Why Aren't the High Beams Working in My Car?

Mike Shaw Subaru Car Care FAQs for Denver: Why are the High Beams on my Subaru Not Working?

If you live in town, you might not use your high-beam headlights too often - but they're essential for nighttime driving, especially on rural roads. When only your standard headlights are working, but your brights aren't, you'll want to slow down and be extra careful at night. Wildlife, oncoming traffic and random debris on the road can sneak up on you if you're traveling too fast without your high beams. Instead, we'll help you in this article to get them fixed!

A word of caution: Some of the electrical components we're going to mention are best serviced by a factory-trained Subaru dealership technician. We'll explain just why below.

Did your high beams suddenly stop working? Ask our service professionals at Thornton, CO

Get your headlamps replaced at Mike Shaw Subaru in Thornton, CO

What Causes my High Beams to Stop Working?

Probably the most common reason your high beams are dim or stopped working altogether is a blown bulb or bulbs. While these bulbs should last for years on your car, they won't last forever either, and will need to be replaced eventually. This project is relatively simple for a DIYer. First, consult your owner's manual or just call your local Subaru dealership to find out what headlight bulb is compatible with your vehicle. Then, just swap out the old bulb. Use gloves if possible when handling the new bulb - otherwise, oil from your hands can actually damage the specialized quartz glass.

Alternatively, you may have a blown fuse in the fuse box. If your vehicle is relatively new, or you just replaced your high beam lamps, it might be worth it to check the high beams fuse, first. Your owner's manual will have a diagram of the fuse box. Find the fuse associated with your brights, and check it. If the metal filament inside has melted, then the fuse is blown. Replacing the fuse should get your lights working again, but if the new fuse also blows, you might have a bigger electrical problem on your hands. That's a good time to bring your vehicle to an authorized Subaru dealer.

If neither of these are the culprit, the next thing to look at is the high beams switch itself. The switch mounted to the steering column may need to be replaced. Replacing this switch will require taking off the steering wheel and disconnecting many wires. If any of these wires get crossed-up when reinstalling, the driver's air bag could detonate, and potentially injure you. We think it's best to trust this procedure to the factory-trained service pros at your local Subaru dealership. They'll be able to diagnose and repair your headlights problem quickly, correctly and safely.