Swapping sealed beams to halogen

[Bleh5150]

Hi all, I've recently changed my sealed beam units over to halogen and they worked fine but today one headlight didn't operate on low beam however did on high beam. So this raised the question are halogens direct drop in replacements or do I need to do any modifications? Cheers

[robandsophie]

Normally just direct replacement, probably just a duff bulb have you tried swapping the bulbs around to check?

[simmitc]

Or a loose connection in the wiring...

[smithskids]

Just done this on my MM and pick up. The 5 3/4" ones on the MM had trouble with the earths but cured now and can see where I am going in the dark for a change. I didn't used to dip on the old sealed beams they were so dim, I fitted them 25 years ago!!

[Bleh5150]

Will grab myself a new bulb and go from there. The connector block was a little melted but still sat on the connection ok when I changed them. Perhaps a new connector might be wise too.

[ManyMinors]

It is probably more likely to be a wiring connection fault than a bulb. No connection should look "a little melted" .

[robandsophie]

Have you tried your 'bad' bulb in good bulb side? If still doesn't work its the bulb - simples. If does work then manyminors is prob right its likely a connection problem.
Cheers
Rob

[Bleh5150]

Took the bulb out and put it back in again and it worked. However when I got home some smoke and a plastic smell was coming from it so took the unit back out and yep it's melted the connector some more! However it must have been an existing high resistance joint before as the connector was melted when I took out the old sealed beams (which is why I didn't question it before)


So now I'm thinking a couple of new headlight looms!

[biomed32uk]

Definately, thats the source of trouble for sure. For a couple of headlamp looms the jobs done properly.

Reminds me of mine where the previous owner took the car to a supposedly professional garage to have a headlamp sorted according to the file I got with the car

New bulb connector fitted by twisting the wires together, right next to the connector, leaving them bare and pushing them over. They didnt even get the connections right, dip was a combination of dip and main beam together due to the ground being in wrong place.

[bmcecosse]

It's an odd looking connector !