Legacy Headlight Problem

[g_czplzn]

Subaru Legacy 2004 "35th Anniversary Edition" wagon
Both low beam headlights don't work, and both daylight running lights
don't work.
High beams and fog lights are OK.
I think there's some problem with the switch that turns off the
daylight running lights when the emergency brake is on.
How do I get to that switch? Is there a relay associated with that
switch?
How are the lights dimmed for daylight use? (Filaments in series,
resistor, etc. ?)

To reply directly to me, replace all 'z' with 'a' in email address.

 

[S]

HI GC!

Subaru Legacy 2004 "35th Anniversary Edition" wagon
Both low beam headlights don't work, and both daylight running lights
don't work.
High beams and fog lights are OK.

I'll assume you checked the lamps already. Check fusible links, fuses,
and relays in the electrical box under the hood. I've seen weird
headlight problems originate here.

I think there's some problem with the switch that turns off the
daylight running lights when the emergency brake is on.
How do I get to that switch? Is there a relay associated with that
switch?

Don't know about the relay, but the e-brake switches are at the back
of the lever. You will have to disassemble the center console to get
to them; a couple screws in the cargo pocket, and then a bunch of
snap-togeather panels.

How are the lights dimmed for daylight use? (Filaments in series,
resistor, etc. ?)

There's a resistor pack under the hood; a silver finned box about
2X3X1 inches with one cable pig-tail. It was on the R. wheel arch on
my wife's '02 Forry. You can simply unplug it to disable the DRLs if
desired.

To reply directly to me, replace all 'z' with 'a' in email address.

I think I have an electrical diagram for a '04 Impreza. Probably
pretty similar headlight arrangement. Email direct if you think that
might help, and I'll send it along.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[George]

Thanks for the info, Steve.
It turns out that both bulbs were burned out.
That surprised me. Either someone in my family didn't notice when the
first on burned out, or both of them burned out at essentially the
same time. I'll spare you the details, but it didn't take long for me
to figure that out, and I didn't tear anything apart.
I do have some other questions though.
I have the Haynes book, and on the wiring diagrams, I see mention of
"Combination Meter", which is apparently the instrument panel.
I also see some wires going to the "OP Connector". Any idea what that
is? I see a connector (R79) called the "Trailer connector". Is that on
all cars, or only ones with a special trailer package?
Finally, any way to know where the connectors are located and what the
designations mean? For example, some begin with a B (e.g. B99), some
with an R (e.g. R26) and some with an F (e.g. F3) and now I see one
with a T (T7).

Thanks.

George

 

[S]

Hi George!

Thanks for the info, Steve.
It turns out that both bulbs were burned out.
That surprised me. Either someone in my family didn't notice when the
first on burned out, or both of them burned out at essentially the
same time. I'll spare you the details, but it didn't take long for me
to figure that out, and I didn't tear anything apart.
I do have some other questions though.
I have the Haynes book, and on the wiring diagrams, I see mention of
"Combination Meter", which is apparently the instrument panel.
I also see some wires going to the "OP Connector". Any idea what that
is? I see a connector (R79) called the "Trailer connector". Is that on
all cars, or only ones with a special trailer package?
Finally, any way to know where the connectors are located and what the
designations mean? For example, some begin with a B (e.g. B99), some
with an R (e.g. R26) and some with an F (e.g. F3) and now I see one
with a T (T7).

Thanks.

George

Sorry, I'm not gonna be too much help on this one. The "combination
meter" is the instrument panel for sure. OP? There is a cigarette
lighter "power" plug in one of the rear pockets on the wagons;
Optional Power. maybe? Also on the wagons there may be a connector
where you can plug in the OEM trailer light adaptor; look in the spare
tire well, or behind the plastic trim below the hatch. Small white
6-pin item on the ones I've looked at.

I think the connector designations are somewhat arbitrary. The factory
service manual has drawings that show where all of the electrical
system components are located, including the connectors, grounding
points, etc. Short of that, there isn't any way to tell AFAIK. Paper
copies are expensive (try ebay), but you can D/L in pdf format from
Subaru for a fee, or perhaps even find it for free on the web with a
bit of searching.

My experience suggests that the DRLs eat up lamps. I've also had
problems with the heat generated from them actually melting the
headlight connectors; replaced the right one twice on my wife's '02
Forester. I tried being sneaky and disconnecting her DRL resistor, but
she just turns them on anyway. She thinks it's safer, and
realistically it probably is a bit . . . easier to keep fixing it than
to argue the point in any event ;-)

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[nobody >]

My experience suggests that the DRLs eat up lamps. I've also had
problems with the heat generated from them actually melting the
headlight connectors; replaced the right one twice on my wife's '02
Forester. I tried being sneaky and disconnecting her DRL resistor, but
she just turns them on anyway. She thinks it's safer, and
realistically it probably is a bit . . . easier to keep fixing it than
to argue the point in any event ;-)

ByeBye! S.

I agree that DRL seems to eat bulbs. I disabled DRL on mine to avoid the
embarrassment of a dead battery when I'd forget to turn the ignition
switch from ON to ACC after messing with the windows or the sunroof ( I
spend a lot of 'sit and wait''listening to the radio' time watching
contractors and site tenants). My bulb life went up drastically even
though I drive with the lites on.

My wife's '97 OBS doesn't have DRLs. She drives with the lites on also,
we haven't replaced a headlight bulb in 8 years.

(watch...now that I said that she'll loose every filament up front...)