Bad connection in headlamp electrical connector

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by techman41973, Oct 6, 2006.

  1. techman41973

    techman41973 Guest

    I have a 97 Accord (190K miles). 1/2 the nights my drivers side
    headlamp goes out.
    The bulb is fine. It seems to be the connector that clips on the bulb.
    Jiggling the connector does nothing. However if I remove the connector
    from the bulb and reconnect, the light works fine again (until enough
    vibration or temperature change breaks the connection).
    I sprayed the connector contacts a few times with contact cleaner,
    letting it soak in.
    No luck.
    While I would like to replace the connector, a replacement including
    the pig tail are on the pricey
    side. And getting my hands in that tight space to splice a new
    connector will be difficult at best.
    Is there a type of conductive grease that I could try to fill in the
    small gap that is forming inside the connection? Any other quick fix
    ideas? Thanks
     
    techman41973, Oct 6, 2006
    #1
  2. techman41973

    Ralf Ballis Guest

    Maybe your get a change when you tighter the contacts by using a plies or
    some thing.
    Ones you clean it chemical so I think a grease doesn't help.

    Important is to get booth sides of this connection clean ? on the bulb too.

    Regards,

    Ralf
     
    Ralf Ballis, Oct 7, 2006
    #2
  3. techman41973

    Mike Walsh Guest

    At a job I once had we used a conductive grease that was good for almost anywhere there was a problem getting a good connection. It came in a tube of about 15 ounces and was sold as high temperature grease. There was not anything on the package about it being conductive, but it was loaded with graphite and was a good conductor. I don't remember the name of the company that made it.
     
    Mike Walsh, Oct 7, 2006
    #3
  4. Some times bulbs don't burn out but the filament breaks and makes
    intermittent contact. I'd try a new bulb or swap with the other side to
    test.
     
    Scott Buchanan, Oct 7, 2006
    #4
  5. -------------------------------------

    It's a common problem because many of the Honda headlamp connectors have
    two little triangles on them, and we're supposed to know that unless we
    'pinch' the sucker on the triangles, it's not going to release the lamp.
    Wiggling and yanking just messes up the tension in the brass lugs inside
    the connector. Slip the plastic hood apart (draw a diagram first) then
    use fine needle nose pliers to carefully scrunch the lugs tighter, then
    reassemble.

    If you're in Canada and have DRL, your problem may be WAY more
    complicated (but you've probably screwed up your connectors anyway).

    'Curly'
     
    'Curly Q. Links', Oct 7, 2006
    #5
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