HELP! Headlights stopped working!

TimGti · Post by **TimGti** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:25 pm

Checked the fuse box & all fuses seem to be fine!

Full beam, sidelights and fogs all work, but both the headlights have gone! What else can it be other than the fuse & is it something I can look at & fix easily myself? Im kinda guessing that both the bulbs wont have just blown at the same time so Im stumped...

Thanks

DanDiesel · Post by **DanDiesel** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:52 pm

believe it or not it could be both bulbs mate! this exact thing happened to me when i had my mk5 polo! both headlight bulbs went out practically the same time!

Jamo · Post by **Jamo** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:28 am

Don't assume that the bulbs havn't blown - If you rule things out without checking you'll chase the fault round the car over and over and guess where you'll end up!

Check the bulbs - the solution could be easier than you think!

AKs_SlickPolo · Post by **AKs_SlickPolo** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:54 am

Yeah probably best to check bulbs...but as its probably a bumper off job on the diesel's I can see why this ain't done first.

If you can go as far as removing the rear headlight bulb rubber cover and unclipping the connector, then get a multimeter on the connector.

If there is power, then its almost definetely something to do with the bulbs

TimGti · Post by **TimGti** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 12:04 pm

Ok guys I'll start with checking the bulbs today and take it from there!

TimGti · Post by **TimGti** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:14 pm

TimGti wrote:Ok guys I'll start with checking the bulbs today and take it from there!

Discovered that I will defo need to take the bumper off & remove the light housing to even check the bulb as mines a diesel and there no way my hands are going to fit in the hole behind the light

(& I dont have a multimeter)

I can see the filament on one of the bulbs through the lens and it looks fine so I get the feeling Ill be wasting my time anyway!

Could it be the relay? ... & if so where is it on 9N's & could I fix it myself?

Any help appreciated.

chris4500uk · Post by **chris4500uk** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:03 pm

I managed without taking the bumper off

its hard, but its do-able if you have small hands

TimGti · Post by **TimGti** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:12 pm

chris4500uk wrote:I managed without taking the bumper off

its hard, but its do-able if you have small hands

How do the bulbs come out of there holder? Looks like there are 3 screws surrounding the plug? are they relevant/ does the bit where the wires go at the back of the bulb in just screw or twist out?

Can get to get to the passenger side (just) one but could'nt see enough to figure out how to get the bulb out? :-/

chris4500uk · Post by **chris4500uk** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 5:45 pm

the plastic bit with wires just pulls off the bulb.

i cant remeber is there is a hard wire clip thing holding the bulb in.

its a bugger to get the actul bulb out, think i ended up twisting it !

The thing infront of the bulb also scratches the bulb

TimGti · Post by **TimGti** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:31 pm

Well, finally got to the bottom of this. Guess what, it was both bulbs that had blown. Changed them without taking the bumper off too. Had to undo a couple of other bits and move them out the way on the drivers side to get to the bulb.

Oh, and the black plastic bit around the bulb turns slightly to release the bulb if anyone else ever reads this for reference.

Now, on to bigger things...must get my cambelt changed soon!

chris4500uk · Post by **chris4500uk** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:11 pm

Just popped mine for a cambelt change,

Â£230 for the whole kit done and dusted

TimGti · Post by **TimGti** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 11:05 pm

chris4500uk wrote:Just popped mine for a cambelt change,

Â£230 for the whole kit done and dusted

Where was that mate? Ive been quoted Â£300 from all the local vw specialists and around Â£370 from a couple of regular local garages.

VW wanted Â£470 ish! Did yours include water pump aswell?

Jamo · Post by **Jamo** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:47 pm

Get the water pump done as a matter of couse, to have it done afterwards would be a major ball ache and ease more hard earned cash out of your fingers! It is a difficult job that is labout intensive - expect a big bill - people on here will see you straight for a good dealer though!

chris4500uk · Post by **chris4500uk** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:53 pm

Â£233 in total, for the belt, tensioner, roller, water pump and anti freeze !

I got parts at trade price because I know a guy

If anyone in the north east needs some parts give me a shout.

it was volksrange in thornaby stockton http://maps.yell.com/clients/browse.cgi ... 3D45396485

They mainly do parts mind