Help, Headlights Dead!

[robertjp]

I recently upgraded my headlamps with new wiring and new bulbs, It all worked perfectly until last night. For some reason i seem to have lost the function of the switch for side lights / dipped beam. No light at all. I didnt even touch the sidelight wiring!

Tried unplugging black control boxes to no avail (no evident burning anywhere either), and the rotary switch seems to be well attached to cables.

The main beam switch still works fine (the bulbs work using that), as do other buttons on steering wheel.

Are there any checks i can make / fuses i can check to see whats happened?

[Tyre Smoke]

Have you tried a direct live from the battery to the lamps to see if they've blown?

Stranger things have happened, I had exactly the same happen on my old Ford Cortina, I refused point blank to believe that both bulb filaments had blown at the same time and checked everything for ages before checking the bulbs - and yes they had.

Have you upgraded the power of the bulbs? If so, have you sorted out higher spec wiring?

What exactly have you done?

[robertjp]

Bulbs are fine, they switch on full beam switch, which means my part of the wiring is still OK on the full beam circuit in any case.

In brief i put in two relays, fed (via a fuse) directly from the battery, switched by the original supply cables. One relay for dipped beam, one for main beam. Its a copy of the modwise upgrade.

So, bulbs OK, main beam circuit OK...

[Steve_T]

Dip/main bulbs have two separate filaments, so it is possible it's just the bulbs that have gone. It'd be unlucky and since they're awkward to get at, I'd probably look at these last. I've got pretty much the same setup on my motorbike and have had a relay and a fuse go, so I'd check both of these first. Do you hear the dip beam relay switch? Might be worth grabbing a willing assistant for this.

Steve.

>> Edited by Steve_T on Tuesday 7th March 17:33

[cerber450]

I had this last year it was the fuses in the rear. Check all of them as the one in the hand book for the lights wasn't the one blown!

Craig.

[david beer]

Easiest way to test is put the battery supply to the relay coil positive, if they come on its before the new relay. If not its the wiring from the relay or bulbs. Of course make sure it the positive side of the coil otherwise there will be quits a spark.

[robertjp]

Thanks guys i will check all of these