Citroen AX Headlight Fault Help Please!!!

TDA10

Hi all,

My dear old 'P' reg Citroen AX seems to have developed a lighting fault and so I wondered if any of you can help please?

About last October one of the headlights blew so I replaced the bulb and then 2 days later the other side blew too, so I again replaced the bulb, thinking it was just coincidence.

In December a bulb blew again, which again got replaced, but 4 weeks ago the opposite side went again (are you keeping up with this?! )

I hadn't got round to changing it again yet, but on Monday both sides went. I changed them on Tuesday, but OH tells me that as soon as he turned them on they both went within 5 mins of being on.

It's never the sidelights, but always the main headlights that go.

Any ideas folks? I'm not a complete dumbo when it comes to cars, but don't want to start fiddling around aimlessly without some clues as to what the prob could be.

I hope this doesn't signal the end for 'Ronnie'!!! She has passed her MOT EVERY year without even an advisory note since the past 7 years I have had her, and starts 1st time every time so is a real bummer if it's game over!

I've been saying for the past 3 years at MOT time that 'this year we'll prob have to look for another car' but whilst she keeps going, I ain't gonna scrap her!

Any advice welcomed folks! :beer:

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Visually check the headlamp bulb holders and associated wiring, and also check the enclosures are securely mounted.

Chances are its a simple electrical fault, a dodgy relay perhaps. Have a look in the fusebox and if there are any relays (square boxes, they don't look like fuses) give them a wiggle and ensure they're correctly seated. Sometimes the relay pins can corrode.

jaws77

You might find some help on here:

http://www.axoc.co.uk/phpBB2/

TDA10

Thanks for the advice so far - am aiming to have a look at it today - although the bl00dy thing wouldn't start yesterday - battery flat as a pancake for some reason :mad:

One things for sure though - it aint cos I left the lights on is it?!!!!!:rotfl:

needaspirin

Headlights commonly blow because of earth faults in older cars due to rusty or loose connections. Removing the earth and cleaning it all up nice and bright with emery then coat the reassembed parts with vaseline.

Edit: I mean the earth wires from the headlights, not the battery terminal, though you need to check these as your battery is flat now.

Paul_Baldwin

As needasprin says check all the earths, undo them and clean them up, I use coppergrease to protect them. Also make sure you dont touch the glass on the new lamp as it reduces the lifespan.

Paul.

anewman

If you are using cheapie poundland bulbs they'd be expected to blow like anything. Try branded osram or phillips etc.

Inactive

A further tip, do not touch them with your bare hands, use a bit of dry cloth or tissue, the oil from your skin will result in hot spots on the lamps.

TDA10

Just thought I'd pop on and say thanks to all - I gave the connections a good clean - they were really fouled up with some bizarre GREEN slimey stuff but I got that off, gave it a spray with some elec contact spray and so far so good.

The battery was bugg3red, that's why it wouldn't start, so off to the scrappies and a fiver and 3 month guarantee later I'm back up and running! Got a pocketful of bulbs too - they were only a quid for a dozen and they are various makes so at least I've plenty of spares should the fault recur.

One of the bl00dy back headlights went last night too - although that was deffo just the bulb - should have picked up a bagful of them too!

Thanks again :beer:

countrygirl27

Hello!
Just writing to say I feel your pain! I used to have a citroen ax and it was brilliantly cheap. Last two years or so I have had a fiat punto and I think I have had the front lights changed about eight times. The local garage says I am their top consumer for light bulbs. The only thing I can suggest is once they said some part of the engine had been leaning on the wire that runs to the light and may have been making it overheat?! Sounded a bit odd to me. So yeah I have my lights replaced about every 3 weeks too! The only good thing is thank God the bulbs aren't too expensive.