02 Renault Clio headlights and backlights stopped working

Mr_Money_Saver

The headlights (dipped beam) and backlights have stopped working, they won't turn on even though the dashboard light indicated they are on.

Front and back sidelights and front full beam work fine, also front and back fog lights work no problem.

There is a fusebox on the passenger side which I've checked and the fuses have not blown. There is a second set of fuses (which aren't mentioned in the handbook) under the bonnet, near the battery, those fuses look fine too.

I've tried to check for loose wires but can't see any, what could this be?

kerri_gt

Are all the back lights not working (brake lights, reversing lights etc) what about the indicators?

Mr_Money_Saver

Hi, thanks for the reply. Brake lights, indicators, reverse lights all work no problems.

kerri_gt

Have you replaced the bulbs since you've had the car? If the lights have gone it could suggest there is a connection fault somewhere (unfortunately I am not a mechanic so can't suggest what this might be or how you might be able to fix it yourself ....hopefully a more mechanically minded MSE will pop on here soon). However, I have a 04 Clio and both my headlight bulbs went within a day or so of each other - if you have a spare bulb it could be worth trying this to check it's not something as simple as that.

vikingaero

If all the other lights work then it could be the switch or relay.

goldspanners

i would guess at a relay.

johnson293

Check the the passenger footwell, under/behind the glovebox - same happened to mine when I had it, and there was a relay hanging out - had obviously been caught by the wife's foot when she was sat there.

All fuses in the fusebox (inside the glovebox) were fine, the relay just needed pushing back in.

the182guy

johnson293 wrote: »

Check the the passenger footwell, under/behind the glovebox - same happened to mine when I had it, and there was a relay hanging out - had obviously been caught by the wife's foot when she was sat there.

All fuses in the fusebox (inside the glovebox) were fine, the relay just needed pushing back in.

Thanks - will have a look. Thanks to vikingaero, goldspanners, kerri gt aswell.

I went out again earlier and found that there are no back 'dipped' lights on this car, it just has back lights which come on when sidelights are on and the fogs. Checked this with another Clio (03).

I'm hoping it's a relay that has just dropped out but am now also thinking it may be 2 blown bulbs at the same time (I ruled this out before thinking that 4 bulbs couldn't have gone). I think I have spare headlight bulb which I will try but not looking forward to that as they are the most difficult and annoying things to fit on this car.

I've had the car for about 4.5 years and have only ever changed the front dipped beam (with no success - had to take it to halfords who also made a meal of it like I did) and front sidelights.

kerri_gt

the182guy wrote: »

Thanks - will have a look. Thanks to vikingaero, goldspanners, kerri gt aswell.

I went out again earlier and found that there are no back 'dipped' lights on this car, it just has back lights which come on when sidelights are on and the fogs. Checked this with another Clio (03).

I'm hoping it's a relay that has just dropped out but am now also thinking it may be 2 blown bulbs at the same time (I ruled this out before thinking that 4 bulbs couldn't have gone). I think I have spare headlight bulb which I will try but not looking forward to that as they are the most difficult and annoying things to fit on this car.

I've had the car for about 4.5 years and have only ever changed the front dipped beam (with no success - had to take it to halfords who also made a meal of it like I did) and front sidelights.

I know exactly what you mean about changing the bulbs, one esp I recall is a total pain due to a hose/pipe or something right in the way. I literally had to wedge my hand down to reach the bulbs to take them out/refit them and I have super skinny hands and wrists - I really don't know how anyone with normal sized hands are supposed to change these bulbs.

cyclonebri1

kerri_gt wrote: »

I know exactly what you mean about changing the bulbs, one esp I recall is a total pain due to a hose/pipe or something right in the way. I literally had to wedge my hand down to reach the bulbs to take them out/refit them and I have super skinny hands and wrists - I really don't know how anyone with normal sized hands are supposed to change these bulbs.

And the clio is one of the easier ones:mad:

johnson293

the182guy wrote: »

Thanks - will have a look. Thanks to vikingaero, goldspanners, kerri gt aswell.

I went out again earlier and found that there are no back 'dipped' lights on this car, it just has back lights which come on when sidelights are on and the fogs. Checked this with another Clio (03).

I'm hoping it's a relay that has just dropped out but am now also thinking it may be 2 blown bulbs at the same time (I ruled this out before thinking that 4 bulbs couldn't have gone). I think I have spare headlight bulb which I will try but not looking forward to that as they are the most difficult and annoying things to fit on this car.

I've had the car for about 4.5 years and have only ever changed the front dipped beam (with no success - had to take it to halfords who also made a meal of it like I did) and front sidelights.

Yeah, definitely sounds like the same problem as mine - hopefully its just the relay has come out and needs pushed back in, but worse case you may need to buy another - but defintiely sounds like that Relay.