Folks, I am NOT the owner of the 2009 MKZ I am writing about. Instead, it is owned by my Gal friend who also owns a 2001 Towncar. For the 3rd time in less than 2 years her low beam headlight bulb quit working. In fact, 2 years ago I could have sworn without using an ohm meter that the bulb looked to be good...yet swapped it out anyway and sure it worked...for a time!
I replaced the H11 bulb in 2020. Again in January 2021. One way of course is to reach in thru the access port in the wheel well. The other to completely remove the headlight assembly!
Not (1) person to "include" mechanics has pointed out what I found 2 weeks ago as the same low beam bulb seemed to go bad "again".
That is...not one person has identified the severe "crimp" that is put on the wire lead inside the "too-tight" round hole that the socket/bulb is inside of. I created a YouTube Vid - refer to: https://youtu.be/hCPwQMbRlro (copy and paste in your browser) revealing the fix!
Those being told by a shop/dealership to replace the entire headlight assembly? You have to be joking! A relay? Possibly! A fuse? Possibly but unless you use an Ohm meter to check out the bulb and if good, the pigtail lead can be bought for under $9.
Check that the 2 wires going IN TO the plug are not severed. Partial contact will give you a false read. It takes less than 15 minutes to pull out the headlight assembly to complete the change out of the 2 wire plug and offer assurance of a new/good set of wires going to the plug and bulb.
From a person who has changed out the entire headlight assembly with replacement (and not from a dealership) in his motorhome, Chevy Avalanche and Chevy Equinox due to severe fogging I look to alternatives to taking any vehicle to a dealership or mechanic if I can do the work myself. Granted many don't try!
But "before" any shop/dealership or friend tells you everything "but" the bulb socket leads itself as one extra alternative....this solution has now completed the job.
Oh and yes, the readout on her dash to begin with was a warning that a headlight was out. Once the repair was done? The fault cleared!
