Need light socket pigtail for 2003 Baja?

[me]

My girlfriend has a 2003 Baja.

The socket or pigtail or whatever its called that plugs
into the headlamp is needing replaced as its corroded
and appears to be somewhat melted.... causing her
headlight to go out due to poor contact and electrical
flow.

I don't know anything abt Subaru's.... but can you guy
be so kind as to point me to an online source of these
"pigtails"?

And...can it be changed by me or is this something a
mechanic must do?

 

[johninky]

My girlfriend has a 2003 Baja.

The socket or pigtail or whatever its called that plugs
into the headlamp is needing replaced as its corroded
and appears to be somewhat melted.... causing her
headlight to go out due to poor contact and electrical
flow.

I don't know anything abt Subaru's.... but can you guy
be so kind as to point me to an online source of these
"pigtails"?

And...can it be changed by me or is this something a
mechanic must do?

http://www.suvlights.com/index.php?cPath=24

 

[johninky]

Forgot to mention you just cut ad splice. Cut off the bad and splice
in the new.

 

[Stewart DIBBS]

Forgot to mention you just cut ad splice. Cut off the bad and splice
in the new.

And get a tube of dielectric grease from any autoparts store and put some on
the contacts.

SD

 

[me]

Forgot to mention you just cut ad splice. Cut off the bad and splice
in the new.

OK thanks..... I will have to look at the female socket
again and determine which one to get as there are so
many designs!!

 

[me]

And get a tube of dielectric grease from any autoparts store and put some on
the contacts.

GREAT idea!

Thanks guys!

 

[S]

Hi!

My girlfriend has a 2003 Baja.

The socket or pigtail or whatever its called that plugs
into the headlamp is needing replaced as its corroded
and appears to be somewhat melted.... causing her
headlight to go out due to poor contact and electrical
flow.

I don't know anything abt Subaru's.... but can you guy
be so kind as to point me to an online source of these
"pigtails"?

And...can it be changed by me or is this something a
mechanic must do?

This is a routine thing; I've done the one on my wife's '02 Forry
twice now. Pretty sure it's because of the DRLs: it gets hot when the
headlights are on all of the time.
Subaru has used this connector on a bunch of cars, back to the early
'90s Legacys anyway. Wire colors may be different, but that won't
matter. Cut off the old connector, and hit the salvage yard for a
replacement (get two and toss one into the glove box). Shouldn't be
more'n a couple bucks; they usually throw them away. Use butt crimps
(or solder) to attach the replacement. I'd also suggest disabling the
DRLs (if your SO will allow it ;-); simply a matter of unplugging the
resistor module under the hood. Instructions available on line, either
at scoobymods, or on the NASIOC website.
Hope this helps.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[me]

This is a routine thing; I've done the one on my wife's '02 Forry
twice now. Pretty sure it's because of the DRLs: it gets hot when the
headlights are on all of the time.

Wow! I never thought abt the DRL's causing it but I
bet that is right!! Thanks!! I wonder what the heck
could cause that connection to melt like that! Duh!!

My car doesn't have DRL as its to old.... so didn't
even think abt that.

Subaru has used this connector on a bunch of cars, back to the early
'90s Legacys anyway. Wire colors may be different, but that won't
matter. Cut off the old connector, and hit the salvage yard for a
replacement (get two and toss one into the glove box). Shouldn't be
more'n a couple bucks; they usually throw them away. Use butt crimps
(or solder) to attach the replacement. I'd also suggest disabling the
DRLs (if your SO will allow it ;-); simply a matter of unplugging the
resistor module under the hood. Instructions available on line, either
at scoobymods, or on the NASIOC website.
Hope this helps.

Wow thanks so much for the detailed instructions!! I'm
not a mechanic so not good at these things but what you
say above sounds doable even by me. Again thanks

 

[me]

Pretty sure it's because of the DRLs: it gets hot when the
headlights are on all of the time.

Is this a common problem with Subaru's... i.e. that the
DRL get so hot as to cause connectors to melt?!

 

[S]

Hi!

Is this a common problem with Subaru's... i.e. that the
DRL get so hot as to cause connectors to melt?!

Well, I'd hesitate to state absolutely that it was caused by the
DRL's, but it isn't an uncommon problem; I've seen it on the missuses
(that a word d'ya suppose?) Forry as already mentioned, and on various
late model Legacys. At least some of the Legacys did _not_ have DRL's,
but some drivers (my SO for one) run with the headlights on all of the
time anyway. I suppose it's a safety issue; probably increases
visibility. I've seen some Soobies that use a different style lamp and
connector; never had trouble with one of those.

The problem might stem from having the lights on all of the time. Then
again, it might be just a marginal-from-the-manufacturer female
terminal in the connector that isn't gripping the lug on the lamp
tightly. Might be caused by improper removal of the connector (they
can be a bear, as I'm sure you've noticed), or be a loose terminal
resulting from too many mating cycles (heh!), or ???.

In any event, it's an easy DIY fix, the biggest problem is usually
moving stuff out of the way so you can get both hands in to work on
it. Having a spare connector in the glove box will virtually assure
that it never happens again

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101