Post 355004 by kristoff007 on 2011-01-14 02:44:18
Hi guys n gals.
My car is a 1995 850 T%R.
My RHS headlight (normal one, not high beam or the indicator) has blown.
I replaced the bulb with a new one, and put in a new fuse as the old one had blown. On startup, the fuse immediately went again.
The guy at supercheap auto said that it must be a bigger electrical fault, as problem isn't bulb or fuse.
BTW, I'm sure the fuse I replaced it with was the correct one as per the instructions under the fuse box lid.
Any help with what it might be, if I can possibly fix it myself, or how much it'll cost someone else to fix it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Chris
Post 355013 by Flatout Phil on 2011-01-14 08:22:28
Hate that sort of fault. It won't be the bulb - the bulb is in effect a fuse anyway. Sounds like it could be completing a short circuit. It is always possible the wrong fuse is in the slot too - or the replacement is sub standard. Check that first. Do not be tempted to put in a higher rated fuse than recommended though - a fire might result. I would look for any obvious chafing on the wiring to start with.
If not, and you don't feel electrically competent, a few quid spent at an auto electrician may save a lot of hassle. That said, it is probably something trivial like a worn wire or a switch fault. You don't have anything additional tapped into the wiring? See you Haynes manual for what else runs off the fuse too.
Post 355044 by p fandango on 2011-01-14 14:41:56
i've got a test probe, a bit too far away for me tho lol
Post 355240 by nobananas on 2011-01-15 15:44:46
Does it still blow the fuse with no bulb fitted with the lights on ? (make sure the connector isn't touching anything earthed)
Post 355354 by kristoff007 on 2011-01-16 02:09:39
thanks for the help so far.
The wiring is all stock standard, so there shouldn't be anything else to complicate the wiring.
I'll test what happens to the fuse with no light bulb in it, and have a looksee at the wiring.
If I do find any wear and tear or chafing on the wire, are new wires required, or can I seal it with anything (tape?)
thanks!
Post 355483 by Flatout Phil on 2011-01-16 22:02:26
[quote=kristoff007;355354]thanks for the help so far.
The wiring is all stock standard, so there shouldn't be anything else to complicate the wiring.
I'll test what happens to the fuse with no light bulb in it, and have a looksee at the wiring.
If I do find any wear and tear or chafing on the wire, are new wires required, or can I seal it with anything (tape?)
thanks![/quote]
Decent tape is probably OK - but a fussy bugger like me would stick in new wiring...if you can fit it over, some heat-shrink sleeving.
Post 355809 by nobananas on 2011-01-19 21:17:40
Must admit most of my headlamp connector insulator sleeves have melted !.(used silicone tubing as an insulator at the moment) The H1 bulb design isn't great using the headlamp body as an earth. As the headlamp heats up the wire spring retainer starts to loose it's tension and the bulb becomes loose causing a bad earth to the bulb, dodgy earth leads to overheating and the connectors start to fail, bad design if you ask me.