hi everyone, just posting this to help anyone who may come across this same problem.

i had both my lowbeams go out at the same time, and thanks to this forum, i figured out the problem. it wasn't nearly as complicated as i thought it must be - (wiring, headlight switch, etc) it was, simply, that both beams burnt out at the same time.

first my heater control panel light went out, and a few days later BOTH my low beams went out at the same time... i had to drive home with high beams and noticed the high beam dash indicator didn't work either...

of course i figured it must be a wiring issue, since it would be odd for two headlights to go out at the same time, but that wasn't the case.

after searching this site and reading this thread in particular (thanks guys)
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...light+low+beam i thought i'd try replacing both lamps - and sure enough, that fixed it.

sounds like the low beam healight circuit is so frail that if something like the heater control panel lights goes, it's a chain reaction.

anyway, i managed to replace both headlights without removing the bumper or grille as my haynes manual says to do.
just pop off the top grill pegs and the corner lights to give you some play, then take out the top 2 screws for the headlight mounting bracket and pull the bracket down enough to pop out the lamps. it takes a bit of careful fanagling, but at least your not taking off the fender and grille. could save you lots of time and hassle.

huge thanks to this forum and all you guys posting, you just helped me out big-time! cheers!

 

You need to throw that Haynes manual in the nearest ditch and get a real FSM!

 

haha, yeah, no doubt, the haynes is useles...

it was kinda helpful in a way though... if it was thorough enough to tell me how to get the friggin front bumper off, i would have gone to all that unecessary trouble!