Highbeam lights OK dip to Lowbeam nothing

lukearama · Postby **lukearama** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:53 pm

Hi, my car has developed this problem over a period of time and now it won't turn the lowbeam on at all. Worse still I to get a road worthy tomorrow.

Has anyone had thsi probelm before???

Going down to check relay first...
All other appliances OK so earth should not be the issue.
has anyone needed to change combination switch because of this problem?
Std head lamps 55/60 fitted so no current draw issues...

Any experience on this would be apprecitated.

cheers Luke

lukearama · Postby **lukearama** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:11 pm

checked engine bay.. no relay where its mean to be...

checked manual. appears US model had relay and Canada Model did not....

Will work on the idea that it is the combination switch.

Does anyone have experience "servicing" these item or are they a strait replacement only???

cheers

Locutus · Postby **Locutus** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:26 pm

start with the basics.

do your parkers work?
have you checked the fuses, both inside the cabin and in the engine bay?

lukearama · Postby **lukearama** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:12 pm

Fixed...

OK for others reference.

The fault was traced to the combination switch on the steering column.

It wasn't broken just a case of dirty contacts.

to clean remove the cowling around the combination switch. five screws accesed from under the steering column. carfully separate the clam shell.

DO NOT REMOVE STEERING WHEEL.

now remove two wiring harness plugs that go into switch. one on top (white) one tucked next to key barrel.

You can then access a small philips head screw. remove this. It allows the switch to separate slightly... undo the clip to separate the switch a couple of mil..

now if you operate the light switch you will see a small white plastic component move up and down. This contains the contacts.... Spray with contact cleaner or is you have none RP7. operate the switch while you do so. catch the drips on a rag.

wipe up the mess and install the small screw to the switch then plug in your wiring harness.
The problem should have dissapeared...

good luck to all who might get this problem.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Wed Apr 06, 2011 2:20 pm

I once had the same problem - both low beam filaments had blown but highs were fine. Just needed new globes.

lukearama · Postby **lukearama** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 12:19 am

I have found the fault.

It was not the lamps or the fuses or the relay (which doesn't exist in my model) it was the combination switch (the switch on the steering column).

I have posted the fix for the next person who gets the same issue. Note this problem starts with an intermitent problem when you switch from high beam to low beam then it completely fails.