Headlights

fdj12 · Post by **fdj12** » 03 Jun 2003, 02:37

I have just done my weekly check of oil water etc etc etc and checking the lights I notice that when i try to switch headlights on all i get is the side lights, if i flick main beam everything is ok, but take main beam off all i get is side lights. IS it..........
a. Fuses if so any idea which one as I dont have handbook.
b. Bulbs.
c. Has the switch gone.
or all of the above LOL.
Thanks in advance.
Dave

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 03 Jun 2003, 03:14

Dave -
Sorry - but it's hard to remember all the car models each individual member here owns/drives [:D][:D]

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 03 Jun 2003, 03:17

At a guess, I'd say possibly the dip switch has faulty contacts which are not making contact on the low beam.
Try wriggling the dipper switch when in the low beam position & see if the lights try to come on. Can on some switches just be loose innards but usually they are a non repairable item requiring replacement.
Alan S

NiSk · Post by **NiSk** » 03 Jun 2003, 03:20

Anders! It's a Xantia 1800 SX (look at his previous entry!)
If it was an XM I'd definitly say it was a relay sticking, but I don't know if the Xantia has the same set up.
//NiSk

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 03 Jun 2003, 03:45

Ok NiSk - missed that.
Older cars (like BX/CX) have no fuses in the lights circuits.
The Xantia belongs to a newer generation of cars equipped with fused lights circuits.
Furthermore each side's headlamp got's each own separate fuses for main/dip - and the wiring for each side's headlamps are separate all the way from the fuse box.
Funny thing is, that the instrument panel indicators are working directly off the lighting switch - i.e. BEFORE the fuses.
This means that the panel indicators can tell you the lighting switch is in fact working, but the fuses and/or the headlamp bulbs/cabling may still be at fault. Unlikely to have both side's headlamps circuits failing at one time though, since they also have separate earth wirings. But still could be a combination of 2 independent fault types each headlamp - like a blown dip (bulb) in one headlamp & a blown fuse for the other.
The fuses are :
RHS main (hi beam) : F12
LHS main (hi beam) : F13
RHS dip (low beam) : F14
LHS dip (low beam) : F15

Dave Burns · Post by **Dave Burns** » 03 Jun 2003, 03:53

Not trying to switch fogs on by mistake, same stalk easily done[:I]
Dave

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 03 Jun 2003, 04:06

[:D][:D] We've all tried that - have'nt we [:D][:D]

fdj12 · Post by **fdj12** » 03 Jun 2003, 15:20

OOPS>>>>>>>>>>Sorry Anders, about the make and model, but thanks for the advice, I will try.
Dave