Headlights: one bright, one dim

[Tim M]

Hi

I upgraded my front headlight to the Wipac brighter set with new bulbs and have had mixed success. One is really bright but the other is only dim. Could this be a voltage regulator issue?

All the best,

Tim

[twincamman]

I'd start by checking the earth on the dim one.

[Tim M]

OK, thanks will do.

[beero]

Also check all the bullets and sleeves in the headlight circuit for corrosion. You can clean the bullets but you will have to get new sleeves if corroded.
Having said that, if the main and dipped beam are equally dim then it is probably the earthing to that side.

[bmcecosse]

It is a wiring problem...but do look in at the light when ON - are BOTH filaments glowing ??? This would show that the filament receiving 12 volts is having to 'find earth' back through the non-powered filament...

[tysonn]

To clean the bullet holder just wrap wet and dry around a thin screwdriver.

[Tim M]

Great. Many thanks chaps, looks like a job for the weekend!

[alexmcguffie]

Once you've cleaned the connectors wipe some grease over them before pushing them back in. Preventative maintainance...

[Tim M]

All the connectors are clean and bright but the bulb itself looks dim and yellow, so tomorrow its off to Halfords to see if a new one improves the situation. Fingers crossed.

[Tim M]

It is a wiring problem...but do look in at the light when ON - are BOTH filaments glowing ??? This would show that the filament receiving 12 volts is having to 'find earth' back through the non-powered filament...

On the dim light, both filaments are glowing just not as brightly as on the other lamp. All the connectors are fine and the bulb is fine also. Any other ideas? Of course, I could just live with it!

[panky]

Have you tried swapping the bulbs over to make sure they are both OK?

[Tim M]

No but I bought a new bulb this morning and it worked the same as the old one. I didn't swap them over though.

[panky]

It's got to be a bad earth

[Tim M]

Where would be a place to look do you think?

[panky]

Not sure if mine is original but the earth connection for the lights on my traveller is on the inner wing near where the wires to the lights pass through.

[MarkyB]

If your car has a fibreglass wing you will need to run an extra earth from the lights to some metal.

[alexmcguffie]

The earth wire for the head lights should pass through the inner wing and plug into a double bullet receptacle bolted to the inside of the inner wing. Fiberglass wings won't make any difference for headlights but will need an earth wire running for sidelights/indicators.

[Tim M]

Hurray! All sorted now. The earth wire had been attached to the plastic windscreen washer bottle holder...not anymore!

Thanks everyone for your help and patience. Have a good week.

Tim

[panky]

And may all your dark roads be bright