Help with intermittent headlights

[Robster]

Hi all, help needed quickly!

I have a fiat punto 2002 and the headlamps are working intermittently, sometimes neither of the main lights are on, but if I tap the lense softly they come on, well sometimes one does, sometimes both of them, this also happens with the dipped beams. I have taken out the bulbs, checked them, looked at the wiring/connectors all looks clean and still this keeps happening.

long story short, this weekend I am doing some long trips with the family and don't want to risk driving at night with headlamps that I cannot trust.

any ideas, I have searched the world wide web and it seems to point to a bad earth. (the lights don't work till the holder is in place) but no solutions.

any advice very gratefully received!

thanks R

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Robster said:

I have searched the world wide web and it seems to point to a bad earth.

pull the bulbs out and clean up the bit they connect to with some fine sandpaper/scourer, check any cables that are bolted directly to the framework of the car and the headlight unit/wiring, if possible take the connector off and cleanup then refasten.

maybe replace the bulbs if they are looking a bit scabby?!

[bimsb6]

Can you run a temporary earth from the body ?

[Robster]

thanks guys, I will have to get up early and try these ideas, may have to take out/move headlamps as someone thought it would be a good idea to put a fuse box right behind the bulb holder!

[HellDiver]

Could be the indicator stalk broken. Common problem on the old Vauxhall Chevette - the stalk got mashed up inside, so sometimes when you went for dip you were plunged in to darkness.