Both bulbs blown at same time

Bikeboy

I have a 2013 Hyundai i20. The headlights are fine.

The sidelights have blown on the driver's side. Both the higher power one (which comes on when the engine is running) and the lower power one (which comes on when the engine is not running) have blown at the same time. Is this normal or might it indicate a bigger problem (e.g. the switch or something else)?

AdrianC

The DRL is in the bumper, right? And the sidelight in the main light cluster? It could just be both bulbs. It could be damaged wiring.


There is no "switch" in the traditional way. Modern cars use multiplexed wiring, with the car's body computer controlling what lights do and don't come on when.

EdGasketTheSecond

Have you actually tested the bulbs off the car with a meter? If not it might be a fuse blown

TuppenceWorth

Do you check your lights each time you get in the car?
They may not have blown at the same time...

I see plenty of people with only one brake light working. They probably think the same when the second one goes.

TuppenceWorth

Just to add, this is not a criticism. I'm guilty of this.

OhhEnnEmm

If you're certain that they went at the same time, I would have to assume there is damage along your wiring that's causing a short.

However, it could just be both bulbs

Shouldn't be too difficult to do your own diagnostics and find the issue though!

Best of luck!

novelty-socks

I see plenty of people with only one brake light working. They probably think the same when the second one goes.

No, they still don't realise there's anything wrong with their car.

AdrianC

TuppenceWorth wrote: »

I see plenty of people with only one brake light working. They probably think the same when the second one goes.

Minor point, but every car sold new in Europe in the last ~20 years has at least three brake lights...

Jackmydad

AdrianC wrote: »

Minor point, but every car sold new in Europe in the last ~20 years has at least three brake lights...

Which would lead you to expect at least two to be working!
But half the cars you see around here often have a combination of at least two lights out. Brake, tail, side, or headlight. Not counting number plate lights.
They must only get checked at MOT time. Assuming that time ever comes of course!

AdrianC

Jackmydad wrote: »

Which would lead you to expect at least two to be working!
But half the cars you see around here often have a combination of at least two lights out. Brake, tail, side, or headlight. Not counting number plate lights.
They must only get checked at MOT time.

Yep. Is this news?

Number of times I've told people they've got lights out, and been told "Oh, it's OK, the MOT's due in a month or so"...

Richard53

AdrianC wrote: »

Yep. Is this news?

Number of times I've told people they've got lights out, and been told "Oh, it's OK, the MOT's due in a month or so"...

Genuine quote, from a work colleague:


Me: Your headlight is out.
WC: Yes, I know.
Me: Thinking of getting it fixed for, you know, safety?
WC: I will get it fixed when it's in for MoT.
Me: When is that?
WC: March.


This was in November.


To be fair, some bulbs are horrendously difficult to change these days.