I tried replacing a headlight on my 87 trans am. The right headlight works and will come on (the one near the battery). I was curious as if my car has a relay for the headlight, or if it could be a blown fuse (if so what ampage for the fuse). Or it could just be a bad headlight from the get go and i'll have to return it for another one. I was going to see if anyone had any options or suggestions as to what it could be. The plug that goes into the back of the headlight is clean and looks to be in good condition and not burnt out or anything.

Wes~

 

Need more clarification: Is the headlight not popping up, or is the sealed beam not lighting up?

 

The two headlights are in parallel, if one works they both should. Check the ground on the one that doesn't work (follow the black wire).

 

i had a bad ground on the same light and it was dimmer then the other.

 

Neither of the headlight motors work, I have them both raised and unplugged, but one headlight works and the other doesn't. The headlight closest to the battery works, but the one on the drivers side does not. I checked the ground on the headlight it was good, and the wire that plugs into the back of the headlight was good as well. Im thinking I just bought a shooken up headlight, I plan on installing it into the side I know works and going from there, if so and it works im going to feel like a total dumb a**. lol. Please excuse my low knowledge on vehicles, im 19 and this is my first car, so everything I know i've learned from fixing up my trans am!
Third Gen all the way!

 

yes third gen all the way!1 bad headlight! i had one, replace it!! if the new dont work return it, and just wrong headlamp

 

Generally, if you have a bad ground the one further from the good ground will be dim. If it does not illuminate altogether, it could still be a bad ground (most people don't check the ground when they troubleshoot) but your test of swapping from side to side will prove one way or the other whether or not you got a bad lamp.

 

try swapping one lamp for the other

 

Thanks for all the input guys, its greatly appreciated. Im about to walk out now and swap them out, i'll get back to you all on it.

 

Also, unless you’re on a budget, replace both headlights at the same time.

Otherwise it will look like an old jalopy at night.

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Happy Racing!

 

Hey, just checked, its not the headlight, somthing electrical =/
and i plan on replacing them both.

 

Any suggestions as to what it could be? checked the ground, checked the plug for the light, maybe a blown fuse?

 

OK.

Use a voltmeter.

Shouldn’t take more than a minute to diagnose with a meter.

Sometime there is a failure where the two wires are crimped in the socket.

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Happy Racing!

 

Alrighty, will do and thanks for all your time guys! I'll figure it out im sure.
Cya guys!
Wes~