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Topic: headlights (Read 843 times) |
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ashley
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Hi folks wonder if you can help. My headlights came on for no apparent reason whilst the car was locked. I have checked the fuse boxes and both appear dry. At first glance there seems nothing wrong with the light switch. None of the rear lights are on just the headlights The main beam warning light is also dimly lit. Welcome any advice Thanks Ashley
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Simmo
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Re: headlights
« Reply #1 on: Aug 26th, 2011, 2:39pm » |
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Have you removed the large multipin connector to the main,drivers side, fusebox?. The usual cause of 'headlights only' is that the plug has been removed and not replaced correctly. It will appear to be ok BUT is actually one row of pins out. There are two lugs on the unit which MUST be located correctly in the housing BEFORE you push in down. Have a look at This post which is found in 'How to do things' It was put there because this is a common problem when the connector has been removed and it requires a bit of patience and dexterity to get it correctly located.
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ashley
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Re: headlights
« Reply #2 on: Aug 26th, 2011, 7:43pm » |
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Hi Simmo, and thanks no I have not removed any plugs infact the car has not had any faults that is the strange thing, is the car was standing locked, when I passed an hour or so latter some one knocked to let me know the lights were on.
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Snoopy
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Very old.BAD tempered and missing friends.
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Re: headlights
« Reply #3 on: Aug 27th, 2011, 6:54am » |
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Check the ashtray! See if it is shorting out as it can do and cause some very strange problems, other than that I would suggest water in the fuse box even though it appears dry.
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Mike H
Senior Member
Renault Clio
Posts: 2594
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Re: headlights
« Reply #4 on: Aug 27th, 2011, 4:54pm » |
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Can look dry on top, but still have a puddle underneath, hidden like. Are the scuttle drains clear?
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Mike H
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ashley
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Re: headlights
« Reply #5 on: Aug 27th, 2011, 7:34pm » |
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Hi all, thanks for the suggestions. Yes all the drains are clear and checked all the suggestions made. Whilst checking the headlight switch I had it removed and the lights went out, however after a few minutes I noticed the lights were back on even with the switch removed .Thanks Ashley
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Scorpio_Mike
Senior Member
Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 & 2.8 Sierra XR4i 4x4
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Re: headlights
« Reply #6 on: Aug 27th, 2011, 8:32pm » |
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No signs of any melting of the plastic connector block which goes to the back of the headlight switch ? Heard of that happening before.
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Scorpio
Full Member
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Re: headlights
« Reply #7 on: Aug 27th, 2011, 8:55pm » |
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Had the same problem on one of mine. I traced it to a faulty relay. If it reappears try and listen for a relay buzz in the fuse box.
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Mike H
Senior Member
Renault Clio
Posts: 2594
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Re: headlights
« Reply #8 on: Aug 29th, 2011, 12:13pm » |
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Does seem that way don't it?
Relay contacts can end up "spot welded" together then it's permanently "on". Or they've deformed or got a "whisker" and occasionally make contact when they shouldn't.
Is it dip or main? Dip is R3 & main is R6 in main fusebox, next time it happens try pulling out whichever, problee need a new relay by the sounds of it
BTW where high current is involved (such as headlights) the slightest contact resistance creates heat, could be summat plastic has melted inside the relay stopping the moving contact from opening properly, have had plenty of those sorts of problems with a certain brand of mains timer which is supposed to be 13 Amp rated 
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Mike H
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ashley
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Re: headlights
« Reply #9 on: Aug 30th, 2011, 10:55pm » |
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Hi One and all, and many thanks for all help advice etc, I think I have solved the problem, it was a mixture between a relay and dampness. When I went to pull out one of the relays I noticed it was not seated properly and some corrosion had occurred and some dampness was also noticed. I removed it cleaned the spades on the relay, also used a hair dryer to drive any dampness that may have been left away and all is now working correctly. The only thing I had done that could have allowed the dampness was to park the car with the front facing uphill, (I normally park front facing downhill). I think this had allowed a small amount of rainwater during a tremendous thunderstorm not to run out of the drain holes as normal and effect the unseated relay. Many thanks again one and all Ashley
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Simmo
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Re: headlights
« Reply #10 on: Aug 31st, 2011, 7:13am » |
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Good to hear you are sorted.
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Mike H
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Renault Clio
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Re: headlights
« Reply #11 on: Sep 9th, 2011, 6:44pm » |
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Ditto, now soak the lot with WD40 
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Mike H
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