Headlights are very dim

Headlights on my 03 Tundra switch on but are very dim. If I go to highbeam only passenger side works. driverside goes out. Does anyone have an idea of whats going on? My headlight lenses are new the bulbs are new my battery is good. I checked all my connections and cleaned them.

 

Need more info, are headlights hazed? If so that will dim performance. And you probably just have bulb burnt out if highbeam does not work on one side.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Check the connector to the back of the bulbs, they’re probably corroded increasing the resistance and burning the connector which will need to be replaced. Had it happen to me.

 

Are they halogens, or did you install LEDs without realizing there’s special shit you need to do when using LEDs on these trucks?

Did you have the battery tested?

Are you a lazy sod, with dirty terminals? Have you checked your terminals lately?

 

Wasn’t it @FirstGenVol or @FrenchToasty that was having this issue recently with some crap replacement headlights?

 

Welcome to the forum..

The first thing I would check is for corrosion on the battery clamps..
Tundras are notorious for thin layers of corrosion fucking everything up..

Good luck..

 

Yes but unique situation for me. Mine are a custom hack job.

 

My headlight lenses are new the bulbs are new my battery is good and I checked all the connections and cleaned them

 

Check fuses. Check relays. Check wiring for loose/broken connections. If the bulbs are new, sounds like a loose connection where the wiring connects to the bulb. What bulbs are you running? Are they seated correctly in the housing? Have you tried adjusting the headlights? Maybe they are out of whack, thus lighting the roadway poorly.

You mention the driver side goes out with the high beams. At each headlight bulb connection, there are 3 wires. A common ground, a positive for the low beam, and a positive for the high beam. The low beam is not powered while the high beam is on, the bulbs wouldn't last for long with both elements burning during high beam operation. Check to make sure one of these connections isn't loose in the bulb socket.

 

Might I suggest, for as little at $10 you can obtain this invaluable tool to help solve all sorts of electrical problems:

$10 Digital Multimeter Voltage Tester, Assark 2000 Counts Multimeter Measure AC DC Voltage DC Current, Meter Tester Test Volt Ohm Amp Diode Continuity,Resistance,Backlit LCD Display,Data Hold Function

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKT4TDCB

 

You skipped over possibly the most important question I asked above: Are the new bulbs halogen or LED?

If LED, specifically what brand and model? And what steps did you take when installing them? Did you cut any wires?