Report on Interstae Low beam trouble

[Firefighter]

Yesterday I thought I had the chance to take my 2000 IS for a much needed spin. While warming up I noticed my low beam headlights were not working. High beam worked and all other lights functioned properly. I checked fuses and then started wiggling wires and harnesses that I could reach. After a while the low beams came on and I did not know if I caused it or not. I flipped the kill and dimmer switch a thousand times to no avail. I removed the dimmer switch from the housing and was able to test it with a 12 volt test light. It seemed ok. Found a diagram on this site and checked high and low beam relays in front of the battery box. Now, sometimes the low beam would work, but I found the relays had power from the fuse, were grounding good, had power from the dimmer switch but the low beam relay most of the time didn't have power out to the lights. I tried cleaning connections, then switched the two relays and now the problem moved to the high beam. So I have ordered a relay.

I know anything can fail especially after 18 years but was thinking I would have a wire connection problem. The relay looks new, and I had used dielectric grease years ago.

Just wanted to report my progress (so far),, and give you guys something to read.

[Jess from VA]

For years (2 interstates), I will lose one low beam from time to time.

While I have lost low beam filaments on occasion, about 96% of the time, if I smack the headlamp cover smartly with my palm, the light comes back on.  (There's no corrosion in there at all, I just think the loosy goosey connections (or ground) lose contact from time to time)

This is a decidedly low tech solution, and YMMV.  

I have recommended the HELLA H4 100/80W High Wattage Bulbs for the interstate as an inexpensive upgrade (for dims, I never run on hi constant, though I may flash hi's).  I have not noticed any shortened life from the many std H4 55-60s I ran for a long time, and I did not change or beef up either sockets or wiring (and that has been no problem either).  

But something happened the other day; I had to move my bike 20 feet in a parking area, and I forgot to turn my key off.  In only about 15 minutes, I had drawn down my (good, maybe 2yo) battery to the point it would not start the bike.  Leaving 80 X 2 = 160 watts pulling on the battery will unload it quickly.  

I happened to be visiting my local (private, not dealer) HOG shop with all the faithful HOG guys who mostly don't give me any of the business for riding a Honda (I've known these folks for 20 years, back when I did run a Hog).  Well, you should have seen them light up and the good humor start, when they had the opportunity to push start me in the back lot.

Man, this thing is a car.

You got that right, it even has a car tire back here.

What a monster.  But it pushes easy.

It fired right up, and I waved a fond farewell and thank you to the good natured joking.

https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-H4-100-80W-Wattage/dp/B000COBLKW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1524592194&sr=8-3&keywords=80-100+bulbs

[Houdini]

I spent a couple of days chasing a non-existent problem when I lost both lo and hi beams on my IS.  Turned out all four elements were blown.  Do the easiest thing first and pull the bulbs and check them.

[gordonv]

I spent a couple of days chasing a non-existent problem when I lost both lo and hi beams on my IS.  Turned out all four elements were blown.  Do the easiest thing first and pull the bulbs and check them.

Standard car H4 lights can be used with a quick mod. Inexpensive compared to the factory Honda bulb.

[cookiedough]

For years (2 interstates), I will lose one low beam from time to time.

While I have lost low beam filaments on occasion, about 96% of the time, if I smack the headlamp cover smartly with my palm, the light comes back on.  (There's no corrosion in there at all, I just think the loosy goosey connections (or ground) lose contact from time to time)

This is a decidedly low tech solution, and YMMV.  

I have recommended the HELLA H4 100/80W High Wattage Bulbs for the interstate as an inexpensive upgrade (for dims, I never run on hi constant, though I may flash hi's).  I have not noticed any shortened life from the many std H4 55-60s I ran for a long time, and I did not change or beef up either sockets or wiring (and that has been no problem either).  

But something happened the other day; I had to move my bike 20 feet in a parking area, and I forgot to turn my key off.  In only about 15 minutes, I had drawn down my (good, maybe 2yo) battery to the point it would not start the bike.  Leaving 80 X 2 = 160 watts pulling on the battery will unload it quickly.  

I happened to be visiting my local (private, not dealer) HOG shop with all the faithful HOG guys who mostly don't give me any of the business for riding a Honda (I've known these folks for 20 years, back when I did run a Hog).  Well, you should have seen them light up and the good humor start, when they had the opportunity to push start me in the back lot.

Man, this thing is a car.

You got that right, it even has a car tire back here.

What a monster.  But it pushes easy.

It fired right up, and I waved a fond farewell and thank you to the good natured joking.

https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-H4-100-80W-Wattage/dp/B000COBLKW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1524592194&sr=8-3&keywords=80-100+bulbs

If you replace 1 side with this 80w bulb should  you replace the other side as well with same 80w or can you just still use the OEM guessing 55w bulb on other side?  Just curious?  I have one bulb out now on my I/S and need to replace at least that side.

[Jess from VA]

If you replace 1 side with this 80w bulb should  you replace the other side as well with same 80w or can you just still use the OEM guessing 55w bulb on other side?  Just curious?  I have one bulb out now on my I/S and need to replace at least that side.

Cookie, I suppose it would be fine to use your working 55/60 (std auto H4) on one side and the Hella 80/100 on the other.  But I'd order at least two anyway... for future use. 

The OE Honda bulbs are rated 45/45 (and no tabs to be cut off)

I should also mention that my lights were aimed perfectly with the many 55/60s I used, and stayed perfectly aimed with the Hella 80/100s.