normal headlights wont turn on, brights will. 2003 Vibe AWD

[potatogod]

this is my first post on the site, just wanted to say thanks for your help ahead of time, whomever you may be!Vehicle: 2003 Vibe AWD; 100,000 adventurous miles, been over desert mountains in AZ, through snowdrifts in northern WI, and many places in between. Problem:Recently I discovered that my headlights do not turn on, automatically or manually.Troubleshooting:1. Headlights do not respond to the day/night sensor and do not turn on when I manually switch to 'lights on'.2. However, when I turn the brights on, they work.3. It has been pretty cold lately (between 15 and -15, consecutive days), no maintenance/shop work has been done within the past 2 months.4. I have replaced my lights myself before without any trouble but usually only one will go out at a time.My questions are, how can my normal headlights not work, while the brights turn on without trouble? I can certainly try new bulbs, but is there something else I might want to check out?Thanks again for the newb help!

[Sublimewind]

Hi and welcome to GenVibe...!!First order of business is swapping a bulb and see if you didn't just blow both lowbeams at the same time... As odd as it sounds, i've had it happen to me in the past.. not on my Vibe but a POS Ford "exploder" lol... You should also consider some dielectric grease for the connections (get a tube and keep it in the toolbox, great for ANY electrical connection) you can also check the grounds for the HL's and see if they might need a "freshening" up... pull the ground lightly sand the area, grease and replace..

[Digger]

The fuse could be burnt. Hi and Low have dif fuse. I would say I would bet it is the bulb though. More than one person here has had both out at the same time

[breezd]

Woohoo another Chicago Vibe!!As the others said, try replacing the bulbs to make sure the lows didnt blow. Stranger things have happened... and check the fuse for sure. Welcome to GenVibe!

[Raven]

9003 headlight bulbs have 2 filaments, high and low beam. The low beam filament is also used for the daytime running lights, so they get a lot of air time. Almost certainly both low beam filaments are burnt. You don't notice one being burnt(especially in the city) but you definately notice when both are done.P.S. Don't buy Sylvania SilverStar bulbs for the Vibe. You'll be lucky to get 3 months out of them.

[potatogod]

Thanks to all for the replies, it was simply a matter of both being out. Raven you're right. I may not have noticed just one being out, but certainly did when both were done.And I completely agree with the sylvania silverstar bulbs. Found out they don't burn very long last year. I'll stick the the standards from now on.Now if I could just change my fob to unlock all doors on one click....

[2002sportside]

I got about a year out of Silverstars in the headlights, back to the old stock bulbs now. As far as I know, the Silverstar Ultra in the fogs are still good though...

[tribalman]

Quote, originally posted by potatogod »Thanks to all for the replies, it was simply a matter of both being out. Raven you're right. I may not have noticed just one being out, but certainly did when both were done.And I completely agree with the sylvania silverstar bulbs. Found out they don't burn very long last year. I'll stick the the standards from now on.Now if I could just change my fob to unlock all doors on one click....what lamps did you get? i'm looking to get something better and was just wondering what you got?as for the locks, i just got in the habit of pressing it 2x. and yay for another chicago area vibe. welcome

[Vibe_dude]

They say that the GE Nighthawks are the best lights out there..and at a decent price too.