One Headlight Works Fine, The Other is Dim

[Otto Skorzeny]

Hi again,

The left headlight on my '72 240Z is/was glowing dim and it doesn't respond at all to the dimmer switch. The right side headlight works just fine and brightens and dims properly.

I bought a new headlight and installed it with no change in results. Fortunately I didn't put the bucket back in before testing it.

The 3 prong connector appears clean and there is no visible signs of water intrusion or corrosion.

The Headlights are Sylvania Halogens (sealed beam).

What is the likely cause of this problem?

Thanks very much.

Edited October 11, 2013 by Otto Skorzeny

[SteveJ]

The fuse for the left headlight is out, and the right headlight is backfeeding the left. If you search on this board, you can find my long explanation.

[Zed Head]

Someone pointed out on zcar.com that "Otto Skorzeny" is the name of an infamous Nazi and SS officer.

Otto Skorzeny - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I hope this guy is just generally ignorant, and not of the ignorant skin-head type. Something to consider when conversing. He never replied to being called out on it on zcar.com.

[Otto Skorzeny]

Zed,

I haven't been back to Z car.com since I posted a couple questions because this site seemed to have a greater knowledge base and I got more replies in a shorter time and haven't seen the post to which you refer.

Skorzeny was a commando and his exploits during the war were amazing. I've always been interested in history and WWII in particular. When I was in high school I read about Skorzeny's rescue of Mussilini from a castle fortress by landing a small plane on the side of the mountain. I did more research and read his autobiography and accounts of his exploits in other sources.

I feel I should point out that he was released after the war by American authorities after charges against him were dropped because British commandos told prosecutors that Skorzeny didn't do anything during the war that they themselves had not done and that they would testify to that effect.

Perhaps you should have asked me directly before insinuating that I am ignorant for it appears to be you who have shown his ignorance. No worries, ignorance can be corrected through education.

I have no hard feelings toward you and hope you feel likewise. I'd like to continue using this forum when I have a Z car question.

Edited October 11, 2013 by Otto Skorzeny

[Otto Skorzeny]

Thanks a lot Steve.

From your reply it sounds like it's more involved than just pulling a fuse and replacing it, eh? In-line fusible link or something?

[Zed Head]

Perhaps you should have asked me directly before insinuating that I am ignorant for it appears to be you who have shown his ignorance. No worries, ignorance can be corrected through education.

I have no hard feelings toward you and hope you feel likewise.

If you thought that you could use the name of a Nazi and SS officer and not get some grief for it, then you have a general, universal, ignorance going for you. Enjoy it. I don't harbor hard feelings for people who do dumb things. I just feel some disappointment that they turned out the way they did.

Regarding your logic of "he didn't do anything we didn't do", war crimes by both sides don't make war crimes right, by default. Perhaps the Brits should have been prosecuted also.

As for choosing his name because you admire his exploits, your choice shows more specific ignorance and/or insensitivity to those people who are still alive and were affected by the Nazis and the SS, and WWII in general. It's just a selfish or thoughtless, insensitive choice for a screen name.

[SteveJ]

Thanks a lot Steve.

From your reply it sounds like it's more involved than just pulling a fuse and replacing it, eh? In-line fusible link or something?

Actually you just need to replace the fuse. Some people don't understand the reason for the dim headlight, so I explained why it happens in detail.

[Otto Skorzeny]

Ha! Thanks.

I didn't even check the fuse box thinking that if a fuse was blown no power would reach the bulb at all.

I'll take a look at that tomorrow.

[Otto Skorzeny]

Hey Steve,

I was just up in your town yesterday in the Z. My girlfriend and I blew off work and drove up to Helen. Coming home I missed a turn or something and ended up driving through downtown Gainesville. (probably because I couldn't see the road signs with just one good headlight!)

[Otto Skorzeny]

These were taken yesterday in Helen.

[Otto Skorzeny]

Hi again,

The plastic fuse panel cover is missing from this car so I don't know which fuse does what. None appear to be blown but I'm going to clean up all the clips, etc.

Can you post a picture or diagram of the cover?

[Otto Skorzeny]

Ha! Found it. The tangs on the fuse holder in the top right were spread out and not gripping tightly. I'll bend them back into shape and see what happens.

That did the trick. Thanks a lot. Now I just need to figure out what the other fuses are for.

Edited October 12, 2013 by Otto Skorzeny