Mainbeam Headlamps failure

[S2Mike]

Just wondered if anyone can shed a little light on where to find a lack of main beam headlamps, all other lights work as they should and even the mainbeam warning light comes on, even when headlamp flash is used but nowt from bulbs.
I guess at relay but which is it? When switching from dipped to main all but the sidelights go out. MOT coming up soon.
Cheers guys.

[Oldred_V8S]

S2Mike said:

Just wondered if anyone can shed a little light on where to find a lack of main beam headlamps, all other lights work as they should and even the mainbeam warning light comes on, even when headlamp flash is used but nowt from bulbs.
I guess at relay but which is it? When switching from dipped to main all but the sidelights go out. MOT coming up soon.
Cheers guys.

15 amp fuse. The wiring diagram I have shows the fuse could fail but the WL would still light.

[phillpot]

Start from one end or other with a meter, bulb end until you find power or switch end until you loose power.

A common "problem" area is the wiring connections down by the bonnet hinges.

Could be fuse by why has it blown? Lost dip beam on mine recently, fuse was blowing because connections on fuse holder were loose causing "hot spot".
There are a lot of cheap fuses out there, the connecting blades are thinner so are not a tight fit into connectors, I try and get spare fuses from scrap cars so they are manufacturers quality.
There was a post on another PH forum a while back, guy had bought a selection box of fuses from Ebay rated from 5 to 35 amp, tested them, they all blew at over 30amps!

Switch is possible but as you have neither main beam nor flash I'd have thought unlikely?




Do you have a wiring diagram?


good luck with the MOT !




What you need is a nice easy access fuse box

[S2Mike]

Ahh, thanks for the ideas chaps, lost internet for a couple of days as well. Problems come in threes they say.
Mmmmm will contort under the passenger footwell and check the fuses.
I did " wiggle" the wiring down by the bonnet hinge with no effect. All been re-connected and sealed/wrapped waterproofed, so hopefully not necessary to unwrap them.
In the process checked all the other electrical devices and all works spot on, , if a little slow in the case of the wipers but they do sweep the windscreen.
Late home tonight so too dark to get out there now, will check tomorrow.

[S2Mike]

Well thanks to you both , Mike and Paul, fuse was the problem, 15 amp, burnt away actually, not just blown. Thats what threw me, with the warning light still working. So in daylight I will try cleaning up and tensioning the socket, seems a bit sloppy, hopefully nothing more sinister causing the heat build up. Will try and source some decent ( thicker ) quality fuses, as you recommend. 10amp in place as temporary measure, with no planned night driving before the weekend.

[Elfit]

I had that problem twice. In my case it was the contacts in the lighting stalk that had burnt out. I put a relay in the circuit and ever since have had bright headlights and no problems.
Cheers
Tim