Headlight mystery
 

Ok either this is a complete coincidence or something is up and I would like your guys imput. Today when I was driving home from work I noticed by drivers headlight just went out. Didn't think anything of it. So after I get home the wife asks me to go to the store to get some stuff. When I get in my truck and turn on the lights nothing happens. It appears both headlights are out. They both work on high beams but not low beams. What are the odds that both headlights go out on the same day? To make things even more interesting when turn the high beams on the hi beam light in the gauge cluster does not come on at all, but the lights are clearly on hi beams. If it matters the drivers side light is about 3 years old and the passengers light is about a year and a half old. Is this bad luck or do you guys think something is going on here?

Thanks

Intermitten open in the fuses, indicator lamp burnt out, bad wiring, bad healights, or dirty switch. In no particular order.

What did you test or inspect? What vehicle and model year?

Sorry its a 92 hilux. I havent done anything yet other that visually inspect the wires. I was going to take a look at it tonight and install some new bulbs. Thankfully, I have backups. My truck has always gone through headlight bulbs fairly often (I usually have to replace a bulb every 1.5 - 2 years.) I just find it extremely interesting both went out, but just not at the same time.

Plus, the whole indicator lamp bulb going out really has me scratching my head. I wasnt sure if it was our trucks way of telling us "hey dumbass both of your lights are out." Kinda like how the parking brake light will stay on if you have air bubbles n your break lines.

No idea on the indicator lamp thingy but both bulbs going out within the same day is not outside the realm of possibility... depending on the quality of the lamps 1.5-2 yrs life is also not unusual based on usage patterns... our trucks bounce around a lot more than a car and that can wear out the filaments faster since the heat stress from operation weakens them over time.
An H4 conversion kit is worth considering the bulbs seam to last longer than the lamps & you have more bulb options {including high power types} than lamps. Also switching out the bulbs is a breeze... did the d-side on mine Mon. took less than 5 mins. [p-side takes a bit longer since you have to take out the batt. to get at it but still under 15.]
* I have a cone air filter, stock air cleaner box types might take a bit longer to do but not much.

Damit, I failed to mention that I do have H4's. I did the Hella E-code conversion many years ago. The bulbs I have been using are high power and bright as hell. I plan on changing the lights tonight and see what happens. I will report back. The indicator lamp "issue" is really throwing me off.

Those high-power H4s do have a shorter life than the normal 50/60 55/65 types fwiw.

indicator could be just a burned out bulb in the cluster they do fail too once in a while...

Those high-power H4s do have a shorter life than the normal 50/60 55/65 types fwiw.

indicator could be just a burned out bulb in the cluster they do fail too once in a while...

Thanks for the info aviator. I am just surprised that all three went out on the same day. Guess I will always keep a stock supply of back up H4's or maybe I will do a HID conversion. Always looking for an excuse to upgrade something.

Changed the bulbs and everything is good! The indicator bulb in working perfectly now as well. Guess it going out is our trucks 3rd world way of telling us our lights are out.

I never had both lights go out at the same time... guess I learned something new... makes it a good day.