Citroen AX headlight fault help please!

babyangel10

Hi all,

I have a old (1996) but very reliable Citroen AX that has got a headlight gremlin!

When you turn the headlight lever/stalk thingy(!) 2 turns onto full headlights it automatically comes on as the blinding main beam. If you pull the lever to try to stop it (like you would normally do) then the lights go out altogether. In other words I have no 'normal' headlights, just main beam ones.

If I try to flash my lights nothing happens. The dash lights are as they should be, with green for normal beam and blue for main but somehow the actual lights themselves have gone t*ts up!

I have had some probs in the past with the bulbs blowing almost daily, but after a good emery papering and a clean of the connectors etc all went well until now.

In 'position 1' of the stalk turn (ie sidelights) the lights aren't right either. I can't recall exactly what happens with that (car isn't here at the mo to check)

I just wanted a bit of advice before I go fiddling with wires/fuses/relays/bulbs etc etc when it might be something more serious or something quite simple ( a bit like me!!!) I am guessing it's a bulb related prob but I'm not an expert.

It might just be a dodgy connection again but being as the rain has stopped me checking I thought I'd ask on here first to try and save a bit of time.

Thanks for any useful and polite help!

hewhoisnotintheknow

assuming youve not had an accident ...

Take the bulbs out, they are h4 on an ax (both hi and low beams are in the same bulb), then flick the lever on and off, see what the lights on the dashboard are reporting.

If this works as expected, try just putting one bulb in one side, then trying it alone in the other.

If its not related to that i would replace the stalk, i sell these on ebay for arounf £15 and you can fit them yourself easily. I think this would be a better bet than taking it to a garage in the first instance

Where are you based? Try sourcing one from a local breakers

Feel free to ask any questions

TiTheRev

^^^ Fairly sound diagnostic from info given, but could be electrical/wiring issue to the bulb so will do the same regardless of bulb. I had a little 106 (same but different badge), and that just needed the stalk switch cleaning with electrical cleaning spray to clean the contacts, an even cheaper solution than a used one that may have the same issue now or soon

hewhoisnotintheknow

TiTheRev wrote: »

^^^ Fairly sound diagnostic from info given, but could be electrical/wiring issue to the bulb so will do the same regardless of bulb. I had a little 106 (same but different badge), and that just needed the stalk switch cleaning with electrical cleaning spray to clean the contacts, an even cheaper solution than a used one that may have the same issue now or soon

Ya, these were just the things that are free and easy to try before spending money out, let us know how you get on

Also just while i think of it, have you changed and rear bulbs lately? Ive seen all sorts of strange behaviour where people have put a single element bulb in car tail lights when it should of been a twin element bulb

So take the rear bulb out, on an ax this is again a dual element bulb, worth a try as its easy on the ax ( might be better just to unplug the rear light sockets)

TiTheRev

It's always worth checking out the cheap/free fixes first, it'd be annoting to send it to a garage and get them just change a bulb and charge you £20 for the priviledge

babyangel10

Thanks for the thorough advice guys - If I ever get a dry day again :rolleyes: then I'll have a good try of your suggestions to see if I can solve the prob.

I did ask on Yahoo Answers too and all the answers I got said that the stalk has probably gone.

You say it's easy to change? How easy exactly? I had a look at my local breakers the other day (when looking for something for our other banger...!) and it looked like I would have to take some of the steering column apart? Is this right? Seems like only a screw or two though - with any luck!!!

I'm a wee bit savvy with car stuff (translates as: not afraid to have a go! ) so will get back up the scrappies and have a play on another AX before I smash mine apart! :eek:

But will deffo try the bulb tests first. FYI I'm in Derby (with a VERY good scrappies!) and I haven't changed any rear bulbs in over a year.

Thanks again for any other info :beer:

hewhoisnotintheknow

yup, undo the retaining screws from the steering cowling, remove cowling

Unplug wiring from rear of switch

undo two screws

slide switch out

GO PRACTICE AT SCRAP YARD FIRST!


just try taking the rear bulbs out, as its easy to do, could be water ingress?