Scary headlight problem!! :eek:

[Error404]

got a problem with my low beam on my headlights.

driving home from work today, dipped my healights only to discover i was in total darkness
Pulled over to have a look

* sidelights fine
* high beam fine
* No low beam

the low beam lamps are lit along with the high beam lamps on full beam. so all are working, just not when they are suopposed to - which is worrying!!

Any ideas? I thought probably the switch?
But then, how come the main beam works?

[Acidburn]

Probably the switch tbh for putting main beam on the stalk iirc.

[mcandmar]

The low beam lights are H4 bulbs with two elements inside, one for low beam one for high. And the other headlight has a single H1 bulb for high beam.

On low beam the H4 bulb is on, then on high beams it swithes to the other element inside the H4 bulb and also turns on the H1 bulb.

BUT if you hold the highbeam on as though you are flashing somebody it lights up all three elements. Point is if that works you know everything is ok up to the switch. ...i think

[Keeper of The Kitten]

I had this on an 80, was the column switch for me.

[S2_Dave]

Take the stalk apart and clean up the contacts in there. Worked for me on my 20V when I had exactly the same symptoms.

[S2_Dave]

If you've still got this problem mid-December you can have my stalk, as mine is coming out to be swapped for cruise control - I'm only a few junctions up the M42.

[Error404]

its ok guys, i've got a switch

I'll try swapping that tomorrow

Cheers
Alex

[Jas11n]

Twice was the switch for me too in the past.
In the old 2.3e coupe a track had actually burnt out (I bypassed it in the wiring outside of the stalk) and on the cq20v it only needed a clean of the tracks inside of the switch as S2_Dave suggests above.
Notice you say you have a switch, cool. But if you do take one apart, watch for silly tiny springs that either put your eye out, or disappear into the ether

[Error404]

yeah i've had the other side (wiper) apart and almost blinded myself

I'll try swapping the stalks first as i'm lazy

[Error404]

sorted. it was the switch as expected.

I may do a post mortem later to ascertian the cause of death.

[cexley]

sorted. it was the switch as expected.

I may do a post mortem later to ascertian the cause of death.

I'm on my 3rd stalk and still keep losing dip beam on my Coupe Quattro 20V. Did you discover the root cause? I'm not convinced it is the switch as I am losing dip beam every 6 months and rarely use the car at night.

[newsh]

On a couple of my cars it has been one of the pins that plugs into the switch

[dubmeister]

If the wiring is the same set up as the one VW use then the only way to stop the switch being fried (even more chance if running higher wattage bulbs) is to fit an uprated relay kit. My old mk1 used to fry one at least yearly, fitted a couple of relays and never had the problem again (and improved the lighting due to less voltage drop!!)

Heres a good DIY guide!!
http://www.matey-matey.com/uprated_h...t_wiring.shtml

HTH

[macspring]

For me,

the problem was the rear Avant wiper and washer did not work, was wondering if it was the wiring at the tailgate ala a B4 Cabrio Boot, it was.

But it was also the tracks on the column wiper switch which as mentioned, can be taken apart and "scratched" clean, but great care needs to be taken re small springs and other awkwardness as not really designed to be serviceable, but it is great feeling when one fixes it.

Kind regards.