Pontiac Grand Am Headlights

The Pontiac Grand Am headlight assembly serves as your eyes during nighttime driving. When they do not work correctly, it is important to pinpoint the exact cause so that you will be able to provide the exact solution. Also, no matter what the cause of failure is, you need to understand how to do the troubleshooting yourself so you can save on labor costs. Here are simple ways to find the cause of your headlight assembly problem:

When one headlight is not working

The problem might be a bad headlight bulb or an ignitor module. To find out, place the good headlight bulb to the side that is not working. If it works, then you have solved your first case quite easily. But if it does not, take the good ignitor module from the other side and place it on the bad side along with its original bulb. If the bulb lights up, you will need to replace the bad ignitor module.

When both headlights are not working

The problem may lie on a number of reasons, namely, a bad switch, wiring fault, or a blown fuse. Start the inspection by checking the fuse panel first. If the fuse is blown, you will have to replace it with a new one immediately, so you can check what caused it to blow in the first place. If the new fuse blows right away, there is a short or overload that caused it to fail. Check the wiring circuit to find the fault.

If, however, you find the fuse fine, the problem may be caused by the switch. Since switches are very prone to wear and tear, it is normal to have these wear out after several years of service. Simply replace the old switch to get your Pontiac Grand Am headlight assembly to start working again.

But if the problem is not caused by a bad switch, check the wires for any frays and damages. This is very common if you live in rural areas where rodents can easily access the wires and chew on them.

When the headlights don't illuminate the road properly

Check the aim of the headlights-they must be aimed straight ahead. Otherwise, you will be blinding or annoying oncoming drivers as you drive along. Besides this, moisture in the headlight housing can also reduce the useful light.

To remove condensation

If there is any moisture present inside the headlight housing, you can remove it by using a number of methods, all of which requires you to remove the assembly off of the front of your Pontiac. The first method you can use is by simply letting it dry under the sun. Just remove the light bulbs and set the housing in a secure area where the moisture can easily evaporate. Another way is by using a blow dryer, which is quite faster than the other method.

Once dry, don't rush in putting it right back. Seal all openings up tightly by using a permatex compound or a silicone sealant. This will prevent you from experiencing the same problem over and over.

To remove scratches

Since they are always exposed to all types of weather, scratches are not unusual. To remove them, you can purchase a headlight polishing kit from your nearest auto parts store. Make sure you tape the body panels at the edges of the headlight cover to prevent any chemical from getting in contact with the paint. Apply the headlight polish in a circular direction using a microfiber cloth. When the scratches are gone, simply wipe off the polish with a clean cloth.

To remove oxidation

As the sun beats down on the plastic headlight lenses, the UV rays break down the plastic material and leave a layer of yellowish, hazy film that can impede useful light. Removing oxidation is quite simple. Just apply some plastic polishing wax onto the headlight covers using your fingers while the lenses are still wet from washing. Then take a sanding sponge and a wet and soapy, 600-grit sandpaper and sand the lenses from side to side. Continue the sanding process with 1200-grit, and then with 2500-grit sandpaper. Be careful to keep the headlights wet at all times. After this, wipe off all excess grit from the surface and apply some polish, letting it haze. Afterwards, buff or wipe it off using a shop towel.

What does it feel driving one of the last vehicle runs of the great General Motors marque? The Pontiac Grand Am surely still gives you the thrill and joy that you associate with driving a true American car. You hit the open road and open the throttle wide open. Driving through the canyons until the sun sets should be one to be accomplished with this car. However, when the sky turns dark, you should also have a reliable Pontiac Grand Am headlight. This will help you see what is ahead of you. Especially in canyons, there could be animals crossing and dangerous curves that need to be spotted from the distance. If you want a safe trip and avoid officers from pulling you over because of busted headlights, you should know how to take care of it. Here are some tips on how you should maintain the headlight of your Pontiac Grand Am.

• Loosen the dust and grime on the headlight lens by rinsing it with water.

The number one enemy of an effective headlight is accumulated dust on the lens. It prevents the light from fully reaching its reach. Just like all the other exterior panels of your car, point your hose at an angle and let the water rush to your lens. The angle should be able to push away loose dust from the surface already. This also allows you to be able to scrub lens with less abrasion. For light dust build-ups, water can already do the trick. But hey, don't settle for that only.

• Apply the car shampoo mixture to the lens in gentle scrubs.

After rinsing your headlight lens with water, prepare the car shampoo mixture in a clean pale. Soak your favorite wash mitt in it then apply it to your lens. Do so in gentle scrubs to avoid scratching the surface. If you became careless, you will eventually put some bad scratches on the lens. It is not good for driving.

• Don't forget to dry it up.

You should get a clean cloth or chamois to dry up the newly washed headlight. This prevents water from getting stuck in the crevices and eventually accumulating dirt again.

Check the bulbs one by one by switching them on from your instrument panel.

The headlight assembly of the more modern models of the Grand Am has the following light bulbs: the high beam bulb, low beam bulb, and turn signal bulb. You can check them one by one by switching them on from the instrument panel. As you switch one on, go out and observe if they are working. For bulbs that are not working, inspect them carefully. The malfunction can either be because of busted bulb or faulty wiring.

Inspect the wires for correct connection.

When your headlight assembly has already been removed from the car before, there is a very slight chance that the wires are not connected to the corresponding end. You can spot that when you switch on your lights and the wrong bulbs are activated.

Know how strong the light that's being emitted is.

You should also check the amount of light being emitted by your light bulbs. For that, you have to park your car in a clear area before switching on the lights. Observe the distance and width it covers. If you feel that the bulb is already weak, then it might be the time to replace it.