounds.

Whenever strange things happen to lights, especially 'dim' lights, it's quite often due to faulty grounding.

[nipper]

I would replace both pigtails to start with, as they are known weak spots in subarus. 

 

Electrisity does strange thins. The load is after the switching source (in this case a relay). Without a wiring diagram cant tell of the weirdness off the top of my head.

[Fairtax4me]

Id have to look it up to be sure but that car should have the ground side switched via the hi/lo dimmer switch. Did you clean the ground for the switch under the column?

 

You've checked all the fuses?

[nipper]

Id have to look it up to be sure but that car should have the ground side switched via the hi/lo dimmer switch. Did you clean the ground for the switch under the column?

 

You've checked all the fuses?

 Damn I am rusty, your right. I blame allergy pills.