Low beams not working
-
Ctzn_snips85
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2015 2:25 pm
So, to start off I've had to change my low beam lights 4 times since I've owned the vehicle. Two times this year alone. Yesterday when I started my car neither low beam light was functioning. DRL's working, and high beams as well. I replaced fuses, relays, and even put in new bulbs.... I checked for loose wires, but couldn't find anything. Any help would be appreciated.
Check the harnesses. Make sure they aren't damaged by heat or corrosion. Double-check the fuses. For both to be out together strongly indicates a fuse issue for the low beams. Not sure about the Kizashi specifically, but other cars have fuses just for low beam headlights.
Once you resolve the issue, my suggestion is to bid halogen bulbs in the low beams good riddance and get yourself an HID kit. I have one and strongly recommend it. HID bulbs last much longer than halogen bulbs while outputting about 300% more light. The only downside is price and the labor to install them but it's well worth it once you get everything done. After all, the Kizashi requires the bumper to come off to replace some of the bulbs so installing an HID kit is going to save you some time from having to repeat that process more. HID kits can have their own set of problems, but they are generally more reliable than halogen bulbs, especially given the pain to replace them in the Kizashi.
There are LED conversion kits out now too, but I'd be wary of their performance in halogen projector lens. My experience with LED bulbs is that they don't reflect their light too well to cast out light in housings not designed for them.
Once you resolve the issue, my suggestion is to bid halogen bulbs in the low beams good riddance and get yourself an HID kit. I have one and strongly recommend it. HID bulbs last much longer than halogen bulbs while outputting about 300% more light. The only downside is price and the labor to install them but it's well worth it once you get everything done. After all, the Kizashi requires the bumper to come off to replace some of the bulbs so installing an HID kit is going to save you some time from having to repeat that process more. HID kits can have their own set of problems, but they are generally more reliable than halogen bulbs, especially given the pain to replace them in the Kizashi.
There are LED conversion kits out now too, but I'd be wary of their performance in halogen projector lens. My experience with LED bulbs is that they don't reflect their light too well to cast out light in housings not designed for them.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
SamirD, another member here, maintains that turning off the ignition before turning off the headlights leads to them burning out prematurely. I've not given that much credence in the past, but your extreme case may give verification. Do you forget the headlights and then be reminded by the chime when you open the door to get out?
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
Should be a convenience store, not a government agency
Should be a convenience store, not a government agency
You're not touching the bulbs with your bare fingers are you when installing?
Ron
2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded
)
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top (
sold)
2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded
) 1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top (
sold)