I've got one that has me stumped . . .

2010 Focus SEL . . . and the other night both low beams went out at the same time.

I checked the fuses . . they are fine.

High beams work fine as do the fog lights.

I'm trying to figure out what (perhaps a switch or relay) would cause both lights to go out at the same time.

Any help appreciated.

My parents Mazda3 did the exact same thing about three weeks ago. Everything worked except the low beams. Some how both light bulbs burnt out at the same time. I don't know why it did it but we installed new bulbs and it is working fine for now. I'm interested to see if anyone has any answers too because we don't want to buy two new bulbs again.

I've considered that. I have PIAA Super White bulbs I put in about a year ago. Seems like a real stretch that they would both go out at the same time . . . but it sounds, based on your experience, that anything is possible. I still have the stock lamps and may have to try replacing one of them.

For some reason . . . as I recall, it was a real project to change the lamp in the 2010. I'll have to look and see if there are any pointers here.

Thanks for the reply.

It's not that difficult, but you have to do more than you'd expect.

1) Remove the four (4) push pins on the top of the grill
2) Pop the two (2) catches on the bottom of the grill. This is the most annoying part. I just wedge a long flat head under each of the catches, then pull the grill out.
3) Remove the grill by pulling forward to finish releasing the catches
4) Use a 10mm socket to remove the three (3) bolts on each lamp housing
5) Carefully and slowly pull the headlight housing up and out. There is a spring clamp that keeps the bottom of the housing secure, so it will require a decent amount of force. Thus the slowly. You don't want to rip it out and mess up any wires.
6) Unhook the plug from the bulb
7) Unscrew the bulb, replace
8) Installation is the opposite of removal.

Thank you very much . . .

As much as I enjoy this Focus, I have to say it's a car that doesn't lend itself to simple tasks like chaning bulbs and checking fuses. I recently changed a tail light and, as I recall, that also required removing some panels and removing the entire housing.

Thanks again . . . I'll see if I can get this sorted out.

^^Agreed. I removed my tails a couple weeks ago to clean some crud that had built up in the top seam and it was way more work than any taillight removal I've done on any of my previous cars. I'd really hate to tackle it on the roadside, at night in the rain, to change a burned-out bulb.

Well . . . apparently it WAS both bulbs going at once. **GUESSES** are that there is something in the circuitry that caused a spike when one bulb went and took out the other. Regardless . . the fine folks at PIAA came through immediately and have a set of replacements on the way.

Thanks to all for the help . . . The challenge, with the Focus, seems to be just getting to the bulbs. As soon as the new ones arrive . . . I'll start getting my practice.

Thanks again,
Courtney

Courtney,
Have you tried calling Ford's service number to inquire about this? It seems like a power surge if they both went out at once.

Incidentally, the Mazda 3 is built by Ford, so it makes sense they share familial problems.

Hammy

I didn't. I mailed a letter . . but it's not a big deal. PIAA came through with 2 sets of free lights promptly and we'll see what happens. Not sure how long I'll have the Focus. It started out as a temporary while a new car was on order . . but it's kind of turned into a family favorite. Impressive car.

Courtney,

It's good to hear that the car is a family favorite. I did quite a bit of research before I bought this 2010 and no one has put this much technology into a car under 40k. I read in Consumer Reports that the 2012 was a much better car than the 2010, but I figured it would be a minor difference. Wrong again! That car has a better engine (more power, better mileage), a better transmission, and a better suspension. In fact, I was comparing it to my brother's Audi A4, which is a terrific car. Ford has a more advanced valve system (variable on air intake as well as exhaust), higher compression, and an aluminum block, head, pistons etc (a4 has Al heads). The Audi has a turbo that gives it 7.1 second 1-60, but the Ford does it in 8.0- and a turbo version is coming. Of course, the 2012 was probably designed by engineers stolen by Audi. Whatever works!