Full Beam Broken

[Rip3z]

Ok this is an odd one (Mk1 ph3).

If I have my dipped beams and sidelights off then I can hold the stalk towards me and my full beam will come on (allows you to flash people). If I have my headlights on I cannot shift to full beam, there's no click into place, nor does it flash if you pull it towards you.

Any ideas?

Thanks all.

 

[BrianR]

Headlight relay or the supply fuse has blown; the Flash with lights off is a separate circuit, over-ridden when you turn the lights on.

 

[V1NNY]

this happened to me a few months back, changed the stalk and everthing was ok

 

[Rip3z]

Headlight relay or the supply fuse has blown; the Flash with lights off is a separate circuit, over-ridden when you turn the lights on.

Ok I don't know much about electrics, I take it a new fuse would be the best/cheapest thing to try first?

Someone give a brief explanation of a relay for me?

 

[BrianR]

The fuse should be easy to find if you have the handbook it should show which one it is and where it is located.

A relay is just a remotely operated switch which is capable of handling more current than the switches on the dash or column, or capable of performing a change over sequence like main to dip.

I am not sure which model (as in the engine plate number) your car is, but my guess would be the relay is in the panel under the steering column.
Perhaps someone with the same car can confirm.

It’s worth having a push at all the relays as sometimes they can work loose.

Have you upgraded the headlight bulbs BTW ?

 

[Rip3z]

Ah cheers.

No not upgraded the headlight bulbs. Don't understand why the stalk does not click into place anymore though. Even if the full beam is broken what difference would that make to the stalk?

 

[BrianR]

Ah ! that sounds more like a mechanical problem, have you caught the stalk with your knee getting in and out of the car ?

 

[d4nn3h]

Same problem in my old clio, changed stalk, all ok

 

[Rip3z]

Well the Mrs drives it aswell, so you may have just hit the nail on the head there!

Maybe I should try a new stalk? Would it still click into place even if the fuse/relay had gone?

 

[Rip3z]

Same problem in my old clio, changed stalk, all ok

Ok 2 people that have said the same thing, time to buy a stalk!

Cheers all.

 

[BrianR]

Well the Mrs drives it aswell, so you may have just hit the nail on the head there!

Maybe I should try a new stalk? Would it still click into place even if the fuse/relay had gone?

Yes, its two different faults.

 

[Rip3z]

Next question!

Are all Mk1 stalks the same?

 

[Rip3z]

Bump.

 

[ClioGav]

Check behind your actual headlights as i think i had something similar when i took mine out one day. There is a piece of plastic (not the black cover) that pops onto the back of the headlight and that may have come off, worth a try..

It's attached with sort of a balljoint and controls the beam level i think.

 

[Daz]

Common problem, new stalk needed.
All should be the same..

 

[manji]

Like Daz says! Common fault with the stalk!