Passenger side headlight keeps blowing

Tiny
MNELSON088
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 BUICK REGAL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 50,000 MILES
Passenger headlight went out, so I went and bought another one and right after putting it in, it blows again. With the bulbs pricing $104.00 for one replacement, I can't keep buying new ones. I've bought three now. And every time they blow once I put them in. What is causing this? The fuse is good.
Saturday, October 9th, 2021 AT 12:16 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,671 POSTS
Hello, sounds like an interesting but frustrating problem. Is this vehicle the 2.4L? Looking at the wiring diagrams here. Are you talking about fuse #49 15amp? Thats what is listed as the right-hand headlight circuit power feed.
At $104.00 each, is this including the Ballast in the diagram as well? I also see a solenoid actuator, are these rising up headlamp type?

I am going to keep adding info as we go here until you're reply on subjects.
Have you checked these grounds on the strut towers?

Also, the fact that there's three separate circuits coming into this headlamp unit. Is there any effect on the Front Park light circuit?

Obviously too much current flow is what would be causing this unit to burn out consistently. On that #1 pin in the diagram I see what looks like a shrouded ground shielding. If the ballast is not being replaced each time as well, I would say the ballast is probably shorted and drawing too much current flow.

Another thought, the fact that the fuse for that circuit is not popping, tells me the extra current is probably coming from a different circuit.

Are you noticing anything strange with the cruise control unit, sound system, or instrument cluster? Just asking because of the third diagram, where part of the dimmer switch is feeding other circuits, probably for the interior lighting for those other systems.
There is also some technical service bulletins on some of these GM harness plugs, no OEM lamps, and cracks that might be allowing moisture in to corrode circuits.
I'm not sure where you have been getting replacement headlamps from?

You can also scan the body control module for codes concerning the headlamp circuits. I will leave an example of the Codes on the last diagram. If you have any of these codes, let me know and I can investigate them some more. I will bet there's a code stored in the BCM for what's going on here.
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Saturday, October 9th, 2021 AT 2:48 PM

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