Headlight melts its connector

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CARM1234
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I have a 2002 Bravada with 206000 miles on it. The drivers side low beam headlight went out. When I went to change it the part the scocket that light plugs into was melted. I cut the headlight scocket and about 4 inches of wire out and replaced it with a new scocket for the bulb, put the bulb back in and it melted the new plug also. Any idea why?
Nov 27, 2007 at 2:01 PM
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MERLIN2021
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You're gonna need to replace the starter solinoid and or the starter...
Sep 22, 2007 at 6:15 PM
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BOB123
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[quote:8f8682eb18="merlin2021"]You're gonna need to replace the starter solinoid and or the starter...[/quote:8f8682eb18]

The solinoid (replaced solinoid) and starter check out.

It's a ford, so there is only one starter wire connected from the ignition to the solinoid on the starter side of the switch. The wiring overall looks good, no crack's, burns or dry rot..My chiltons says to test the resistance on the ballast resitor wire ( note there is not an external ballast resistor).My diagram for the dura spark III shows the wire connected at the ignition and spliced in to the wire that charges the coil.

What color wires am I looking for and do I have to pull the instrument panel to get acces to and test the resistance of this wire ?
Sep 27, 2007 at 8:46 AM
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MERLIN2021
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You are looking for a red wire, and it must be replaced with the right length and type!


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_85Reswire_copy_1.jpg


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_85Reswire2_copy_1.jpg

Sep 27, 2007 at 5:14 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Next time it does that bang the starter relay-it will do that if its sticking even if the S and I small wires are removed it will do the same. Unless the ignition switch power input is shorting to the starting circuit
Oct 15, 2007 at 6:42 AM
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MERLIN2021
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Check the voltage at the plug....if over 13.8 with engine running, check your voltage regulator, is the bulb at full bright? if not check the ground wire.
Nov 27, 2007 at 3:04 PM
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CARM1234
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Ran the voltage check with a dial volt meter as follows

battery voltage with out car running 12 volts
battery voltage with car ruinning just shy of 15 volts
voltage at light socket on both headlights is just shy of 15 volts

Also checked ground wire with continunity tester and seems good. was the same on all lights.

Assuming voltage regulator is problem, is this something I can replace or do I need to take it in.
Dec 13, 2007 at 2:07 PM
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CARM1234
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Forgot my manners, Thanks for your help
Dec 13, 2007 at 2:08 PM
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MERLIN2021
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I would try replacing the socket and the bulb the voltage isnt bad, regulator will go up and down 13.8-14.8 not bad...may be a bad bulb, No modifications that might reduce airflow around that light....right?
Dec 13, 2007 at 2:40 PM
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CARM1234
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When I took the bulb out I noticed that when I replaced the plug the first time I used the same bulb and the prongs on that bulb were covered with a substance that looked burnt. Could that have caused it to go out again? Put it all back together with new plug and new bulb and everything works fine for now.

Again thanks for your help, Carm1234
Dec 13, 2007 at 6:12 PM
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MERLIN2021
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We may never know! But if it has increased the resistance in the curcuit, it will overheat...
Dec 13, 2007 at 6:28 PM