One Headlight not working properly, Low orange glow to it. Need earthing help! Mk1 1.6L 1997

Technical Area Electrics & ICE
2

 Hi guys hoping someone can help. i have looked at the forum and someone else had this problem but no solution was posted, I have tried alot to fix this.

My car goes in for MOT on thursday so want to try fix the problem before then, any help would be great.

I first noticed one of the hight lights been dim so i replaced the blubs with new halogen bright ones.

But still the drivers side head light is very dim on dipped just gives a kinda orange haze.

I tried to fix this problem by swaping the head light units over, this broke everything at first  both headlights would not come on. i swaped back the the headlight units to now find that the headlights came back on but the dim light had switched to the other side. ( just to clarify this ment the headlight units are back in the original positions). i thought it would be a good idea to try and swap them again. to see if i had knocked something. this did nothing and the dim headlight was on the passager side. i took the headlight off on the passager side and noticed that the connections were slightly melted and corroded. so i cleaned them all up connected the light and hey presto both lights came on with no problems. I thought i had fixed it. I screwed the light back in on the passager side tryied the lights again and bang the drivers side one goes dim. tried cleaning the connections and playing about with the connections and nothing changes. This puts me back to were i was at the begining.

I happy that the blubs are fine and working.

i know its not the connections at the back of the bulbs as i have cleaned them and had them working at one point or another.

All fuses are fine.

So i come to the conclution that its an earthing fault of some kind.

Not sure if i am right but Lets make somthing clear. ALL other lights and electrics work perfectly.

Can someone help with the problem or plz tell me werer the front headlights earthing points are.

Thanks ever so much

Mike.B

3

 I had a similar problem with an Isusu, it’s worth a look. The bulb holder (metal part) is pushed into the plastic part with the live wire between the two parts and relies on the fact that there is a tight fit between them to make a good conection. If this is the arrangement, you need to grip the metal bulb holder with a long nosed pliers and pull it out , then you can clean both the wire and the holder and replace as fitted. This worked for me, maybe it will for you if it is the same arrangement .Best of luck. JJ.  

4

 HI thanks i will have a look in to that, i did clean the connections thats how i got one to stop going dim, i think its an earthing problem but like i said i will give the connections another look, take them apart and clean them again. i shall let you know how that goes. Anyone one else with some advise would be great.

Thanks Again JJ

Mike.B

5

 Had the same problem on one of the lights on y MK1. Took bulb out and cleaned contacts, used fine sanding paper into holder. Put back in and worked fine.

 

Martin

6

Hi guys, would just like to say thank you, since you all said it will be the connections i decided that i would take the headlights apart and the connections apart and give them a really good clean, even resolidered a few of them to make sure, to my happiesness i can now say that both lights are working with no problems.

 

Thank you all ever so much.

 

Mike.B