Problem solved.
It was a combo solution from djomlas and Jim.
A continuity check showed no connection in the lowbeam - but as suggested by djomlas, I had mistaken it for the highbeam. I visually inspected both bulbs the first time I tried this but they both looked okay.
Even though the bulb appears to be intact it was bad. Confirmed by switching low and high bulbs (continuity shifted to low but none in high). Replaced bad bulb and all is fine.
The real question is should I keep the multimeter I just bought
I think I'll keep it.