Headlight problem

Kevlandau

Member

Posts

43

Location

Highlands

• Mar 15, 2025

• #1

My passenger side LED headlight does not operate after 5 years of use.
Switch position 2 and only driver headlight operates.
Put beam on and all work.
Multimeter on headlight connector shows power to one tab at position 2.
Put beam on and the power switches to the other tab.
Changed to standard headlight and was exactly the same.
First I thought switch problem, but as only 3 wires at switch, why is driver head light OK.

Hmmm!

Any ideas,?

 

kermit_rr

Very

Full Member

Posts

35,767

Location

North Shropshire

• Mar 15, 2025

• #2

If you've got power and you sure the bulb is ok then it must be earth?

Failing that, just because you have power doesn't meant you've got amps. Connect an incandescent test bulb direct to the power and run an earth straight to the battery negative, if that doesn't light up then the positive is damaged or corroded somewhere. Your multimeter shows 12v but that might break down under load

 

Kevlandau

Member

Posts

43

Location

Highlands

• Mar 15, 2025

• #3

Thanks, but does the power at beam posit0n run main and dipped beams?

 

kermit_rr

Very

Full Member

Posts

35,767

Location

North Shropshire

• Mar 15, 2025

• #4

I don't know on your car but usually not. Usually switches between main/dipped so the lamp surround doesn't melt. Also you don't need dipped while using main beam

 

H

Hicap phill

Well-Known Member

Posts

16,717

Location

Wiltshire

• Mar 15, 2025

• #5

Swap the 12v over and see if the LED is at fault.

Only 3 cables go to the lights.
Earth
Dipped beam
High beam

 

KISSMYAURA

Well-Known Member

Posts

2,897

Location

KENT

• Mar 15, 2025

• #6

5years is nay bad for a LED headlight unless you paid £500+ for one.

 

Kevlandau

Member

Posts

43

Location

Highlands

• Mar 16, 2025

• #7

kermit_rr said:

I don't know on your car but usually not. Usually switches between main/dipped so the lamp surround doesn't melt. Also you don't need dipped while using main beam

Click to expand...

If that's the case, it's working correctly, but swapping to mu previous Crystal light was still the same, with no low beam. Thanks, but does help.

 

Kevlandau

Member

Posts

43

Location

Highlands

• Mar 16, 2025

• #8

KISSMYAURA said:

5years is nay bad for a LED headlight unless you paid £500+ for one.

Click to expand...

Almost £400 at the time, but it's a 94 total rebuild and it's my hobby,

 

Kevlandau

Member

Posts

43

Location

Highlands

• Mar 16, 2025

• #9

Hicap phill said:

Swap the 12v over and see if the LED is at fault.

Only 3 cables go to the lights.
Earth
Dipped beam
High beam

Click to expand...

Excellent idea. Try that today.

 

Kevlandau

Member

Posts

43

Location

Highlands

• Mar 18, 2025

• #10

Well, I tried the connector block with the multimeter and all shows well/ Then I put the light back on and the low beam failed; I then tried linking the lights terminals swapped over and back again and all's well. This shws the light is OK, but when J checked the connector and connected the light with cable, it was via a steel probe shoved up the terminals arse, so could it be a corroded terminal, so flooded with switch cleaner and see what its like the weekend. If no good, I'll put the drivers side on the passenger.
Love Landies, don't you?