L18msy Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I have tried a search but didn't bring up any answers so im gonna pick your brains. Both my dipped beam have stopped working all of a sudden and was wondering if any of you lot have had the same bother? I didn't have much time to try and find a fault today only got a quick look in the fusebox under the bonnet. Both fuses were fine, are there any relays or other fuses i need to check. The sidelamps, full beam and fogs are working just the main beam throwing the towel in. I have HIDs fitted and thought it might be the ballasts away but find it strange that both have went at the same time. Thanks in advance. There is a pint in it at pod for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 HID lights need a certain voltage to work, ie. if they are not getting that voltage the ballasts won't light the bulbs, it could be a battery problem or bad earth. Try connecting the ballasts/bulbs directly to the battery and see if the work okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L18msy Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 Thanks Nic, will give that a go. I fitted a new battery not too long ago as the other one was looking tatty so im hoping it aint that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Blyth Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 (edited) It looks like there are two points where a single failure could take out both headlights: The headlight relay and the common ground (G100 at the bottom right). If you've got a voltmeter, check on each of the terminals of the headlight connectors with the headlights turned on to see if you're getting 12V compared with the chassis. If one of them is 12V it points to a bad ground; if you don't get 12V it points to the headlight relay in the main fusebox. I doubt it's the 50A main fuse as you don't mention any other failures. Edited February 14, 2011 by Andy Blyth (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L18msy Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 Don't think it is the 50A fuse either mate as i had power at the 15A fuses. It is looking like the relay is away. Is the relay down in the footwell fusebox? Thanks for the diagram, that sheds some light onto the subject, I'll get my coat:run: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Blyth Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Just off the page in my diagram, it says that the headlight relay is in the main fuse box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L18msy Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 Thanks again i will give it a go at lunchtime tomorrow, if i get a lunchtime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 (edited) Get HID harness, HID's cannot start up because of low voltage. Links HERE With this harness your headlight relay will only works as a small signal impulse to start up HID's, but HIDs themself will be powered straight from battery. Edited February 15, 2011 by Konrad (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Mine has just done exactly the same thing and I am using a HID wiring harness. I've been all over the wiring with a multimeter and so far everything checks out. Very strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L18msy Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 It ended up my hid kit blew up, i think water managed to get into one of the ballasts. I got power up to the plug on the original harness but nothing after that. So new hid kit fitted and everything is good again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 I feared that might be the case. Which HID kit did you get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Stop hooking your piercings up to the battery terminals while they are still on the car and you won't have this issue. It may be fun but it isn't big nor is it clever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L18msy Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 I feared that might be the case. Which HID kit did you get? I got a slimline 8000k kit from a seller on ebay can't remember the make. Was only £50, there are cheaper ones but just don't trust them. Stop hooking your piercings up to the battery terminals while they are still on the car and you won't have this issue. It may be fun but it isn't big nor is it clever. How is the single project getting on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 How is the single project getting on? Still married bud Won't actually be starting it until the winter. Going to enjoy my car for a little while, it has spent FAR too much time in the garage. Hoping to get a car seat in soon so that I can use it during the week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 It ended up my hid kit blew up, i think water managed to get into one of the ballasts. I got power up to the plug on the original harness but nothing after that. So new hid kit fitted and everything is good again. I spent a bit more time on mine with the multimeter, concentrating on voltage (not just continuity) and found the problem: with a HID wiring harness in place there's nothing between the battery and the ballast units other than the 'new' relay (switched when you turn your lights on); when the meter told me that the voltage at the ballast was just 6V (reading the specs, most need at least 8v to kick), I realised then the rest was across the relay (and the resistance must be about the same as the non-working ballast to half the voltage). The relay looked OK but as soon as I disconnected the socket, I could see pin 30 was completely black/burnt. Now I'm sure these wiring harnesses are the best way to add HID but for their all-in cost (~£4), they're probably not using the best quality components. The replacement relay (admittedly from from Halfrauds - only place open after work) cost more than a fiver ... Here's hoping I never have to get that bottom nut on/off the rhs light - without fear of dropping the thing - ever again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 hey peeps. im running HIDs as well and my main beam and dipped beam has failed. when removing the HID hardness im reading no voltage what so ever from the original light plugs. first thing i changed the bulb and when i checked the voltage nothing was coming out, zero. checked all fuses. i have noticed a clicking when i switch the lights on tho, which means the relay is working but maybe the contacts are gone. have only noticed it due to turning lights on with bonnet up and being able to hear it. havent had a chance to buy a new one yet just thought id see what u lot thought? :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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