# 2003 Ford Escape Headlights not working (Electrical?) **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** ford\ **Created:** [January 8, 2021, 9:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-ford-escape-headlights-not-working-electrical/174002 "2021-01-08T21:50:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![j.cogitation\_172512](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d9b06d/32.png) [@j.cogitation\_172512](https://community.cartalk.com/u/j.cogitation_172512)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2021, 9:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-ford-escape-headlights-not-working-electrical/174002/1 "2021-01-08T21:50:28Z")
2003 Ford Escape, asking for a friend. The left headlamp went out, so she went up to O’Reilly to get a replacement bulb. They put it in and it worked for three seconds, then went out again. And after they put it in, now the RIGHT headlamp only works on Brights, but not on lowbeams. (It’s one bulb for both lowbeam and brights.) Is there something electrical to check? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2021, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-ford-escape-headlights-not-working-electrical/174002/2 "2021-01-08T22:08:49Z")
The problem might be with the GEM. (generic electronic module) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/8/6/8604caa3ca6668adc6d18dded7eecf2340698403.jpeg) > **[More Modules Than You Can Shake A Stick At | KnowYourParts](https://www.knowyourparts.com/technical-resources/electrical/more-modules-than-you-can-shake-a-stick-at/)** > > Today’s cars have become like a mobile network of control modules. These control modules operate the powertrain, braking, steering, suspension and more. Tester ---
**Author:** ![j.cogitation\_172512](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d9b06d/32.png) [@j.cogitation\_172512](https://community.cartalk.com/u/j.cogitation_172512)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 2:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-ford-escape-headlights-not-working-electrical/174002/3 "2021-01-12T14:29:08Z")
Is there anything we could do to test or diagnose before buying a ~150 dollar part? It would cause other things to be not working correctly too, right? ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 11:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-ford-escape-headlights-not-working-electrical/174002/4 "2021-01-12T23:21:10Z")
It’s also remotely possible you have a bad multifunction switch but Tester is a mechanic while I’m not so trust his advice. A Ford shop should be able to test the GEM. ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 10:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-ford-escape-headlights-not-working-electrical/174002/5 "2021-01-15T10:39:35Z")
I assume you have a two filament bulb for the headlights. Check the voltage on the connections to the bulbs. If you have three wires going to the bulb one wire is common ground to both filaments.