Have a confusing problem with the head light...please help!

Hey guys, I just bought my 2006 Tacoma SR5 about three months ago. I have a few problems with it but I got it about 5 grand under book so I was willing to work with it. One problem that has come up is my low beam head lights have stopped working while my high beams do work. I figured replace the bulb and I'm good but then I noticed that the high and low are the same bulb. I checked the low beam fuses and they are good. Any ideas on what can cause this and how to fix it? Thank you

 

It is a very rare case that I have seen, where both low beam filaments could be out at the same time. Probably will not hurt to buy 1 bulb, install and check to see if in fact that it is just the filaments that are out (single bulb dual filament) . Before doing so, check all wires to eliminate and grounding issues that may cause the low beam circuit to be malfunctioning. Keep us posted, and good luck!

 

X2

 

I was running Sylvanias in mine, and one night on the way home had 2 low beams blow at the same time, never heard of it before. Drove home with the high beams, and 2 new bulbs solved it.

 

Get a volt meter, turn on the headlights and check for current. Simple.

 

Ive had both low beam filaments blow at the same time 2 times now, shot happens especially when running anything other then a stock long life bulb

 

Fixed that for you.

 

lol, I was hoping someone would "fix" that.

 

low beam relay?

 

Thanks Jimmyh. I'm not an electrician so maybe I was technically wrong. Is current the flow of electricity? I hope at least I got that right. I was trying to point out that rather than guessing what part may or may not have failed it would be easier to connect a meter that measures voltage to the low beam side of the headlight plug, turn on the headlight switch and see if the meter detects anything. Would this work?

 

Hey thanks for all the advise. Replaced the bulbs this morning and it was just that simple. I feel stupid now but it threw me off that both did it at the same time. Thanks for all the help!

 

That's what we're all here for!

 

You were on the correct track.

Voltage could be compared to water pressure in a pipe.

Current could be compared to gallons per minute water flowing through the pipe.

You just cannot measure current with a voltmeter. You would need an ammeter to measure current.