Headlamp problem and quandry

[wintersilke]

2005 Vibe.Driver's side headlamp socket melted 3 times in the past 2 years. I finally crimped in some quick connectors to make replacing this part easier. I am frustrated on why only the driver's side melts while the passenger side does not though. If anyone has any thoughts on this it would be welcomed but this is not my primary problem at the moment.Currently, the driver's side high beam will not come on. I double checked that the connectors were in the right place first, then switched the bulb with the passenger's side when I noticed that as soon as I unplugged the passenger side bulb, the driver's side headlamp went out. When I plugged the passenger side back in, the driver's side turned back on. I tested this with both the high beams on or off. I also noticed that the high beam indicator on the dash is permanently on now. Any help regarding this problem would be welcomed.

[beemerphile1]

Based on your description I would first check all the ground connections. Bad grounds often cause very strange symptoms because the system will seek a ground anywhere it can find one.If one light goes off when the other is unplugged it may indicate that the first lamp is being grounded through the second lamp.Burnt sockets indicate overheating due possibly to poor connections. The electric can jump across the contacts creating an arc which overheats the contacts.

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by beemerphile1 »Burnt sockets indicate overheating due possibly to poor connections. The electric can jump across the contacts creating an arc which overheats the contacts.This... Lose or corroded connection increase resistance, current running through a resistance creates heat... A little crimping of the connections inside of the headlight plug might have helped.. Maybe the ground connect on the other end.. (usually bolted to the rad support or "frame" horn)...

[wintersilke]

When you say the first one, you mean the driver's side don't you?Where would the ground be for that headlamp? I've not done much with wiring on a vehicle before but have a lot of experience with wiring houses and mechanical apparatus.Another point I need to make is that when the foglamps are on and I switch the headlamps from low to high beam, the foglamps go out. A buddy suggested that the fuse for the foglamps is bad. Any thoughts on that?

[dzknmd1]

Fog lamps go out when high beams are on by design. The logic is that you won't want to be running your high beams in the fog.