jeanine25512

I've had my 2004 civic for 4 years(This will be a long, detailed thread). 2 weekends ago I noticed my headlights were very dim. About a week or 2 before that I had an oil change at Midas and they said my less than 2yr old battery needed to be replaced and that it was common for civics to run through batteries so I assumed it was now time for another new battery. My right side low beam had also recently gone dim with my right side high beam completely out. I went the next day and replaced the right side low beam and the battery. This resulted in both my low beams being very dim and my right side high beam still out. I had no problems until after going to Midas. Today, I had my 30+ yr diesel mechanic father help me to figure out why my lights were whacky. We first checked that I had the right bulbs, and I did. Next we checked the fuse box and low and behold, the fuse for my left side headlights was missing. We put a fuse in the missing spot and the lights were back to normal. Even my right side high beam was working again without replacing the bulb but my left side low beam was now out so we replaced that one too. We are both very confused as to why the fuse was missing. The box sits upright and is enclosed so there's no way it popped out on its own. If someone had deliberately removed this fuse, would the lights divert to running off the other headlight fuse stressing it with a higher than appropriate power surge? Was Midas possibly hoping I'd be back for diagnostics and such? Any insight helps!! :-) I'd rather find out that Midas was NOT trying to scam me and feel confident the next time I go there for an oil change because I really hate asking my dad to do any work for me. I was only there for an oil change and tire rotation. I assumed they checked my battery as a nice favor because it's winter. Has anyone heard of this or had it happen?

It Wasn't Me

Had you gone back and were charged/paid for diagnosis and/or repair your vehicle didn't need, then I would say that you had been scammed. I suppose it's possible one of the employees accidentally blew the fuse while changing the battery and they merely forgot to install a new one. Slim, but possible.

Seems a bit soon for a new battery, but it may have been defective. I always get a second opinion or load test my own battery before committing to buying a replacement.