Main beam not working on MK1 Clio

[JonniP]

Hi all
bit stuck, can get main beam when headlights are off but as soon as headlights are on then i cannot get main beam at all. have changed the stalk and checked all fuses.
any ideas please?
desperate!

Jonni

 

[Josh@Renparts]

possible dodgy stalk i would say.

 

[JonniP]

changed it already

 

[Keano]

bulbs? lol

 

[JonniP]

bulbs fine main beam works just not when headlights are on

 

[JonniP]

on

 

[rctempire]

Have you checked the fuses are the correct ampage?

 

[JonniP]

Hi RC yes checked that same as per haynes manual thanks for posting
any other ideas?

 

[rctempire]

Ok, so the stalk clicks over and you have side lights?

Then click again to get headlamps on. Then when you pull the stalk it it does what?

 

[JonniP]

yes
stalk clicks over (sidelights) pull stalk - main beam
stalk clicks over (headlights) pull stalk - nada

any ideas?

 

[tim124]

sounds like relay to me

 

[JonniP]

looked on schematic..no relay! just goes through dash controller and shunt

 

[tim124]

shunt resistor? dash controller?
are you looking at the side-lights circuit?

I dont have the diagrams to look at but im 99% sure the main beam will not be powered straight through the stalk. Two main beam bulbs will be 2x65watt so 130w in total (or 10-11amps) which can only safely be switched through a relay.

 

[Mark One]

s**t man. That is annoying. Must be a localised wiring issue? Fuse? or perhaps its another dodgy switch?

 

[JonniP]

hi Tim,
on the Haynes its the diagram for exterior lighting..i can see the sidelight circuit and its different to the dipped/main beam one! if you know of a relay or are able to look at the diagram i would really appreciate it.
its well annoying mark!
also does anyone know where the reverse selector switch is? is it on the gearbox?

Thanks

Jonni

 

[JonniP]

not stalk i have 3 bloody spare ones now!

 

[geesus69]

I dont have the diagrams to look at but im 99% sure the main beam will not be powered straight through the stalk. Two main beam bulbs will be 2x65watt so 130w in total (or 10-11amps) which can only safely be switched through a relay.

no, they dont go through a relay on the mk1

 

[JonniP]

geesus seeing as u have done a fair bit or rewiring on ures can you tell me the main points to look for failure?

 

[geesus69]

i'm stumped aswell lol

so you dont even get the momentary flash when on dipped beam? (not the constant main beam where it clicks)

have you ckecked all 4 of the fuses (think there is 4 lol) for the dipped and main beam? worth a look into

because of the way it is wired if the nearside bulb is shot then the offside doesnt work either as it breaks the circuit, but this still doesnt explain how they would work on sidelights but not on dipped :S

 

[JonniP]

Gee, correct nothing at all when on dipped beam...! i have checked all fuses there are a few in the engine bay. only diff i can think of is that there is more load when headlights are on so confused!

 

[geesus69]

hmm i'll have a think and have a look at my wiring and see what it could be

might be able to give you some things to check aswell

 

[tim124]

god we're talking about a mk1.

i had all sorts of issues with the stalks on my valver. Did loads of testing trying to work out where wiring issues were and it always came back to the stalks.

just because its clicking, doesnt mean its working!

 

[Josh@Renparts]

We supplied a second replacment stalk, and i specifically tested it on the vehicle it was removed from for him. So stalk is definitely ruled out.

 

[JonniP]

yes and i now have 4!lol
what component makes the main beam come on and stay on when on dipped beam? is it the stalk? if not im thinking that component is faulty

 

[geesus69]

it is the stalk that makes it stay on

the only thing i can suggest is unplug the connector on the stalk, find which pin does main beam and bypass the stalk, if your lights flash its the stalk, nothing else it can be, if they dont work its something else lol

 

[JonniP]

right im off work sick
going for a butchers

 

[Josh@Renparts]

have you tried changing the bulb, sounds stupid but like you say its a basic bit of wiring on the mk1.

 

[JonniP]

fixed! ok so i got 2 dodgy second hand stalks both people said that they were fine too appalling (sp)
i changed over the one that i had faith was definitely working as a final attempt before i pulled the tester out and guess what it worked!
oh thanks Joshydee the one you supplied worked a dream thanks for the other bit too.

now can anyone tell me where the reverse selector switch is? i need one!

thanks all

 

[rctempire]

Ill take a quick look in my haynes.

Something says to me that its when you pull the gearstick upwards the light goes on. before you even slide the gear accross

 

[Josh@Renparts]

fixed! ok so i got 2 dodgy second hand stalks both people said that they were fine too appalling (sp)
i changed over the one that i had faith was definitely working as a final attempt before i pulled the tester out and guess what it worked!
oh thanks Joshydee the one you supplied worked a dream thanks for the other bit too.

now can anyone tell me where the reverse selector switch is? i need one!

thanks all

Glad mine worked, made sure it was tested before sending it out, just shows like i was saying on the phone that stalks on mk1's are a nightmare.

 

[JonniP]

any info on the reverse selector?

 

[Rob.]

first thing that came to my head when i read this was the stalk. I've had around 13 mk1 Clios in with the same problem always the stalk

 

[Rob.]

any info on the reverse selector?

Its near the passenger side driveshaft seal on the gearbox, it has a green or brown connector.

 

[JonniP]

thanks

 

[Josh@Renparts]

first thing that came to my head when i read this was the stalk. I've had around 13 mk1 Clios in with the same problem always the stalk

cant be the stalk as i made sure it was working before it was removed for the car specifically as i know they are problematic.

 

[JonniP]

your one worked Josh..im just sending you an email for that reverse selector

 

[chr1s_86]

Hello everyone! I'm very sorry for bumping this old thread but I just got here from Google while searching for the same problem...

So... my stalk does not click anymore when on dipped beam and as you can imagine there is no main beam. When the lights are off it does flash when I pull it towards me though...

Do I definitely need a new stalk or is it repairable?


Thank you.

 

[pete110658]

Hi i have the same problem as this with my 1998 clio mark 1. How did u resole this isuue please??
​

 

[rctempire]

Hi Pete, as said, it was a stalk problem.
Contact Josh at RenParts and he will sort you out with a stalk. (the original problem was stalk, but he bought two which were also faulty after, then Josh sorted him out with a working one).