Drivers side headlight/running light mysteriously out
 

This sounds like a simple issue but.... I checked the fuses and everything is in order. The high beam and turn signal work. I don't think it's a bulb issue since both the headlight (low beam) and running light are out. Next thing to check is the wiring... When ever I finally get a chance. So for now I wanted to ask, has anyone had this issue in the past and if so how did you fix it?

Thanks.

Alright, so I finally had a chance to visually inspect the wiring harness running to both the low beam and running light, but I did not find anything that would indicate a problem. I was unable to trace the wiring much further than where it enters the engine compartment and appears to join with other harnesses.

Is there a specific place I should look or procedure I should do to test? When it comes to mechanics, electrical is definitely my weak point.

Factory Xenons or halogens? Factory bulbs?

mTheory

Check out the Day Running Light module (Blue Module behind the glove box on the Canadian models)
I have the same problem on my 8 and i suspect this module to be at fault... (I just turn the Xenon lights on at startup to fix the problem and avoid being pulled to the side of the road :)
You can also park the car in front of windows to check the lights and play with the parking brake switch... you might see the second DRL light up!
The DRL are from the same bulbs as the High beams... On mine, only one of them light up at full high beam instead of both drl at low voltage...I don't think it's a defective bulb... keep us posted!

I believe they are the halogen lights. It is abase model, and if I'm not mistaken the base did not get the xenons. The bulbs are aftermarket sylvania silver stars.

I'll look into whether my car has the DRL module behind the glove box. I will have time this Saturday to really dig in and figure this out. In the mean time feel free to share any other thoughts or tips.

Ray - what does the parking break have to do with the lights?

9krpm - I know this is way off topic but this is my own thread so I can hijack it if I want... What kit is that on your car? I agree clean is the new cool, and that is the only kit I think looks more clean than no kit at all. Also, I'm curious to hear your input based on my model of headlights.

Thanks guys!

Parking brake switch cuts off the day running lights when engaged with motor running…
Lights them up when released.

Oh okay, the factory Xenons can experience similar issues with cheapy aftermarket HID bulbs. But either way I would slap in different bulbs just to rule out the sylvanias.

Thanks, the body kit on my car is an OEM Mazdaspeed kit.

Now that you mention that about the parking break I have had a strange issue with it lately, and perhaps that is related to my problem. A couple months ago I noticed that my parking break light on my dash would stay on even though the parking break was fully released. Think there is a connection? I actually just replaced my breaks (slotted rotors baby!) and ever since it happens about half as often as before I changed them. Any idea what's up with that?

Thanks 9k, I think I'm gonna have to put that kit on my wish list. Any recommendations for most affordable place to find it?

Since I'm running halogen and both the low beam and DRL are out do you really think it's the bulb? Unless it is the "Christmas tree light" effect, where one bulb being out effects the following lights in the chain.

I know this was months and months ago that I posted this thread but I realized that I never followed up to share what I discovered to be the cause of my issues.

Well, after inspecting every last wire and connector I was baffled. I decided to go ahead and check the bulbs themselves, even though the thought of both of them going out simultaneously sounded highly implausible. Sure enough it was a simple (to my chagrin) matter of dead bulbs. How both the low bean and driving light, being on different harnesses, blew-out together... I have no idea. But I will never again over look the "simple solution" just because my gut tells me otherwise. :wallbash:

Feel free to flame. I deserve it. lol