# Headlight Flicker - Dr. Diagnosis **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [March 25, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/headlight-flicker-dr-diagnosis/65121 "2009-03-25T20:57:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![steve1](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/steve1/32/7283_2.png) [@steve1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve1)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/headlight-flicker-dr-diagnosis/65121/1 "2009-03-25T20:57:58Z")
When i run my headlights in the dark they have the tendency to flicker every few minutes but it only flickers for a second. it’s quite weird since they make a clicking sound (like a baby nursing 5 times in 1 second) and flicker and go back to normal… just wondering if it was an electrical problem or a battery problem. i bought a new battery for my car about 2-3 years ago…idk just wondering if anyone has an idea. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 9:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/headlight-flicker-dr-diagnosis/65121/2 "2009-03-25T21:16:59Z")
I just noticed my civic does the same thing, except my headlights get brighter for a second then dim back down. In for an answer. ---
**Author:** ![66impalass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/66impalass/32/7429_2.png) [@66impalass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/66impalass)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/headlight-flicker-dr-diagnosis/65121/3 "2009-03-25T21:26:39Z")
halogen or HID? ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/headlight-flicker-dr-diagnosis/65121/4 "2009-03-25T21:29:36Z")
Halogen for me. Wouldnt HID most likely be failing ballast? ---
**Author:** ![steve1](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/steve1/32/7283_2.png) [@steve1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve1)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/headlight-flicker-dr-diagnosis/65121/5 "2009-03-25T21:29:59Z")
2004 Subaru WRX Car Light Bulb Size Guide _Low Beam Headlight Bulb Size: H1-55W_ High Beam Headlamp Light Bulb Size: 9005 Parking Light Bulb Size: 168 Front Turn Signal Light Bulb Size: 7440 Rear Turn Signal Light Bulb Size: 992 (7440A) Tail Light Bulb Size: 7443 Stop Light Bulb Size: 7440 or 7443 High Mount Stop Light Bulb Size: 921 Fog/Driving Light Bulb Size: H3-55W License Plate Light Bulb Size: 168 Back Up Light Bulb Size: 7440 Front Side Marker Light Bulb Size: 168 Rear Sidemarker Light Bulb Size: 168 Ash Tray Light Bulb Size: 74 Map Light Bulb Size: DE3175 Dome Light Bulb Size: DE3175 Trunk/Cargo Area Light Bulb Size: 921 ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 3:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/headlight-flicker-dr-diagnosis/65121/6 "2009-03-26T03:44:39Z")
Sounds like a bad relay. Headlights drawn enough power that they can’t be controled directly by that little switch inside the car. When you turn the switch all you’re doing is supplying power to a smaller wire that powers a relay to snap open, allowing current to pass through the higher amp, heavy gauge wire going to the lights. That clicking is most likely the relay fluttering between open and closed. The relay is in the fuse box in the engine bay. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 4:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/headlight-flicker-dr-diagnosis/65121/7 "2009-03-26T04:52:48Z")
Could be the relay, could be a loose wire on the switching side of the circuit. I’d replace the relay first, though. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 7:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/headlight-flicker-dr-diagnosis/65121/8 "2009-03-26T07:15:20Z")
> [@newman](#): > > Could be the relay, could be a loose wire on the switching side of the circuit. > > I’d replace the relay first, though. Ill give that a shot. maybe swap it with one from somewhere else before I go actually purchase one. ---
**Author:** ![97FormulaWS-6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/97formulaws-6/32/7384_2.png) [@97FormulaWS-6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/97FormulaWS-6)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 7:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/headlight-flicker-dr-diagnosis/65121/9 "2009-03-26T07:22:02Z")
Yup; I’d agree as well. Most likely bad relay or ground. If you had HIDs and they were doing this, then I’d say Bad Bulb or an almost dead bulb. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/headlight-flicker-dr-diagnosis/65121/10 "2009-04-12T15:26:28Z")
I changed the main engine ground, it was pretty rusty. It still does it though. All the lights on the whole car dim and/or get brighter together. I think its usually dim and everything will get bright for a second then go back. I checked the alternator at idle and it had a consistent 14.5 or so for a minute or two.