Headlight Problem

Chuggerboom · 10 Jan 2011 at 22:43

I have a peugeot 206 LX and the os headlight has gone really dim. I bought a new bulb but the problem is still there. All other lights and electrics are fine.

Any help with this problem would be much appreciated.

TheCrow · 10 Jan 2011 at 22:51

i would place a bet on an earthing problem. make sure all the connections are clean.

-westy- · 11 Jan 2011 at 00:15

This may sound like a stupid question, and no offence intended, but are you sure you replaced the right bulb?

Chuggerboom · 11 Jan 2011 at 00:18

-westy- said:
This may sound like a stupid question, and no offence intended, but are you sure you replaced the right bulb?

Yes, i also swapped the bulb from the other headlight which i know works. It was dim also.

-westy- · 11 Jan 2011 at 00:21

Chuggerboom said:
Yes, i also swapped the bulb from the other headlight which i know works. It was dim also.

Lol, apologies, but I just had to check

Is the bulb itself dim, or does it not function at all, leaving the sidelight on?

Chuggerboom · 11 Jan 2011 at 00:24

-westy- said:
Lol, apologies, but I just had to check

Is the bulb itself dim, or does it not function at all, leaving the sidelight on?

The bulb is dim so it is working. I have noticed quite a few cars recently with the same thing ( one dim headlight ) so it must be a common problem.

I just don't want to pay big money to an auto electrician.

MagicBoy · 11 Jan 2011 at 00:27

French electrics. Gotta love them.

I particularly enjoyed all the dash lights flashing in time with the indicators on my 306 when it was new.

-westy- · 11 Jan 2011 at 00:28

I'd probably go with TheCrow on this one, could be an earthing problem. If you've got a haynes manual for your car, check to see where the earthing points are, and give them a clean up with a wire brush.

On second thoughts, it could perhaps be a relay.

Can anyone with more specific electrical knowledge than me confirm/deny?

Chuggerboom · 11 Jan 2011 at 00:29

MagicBoy said:
French electrics. Gotta love them.

As i have already stated i have seen quite a few other cars with the same problem. Fords, Vauxhalls and other makes.

MagicBoy · 11 Jan 2011 at 00:33

Chuggerboom said:
As i have already stated i have seen quite a few other cars with the same problem. Fords, Vauxhalls and other makes.

99% of the time it's a blown bulb for the dipped beam. It's common when the temperature plummets like it has recently which causes the filament to fracture in old bulbs as they are switched on and heat up rapidly. The low glow effect comes from the 5W sidelight bulb.

Chuggerboom · 11 Jan 2011 at 00:35

MagicBoy said:
99% of the time it's a blown bulb for the dipped beam. It's common when the temperature plummets like it has recently which causes the filament to fracture in old bulbs as they are switched on and heat up rapidly. The low glow effect comes from the 5W sidelight bulb.

No the bulb has not blown. The sidelight is on as well which is dim as you point out.

MagicBoy · 11 Jan 2011 at 00:41

Chuggerboom said:
No the bulb has not blown. The sidelight is on as well which is dim as you point out.

I know that, you mentioned it earlier. I was talking about the other makes. Your case appears to be in the special 1%.

Chuggerboom · 19 Jan 2011 at 23:29

MagicBoy said:
I know that, you mentioned it earlier. I was talking about the other makes. Your case appears to be in the special 1%.

Just an update: It turned out to be a bad earth. Took it to an auto electrician, cost £30 to get done.