Dipped beams not working!

[endorfin]

As you may've already read I've bought this 1995 XM 2.5TD VSX off ebay without mot, one of the fail items was dipped beams not working. I assumed it would just be bulbs. Should've known it wouldn't be anything this simple with an XM!

I replaced the bulbs, checked the fuses, both were fine (replaced fuses anyway). Main beams, foglamps & sidelights all work fine. Used a multimeter to check current from dipped beam fuses, no current at all, I get a reading of 5.5 from the main beam fuses so I know the multimeter is working.

Not entirely sure where the relay is but from what others have posted on here before its on the offside front of the engine compartment behind offside headlamp. Found a green relay and exchanged it with an identical spare that I had, no change.

If its a fault with the stalk then main beam wouldn't stay on by itself as you have to put dipped beams on before main beam will stay on?

Got to take it for mot this week before tax runs out & it will obviously fail on the headlamps, any help appreciated!

[hobblerian]

EDIT! *Definitely drivers side single relay my mistake, just been and removed relay and no dipped lights!

Should be on nearside (uk, battery side) behind headlamp, should be 1,2 or 3 relays in a row, depending on model and trim. Usually black and not green, second thoughts heres a picture-



Just a removal and clean up of the contacts may be all it needs as they are susceptable to corrosion in the daft place they are situated, I had all mine out and gave them a good coat of copperslip before reinstalling.

[robert_e_smart]

Good to see someone else using HID Xenons.

Which kit did you use Ian? I have a HIDs direct kit in one car, and its better than an el cheapo Chinese kit I had in another. The el cheapo kit created some radio interference. Otherwise it was fine. The HIDs direct kit caused no interference.

[andmcit]

Must be a s2 thing as I've just gone outside and wobbled my relays (as you do! ) and on
the handy s1.5 K plater the x2 on the driver's side above the headlight are the lights - the outer
of the pair is the dip relay.

Do you know for certain the relay you're trying is a good one - try swapping it with the inner
main beam one?

If that fails, I'll have a looksee at a nearby s2 - it's just a longer walk in the dark!!

Andrew

[hobblerian]

MY MISTAKE it is single one on drivers side, just been and pulled it out and no dipped lights!

Good to see someone else using HID Xenons.


Which kit did you use Ian? I have a HIDs direct kit in one car, and its better than an el cheapo Chinese kit I had in another. The el cheapo kit created some radio interference. Otherwise it was fine. The HIDs direct kit caused no interference.

I've got two kits, one on main one on dipped, ones canbus ones not, the non canbus is on the dipped lights and does give radio interference, been meaning to swap them over and see if that makes a difference. I bought myself a kit just before christmas and my dad got me one for as a present to. So instead of sending one kit back fitted both.

The only draw back is main beam takes a little while to get going on first use. But once its warmed up it may aswell be daylight. Both are 50w kits, and I've changed the side lights to high output white leds to match with blue/white light instead if the dirty yellow they were before.

[Assich]

My 1999 V6 definitely has the relay on the drivers side (RH side). I gave up cleaning the contacts in the connector and ripped them out. I intend to solder on a wiring extension and re-site the relay away from the moisture that gets to it at this location. I only went for HID's on dipped as they seemingly don't like being flashed on the main beam. So much better at night now.

[endorfin]

Fixed!

Thanks everyone.

Turned out to be dirty connectors on the relay socket (black relay behind driver's headlamp)

Used a bit of WD40 & wiggled it & they came on. They are tempremental though, another wiggle & they come back, when I've a bit more time will give the contacts a proper clean.