"Right Low Beam Failure" Message Help

35

Asked by jjwalt Apr 28, 2015 at 06:21 PM about the 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have an '08 Saab 9-3 Aero equipped with the Bi-Xenon headlamps. I've recently come across the "right low beam failure" message; since the both the low and high beam are housed in the same headlight assembly for the xenons, I replaced the unit with an oem Philips XenStart D1S 35W bulb (which has the ballast built-in the base of the headlight). Even though I've: replaced the bulb; checked all connections; ensured no fuses were blown; etc. my right headlamp still will not light on (for either low-beam or high-beam) and the "right low beam failure" message inevitably pops up on the SID. In the owners manual, they recommend having a dealership replace Xenon headlights (due to high voltages, temperatures, etc.), but, in fact, it's perhaps one of the simplest (physically) replaced bulbs I've ever come across. After spending $100 on the part, I don't really want to spend another $115 at the dealership for them to only open up the hood. Has anyone come across this issue? Is it a simple fix or is there perhaps something more sinister at-play?

3 Answers

103,735

Was reading a Saab forum and they said that it was a common problem for the headlight relay to fail due to bad solder points. Try a new relay. Also check any fuses for head lights.

5 people found this helpful.
144,795

This is also a common problem with the head switch assembly,just to ad to Reelins suggetions.

2 people found this helpful.
35

Thanks for the suggestions Reelin68 and T_S_T. I was mispoken when I said that the D1S bulb had the ballast built into the base of the unit; it is actually the ignitor (opposed to the bulb and ignitor being separate for model years '03-'07). The ballast is located underneath the actual headlight assembly itself & after taking off the front bumper and accessing the headlamp, I exchanged my two ballasts for one another (left to right, right to left) and I found the source of my issue. Thanks for your insight!

3 people found this helpful.

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