Head light issues

jcmx79 · Postby **jcmx79** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 8:14 pm

Hi all, anyone had an issue of low beam not working... then when high beams are on i get low beam. I've checked the globes. Done some reading I'm thinking headlight switch? Any help would be awesome thanks.

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Regie · Postby **Regie** » Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:32 am

You sure it's low beam you are getting when you pull the stalk?

Maybe the low beam part of both globes are blown. Change the globes out first.

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Tue Dec 06, 2016 9:16 am

Regie wrote:Maybe the low beam part of both globes are blown. Change the globes out first.

Low and high beam are separate units on the NB SE. :wink:

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Dec 06, 2016 12:10 pm

maybe I am wrong but the bulbs for high beam and low beam are separate i.e. single filament. If low beam is not working i.e. main headlamp then you check if you are getting power to the live terminal and if not then it might be a fuse etc.You can check the high beam terminal as well to see if its working etc i.e. do it by activating the light switch Very unlikely its both bulbs blowing together. Halogen bulbs when blown are pretty easy to pick i.e. broken filament or milky if there is an air leak.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Tue Dec 06, 2016 12:23 pm

My old NA blew both lows simultaneously. High beams were OK. No electrical issues found. Car was only 7yrs old then.

Regie · Postby **Regie** » Tue Dec 06, 2016 1:43 pm

Nevyn72 wrote:
Regie wrote:Maybe the low beam part of both globes are blown. Change the globes out first.

Low and high beam are separate units on the NB SE.

ahh yes i didnt see what model car.

but still id change out the low beam globes first.

like others I've had both blow at the same time on a previous car

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Dec 06, 2016 4:10 pm

I think we have had the conversation before about bulbs failing simultaneously. It obviously can happen but is that because of some sort of electrical malfunction in the car- power surge? Halogen bulbs, or for that matter any bulb ,has rated average life hours. Factors that can affect the life includes vibration. Most of us change bulbs when they fail and I always look at the bulb just to see if the fault is obvious and they usually are.

jcmx79 · Postby **jcmx79** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 9:11 am

Howdy. The issue on the se is not globes or fuses there are an easy fix. The issue is I have no low beam lights (on low beam) and when I put the high beam on I only get low beam. I've checked the high beam globes and fuses. Has anyone had a similar issue? Cheers

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Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 9:34 am

So by the sound of it to drive the car at night you switch to high beam and then get low beam so at least it can be dríven. At a guess it sounds like the switch- why it does it do it I dont know. I would take it to a good auto elec for a diagnosis. Interested to see the result.

droo · Postby **droo** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 11:28 am

I've just written the following just for the sake of a troubleshooting routine:

disconnect the headlight bulb from the headlight socket.

Replace the bulb. They're cheap and is the easiest step to do before following the next.
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Produc ... 55W/378078

Once replaced, if the headlights still don't function as they should then follow:

Use any multimeter and set it to volts 0-40 volts range.. (or any voltage range to read 12v). These can be picked up for under $10 from jaycar
https://www.jaycar.com.au/low-cost-digi ... m/p/QM1500

Holding the h4 loom plug in your hand, and arranged so the 3 terminal plug socket is facing you WITH the centre pin hole at the top:
The left vertical pin hole is for highbeam.
The top horizontal pin hole is for low beam,
The Right vertical pin hole is for earth.

Screen Shot 2016-12-09 at 10.52.07 AM.jpg

Put your ignition on, and turn the headlight on to low beam.
Put the earth lead of the multimeter to chassis ground, make sure it's a good solid connection. Aligator clips to any exposed metal bolt head on the engine or chassis will be fine. If you dont have aligator clips, hold the probe against any unpainted metal on the chassis or engine.
Stick the red multimeter probe all the way into the H4 socket's holes, making sure the probe makes contact with the metal pin connection.
If you stick the probe into the top horizontal pin hole, then the multimeter display should show a voltage with a reading somwhere between 11-14 volts. It shouldnt read anything for the left or right vertical pins.
Now click the headlights to the highbeam position.
Re probe the headlight socket pins again. Now the multimeter display should show a voltage with a reading somwhere between 11-14 volts on the left vertical pin and nothing for the others.

If you are not reading any voltages for the steps outlined then you have a fault with either the h4 bulb connectors, headlight fuses or the headlight stalk switch combo assembly.
If the H4 bulb connectors look fine, looking for obvious signs of melting, excessive corrosion or loose connections - It's very unlikely to have any of these.
Visually inspect the fuses.

If all checks out here, you'll need a new stalk.