2004 Headlight issue

[triumphgt6er]

Hoping someone has some ideas for an ongoing issue on a 2004 Legacy headlight. The right headlight continually goes out. If I wiggle the headlight bulb socket and wires I can get it to come back. Figured it was a bad socket or wires so I replaced the headlight socket with a new one. Some of the casing on the original wire was worn. I also found a corroded ground wire and cleaned that up. Figured those were my issues, but when I re-installed the socket - same behavior. After messing with it further I noticed the socket was a tad loose in the headlight itself when the plastic retainer nut that tightens the bulb into the headlight (those crappy 1/4 turn retainers that are a pita). I fashioned a small gasket to make that fitting tighter and that seemed to fix the problem and everything seemed stable. A few days later....headlight is out again.

 

Anyone have ideas on what might be wrong or what else to check?

[fedaykin]

At that point, I would say "frak this" and retrofit HID projectors with F3 Fastbright ballasts and Philips/Osram D2S bulbs (and of course, relay hardness).

[bluesuby]

When the socket in my 2005 LGT fell apart, I bought a pair of ceramic sockets from Candlepower in Rockville Maryland (internet sales). If you can strip the insulation off the wire ends and crimp on a spade connector (solder optional) it's a cheap fix. You can get brighter replacement bulbs from Candlepower. See what they offer by speaking with the tech guy.

[triumphgt6er]

Thanks guys. Finally solved the problem. Turns out the socket and bulb just weren't a good match. Both looked fine, but probably just not making a good connection. Replaced the socket (again) and a new bulb...seems fine finally.