Why does my headlight plug keep melting?
Most of the time, the issue is caused by the OE wire gauge, which is too small (typically 20 gauge) to handle the current drawn by the headlight bulbs. In other cases, the issue is the result of loose terminal connections, which can cause resistance in the circuit and lead to overheating.
What is a headlight connector?
A headlight socket is a female connector for a headlight bulb that acts as a power supply for the bulb. The headlight socket consists of a female connector designed to work with bulbs, attached to a pigtail of wiring that hooks up to the car’s electrical system.
How do you test a headlight connector?
How to Check That Power is Getting to the Headlights: Use a Test Light
- Unplug the light bulb electrical connector.
- Turn on the headlights.
- Connect your test light to a good ground and touch the test light probe to the power side of the connector terminal.
How do you disconnect a headlight connector?
Just push down on the clip and pull it off. It doesn’t take much force to release the clip, but the silicone seal makes it tough to start. Wiggle it a bit. Be careful in colder weather, it can snap if you push the clip too hard…
What causes a connector to melt?
A coil of wire, such as an extension lead, increases the magnetic electrical field current. The result is the production of heat. The wire then gets hotter, making the outer plastic coating soft (and therefore weaker), which strengthens the electrical field, eventually causing the coating to melt.
Can I splice headlight wires?
Splice the wires from the existing wiring to the new socket by twisting the ends together. You will likely have two wires that look the same color. One will have a blue or red stripe that will match to the new socket. Twist on a plastic wire connector over each splice.
How do I know if my headlight socket is bad?
Start with the obvious suspect Reinsert the socket into the headlamp housing and turn on your lights. If they work, you’re done; if they don’t, go on to the next step. When a headlight goes out, the problem is usually a bad bulb, which is easily replaced.
How do I change a headlight wire socket?
Replacement sockets come with a small stretch of pre-trimmed wire.
- Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery with a socket wrench.
- Disconnect the existing socket from the headlight assembly and then remove the bulb.
- Cut the wires going to the socket about 3 inches from the fixture using a wire splicer.
How do you remove a HID bulb from a socket?
Remove the cover over the rear of the HID bulb, at the rear of headlight, and then unplug the connector from the HID bulb. Remove the bulb from the reflector. The bulb will usually be held in place by a retaining ring that needs to be twisted to release the bulb.