Is it just a bulb, or...?

The low bean is out but the high beam works. Is it just the bulb or is it some other bit of trouble? Yeah, I know, rookie question, but I just noticed this and it's -10 with wind and snow outside...so I thought, "I'll choose lazy, and ask here, over going under the hood"!

thanks

 

Switch the driver side bulb with the passenger side bulb. If the defect follows the bulb, it’s the bulb. If not you probably have other issues.

 

go buy another 2 bulbs...and change them

 

Quit being lazy, go pop your hood, take out the bulb and you should be able to clearly see if the filament is broken or not.

It literally will take 5 minutes and you will have the satisfaction of doing something yourself.

High beams working, low beams not, it's most likely your bulb, very common symptoms.

 

At -10 and snow, if I didn't have to go anywhere, I wouldn't do it either!

We are supposed to be near 0* this weekend, so I had to break out the wool socks today.

OK 0*c, not f. And 38* is 'near' 32*, right?

 

To answer your first question, yes, the bulbs have two filaments - one for low and one for high beam. It is very common for one to go before the other. So the most common failure point is a bulb, especially if it's been a while. That's also why it's best to change them in pairs because when one goes, the other is genrally no far behind.

Having swapped bulbs in my 2014 TRD Sport more times than I want to remember, I'd wait till warmer weather. The passenger side is pretty tight to get to even if you move the windshield washer tank. And even if you do, the retaining clip can be a PITA to unlock and relock.

On a cross country tip a few years ago in Colorado (where it was 15 degrees), I told my wife I was going to swap out a burned-out passenger side bulb. I'd done it so many times I figured I could do it in my sleep. Then I dropped the damn clip. 35 minutes later - with my teeth still chattering - I finally came back inside. Yea, wait till warmer weather.

 

It’s probably the build.

BUT….

Low and high beams use a different fuse.
Each light, Left and Right have their own fuse.
Check the fuse. it’s easy to check.
A lot easier than pulling the head light.

If the fuse is good. You’re going to have to pull the head light and check. I’d probably check the connector before I pulled the bulb. Because pulling the bulb kind of sucks. That stupid bolt and spring clip can wear on my nerves.