Front Headlight Electrical Problems

[alastairw]

My 1999 Carrera has developed a very strange electrical problem with the front near side lights. Side lights, dip beam and indicators all work OK, however the main beam does not (the bulb comes on but very dim). Also when on main beam the indicator does not work (the rear and side indicators do flash but very slowly) and the dip beam light seems to pulse. Take the main beam off and the indicator starts again! I can also get the same symptoms if I put the front fogs on. The fog light does not work and neither do the indicators. Switch the fogs off and the indicator starts working again! No such problems with the off side front lights.

I have changed all the bulbs and checked the connectors so am at a loss to know what to do next. Any ideas?

[demosan]

My 1999 Carrera has developed a very strange electrical problem with the front near side lights. Side lights, dip beam and indicators all work OK, however the main beam does not (the bulb comes on but very dim). Also when on main beam the indicator does not work (the rear and side indicators do flash but very slowly) and the dip beam light seems to pulse. Take the main beam off and the indicator starts again! I can also get the same symptoms if I put the front fogs on. The fog light does not work and neither do the indicators. Switch the fogs off and the indicator starts working again! No such problems with the off side front lights.

I have changed all the bulbs and checked the connectors so am at a loss to know what to do next. Any ideas?

aw,

Strange light problems like this can be caused by the light switch itself going bad. I would try moving the switch from on to off several times in sucession to see if the problem syptoms change. If so you need to replace the switch, which you can find a DYI instructions in this forum.

Good Luck!! demosan

[alastairw]

OK, will give it a try although I would have thought I would have had the same symptoms on both front lights rather than just on one side.

Al

[demosan]

OK, will give it a try although I would have thought I would have had the same symptoms on both front lights rather than just on one side.

Al

AW,

If the light switch appears OK, then remove the headlight assy that appears to be intermittent and apply contact cleaner to the contacts and reinstall. DO you have halogen headlamps or xenon's?? xenon's??

Good luck!! Demosan B)

[alastairw]

Hi,

They are halogens... will try the contact cleaner today and let you know how it goes.

Al

[1bridog]

interestingly enough, i have a similar issue...

the driver's side xenon light does not fire immediately. The passenger side no prob?? It takes a few to many tries of on-off switching before it finally comes on. Haven't found out why yet.

[Stefan]

The dim light is probably not the actual headlight, but a small 5W marker bulb inside the headlight housing.

It sounds to me like your headlights are not properly seated or you have corrosion on the connector for the headlight housing. Just because the headlight is in tight doesn't mean that the connector is seated properly.

You can try (gently) pushing on each headlight while the turn indicator is on to see if that affects the connection.

[alastairw]

I tried the contact cleaner and now have fully functioning lights again. Good news :D

[demosan]

I tried the contact cleaner and now have fully functioning lights again. Good news :D

AW,

Good job!! Sounds like you have the problem solved and have avoided the OPC route tha twould have costs you a lot more than a spray can of contact cleaner!!

Demosan :cheers: