driving in the dark?

[ardvaark]

Had the interesting pleasure of both my dipped beams failing at the same time on Sunday evening as I was heading home in the dark. Didn't realise I only had sidelights until I left the street lit area. I've replaced both the bulbs and things seem ok. Anybody else experienced this?

[zumbruk]

I'd be inclined to check the voltage being applied to them. Headlamp bulbs are quite sensitive to overvolts.

[ardvaark]

Where is the easiest place to check the voltage? I don't want to have to take a wheel off if I don't have to. I presume there's a fuse I could get at to measure the voltage.

I'm wondering if the lights were on before I started the engine if the alternator could have "spiked" them.

[tapchapman]

I had this happen to me (97R Chimaera) last winter ... quite exciting doing 60 under road lights then realising that I couldn't see as the road lights stopped. In my case a fuse had blown, once replaced all was OK. They did find some *interesting* wiring that has since been sorted out - lots of circuits (dashboard, front and rear lights, fog lights, mostly everything useful really) were all on the same fuse. Might be worth having that checked on yours.

[bouffy]

You should try driving a Griff when the lights are WORKING!!

I couldn't believe how bad the headlights are, after having a Chimaera for some time...they're like the Chim's sidelights. No wonder all Griffs have the massive fog light jobbies, too. Mind you, these are pretty awesome and you can see for miles and miles and miles and...a long way, anyway.

[lightspeed]

I had a similar interesting pleasure once..

Was up in the lakes, trundling back to the hotel in the dark round the twisties with full beam on. Saw some lights about to round the corner in front, so dutifully flicked the stalk back to "dip" only to find the view out of the windscreen plunge into complete darkness!!! Cant see a thing through the oncoming lights, no idea where the road was going except that it was going left when the lights went out, so no choice but to go back to main beam, much to the dismay of the oncoming vehicle. Rears were still on, so indicate to let the car behind pass, then follow him to the nearest town (sidelights only) to have a look.

Wierd thing was, once I stopped at a petrol station for a look, turned the lights on and off, everything was back to normal and hasn't gone wrong since. Must either have been a stuck relay, or it decided to scare the pants off me for a laugh.

[mrmaggit]

I agree with Bouffy. I think Wol will be having a set of those lights from the TVR Bodyshop when I've saved up a bit.

maggit