Headlights stopped working???

[bahamutangel]

Hey guys! I've got a 2006 Mazda 3 (manual trans) and both headlights stopped working tonight. The car starts/runs/drives, and all other lights (high beams, directionals, interior) are working as usual.

Here's the kicker: I checked all the fuses, both in the panel under the glove box and the one under the hood. They all seem fine. I'm going to go through again tomorrow since it was dark out when I was checking them tonight. The bulbs were replaced in late May (4 months ago). Any other ideas as to how this may have happened, and how I can fix it?

[JC-MP5]

Bulbs went bad? Who replaced them?

[bahamutangel]

My b/f and I. They're Silverstar halogen bulbs. He did the passenger and I the driver's side. I wasn't able to check the bulbs tonight, just got the car towed home (waste of a tow, I know). I just wanted to see if this was a rampant problem or if I just have rotten luck.

[bahamutangel]

And for them both to go at the same time??? Unbelievable.

[JC-MP5]

Did you touch the glass on the bulbs at all? Even by accident it will ruin them. The oils in your skin will kill a halogen bulb.

[bahamutangel]

Yeah, was really careful with them. I'm just baffled that they both went out at the same time. I would have bet my life that it was a fuse. I'm trying to remember if I used bulb grease or not...

Of course, I'm at 61K mi and no longer under warranty, either. Since it's not a known issue, I'll check the bulbs tomorrow morning before I go through all the fuses again and see if they're blown.

[bahamutangel]

Yeah, was really careful with them. I'm just baffled that they both went out at the same time. I would have bet my life that it was a fuse. I'm trying to remember if I used bulb grease or not...

Of course, I'm at 61K mi and no longer under warranty, either. Since it's not a known issue, I'll check the bulbs tomorrow morning before I go through all the fuses again and see if they're blown.

[bahamutangel]

Sorry about the double post.

[JC-MP5]

Yeah, was really careful with them. I'm just baffled that they both went out at the same time. I would have bet my life that it was a fuse. I'm trying to remember if I used bulb grease or not...

Of course, I'm at 61K mi and no longer under warranty, either. Since it's not a known issue, I'll check the bulbs tomorrow morning before I go through all the fuses again and see if they're blown.

Hrmmm. I'm stumped. lol Good luck though.

[DocBoom]

the same thing has happened in my GF's Mazda 3 last night. I am guessing it is a relay... wondering if anyone can confirm this?

[newsboy86]

I've had both bulbs go out at the same time on my Protege5 several times. It would happen on the highway when shifting to a higher gear so the engine revs up alot higher. Like from fifth gear to third gear. My mom's 3 has constant headlight problems as well. I've read on another thread on here that changing out the stock headlight connector that plugs into the bulb adapter has solved this problem for some people. As for my car and my mom's, we are both going HID =)