Lights Out - '05 9-5 Linear 2.3 Wagon

[xorlando]

Hi everyone,
I've read a couple of tangentially related posts but thought I'd ask more directly.
The SID is indicating a "Front Light Failure", and sure enough my left front headlight is not lighting. Can I assume it's just the build? All my Googling points at fuses and electrical.
Unrelated, my mechanic told me the top brake light - above the hatch - isn't lighting. I need to check again, bc I think it is. Apparently that's an LED strip.

Advice appreciated. I've got the WIS db and a Haynes. Basically figuring out what I need to buy at the parts store.

[MikeB63]

I would not assume it's just a bulb. That's the easiest thing to change, but I've had bulbs blow without any message. The only time I got that message was when I replaced a headlight assembly due to a deer strike. When I changed the ballast to the old one, it went away. My guess is it is something in the electrical system itself, if not the ballast. I would start by swapping the left and right bulbs and see if the problem follows the bulb that is not lighting just to rule it out. I would then do the same with ballast in each headlight to see if the problem switches headlights. After that, work your way through the electrical system.

[xorlando]

Thanks! How hard is that though? The WIS makes it sound complex, and the Haynes, as usual, uses two pictures where ten would do.

[MikeB63]

As I think of it, I assumed that you had Xenon lights and did not consider you may have halogen lights. I have xenon. If you have halogens, you won't have the ballast. To get to the bulbs on my car requires removing the front bumper cover (not hard) and removing the headlamp assembly. That provides easy access to the bulbs. The ballast is mounted on the bottom of the headlamp assembly. I am not sure what is required for halogens. I would think they are just like any other bulb that plugs into a socket.

[nordwulf]

The Linear didn't have the option of Xenon lights, only the Arc and Aero had this as an option.

For the 2005, a halogen bulb replacement should be pretty easy. Unlike the the 2006+ where you have to remove part of the front bumper as Mike mentioned.