Both headlights not working

M

mjgerrard

Member
 Yardley, Birmingham
Hey guys,

Both of my headlights stopped working on the weekend with my '58 E86 Coupe, no Xenons. I had the usual light bulb signal on the dash, and further investigation found that the side lights, full beam, indicators and brake/reverse all work fine. Sadly, side lights and front fogs are not sufficient for night driving (As I experienced last night!)

I've replaced both the 14 and 23 5A fuses but unfortunately this doesn't seem to have solved the problem - and I find it somewhat (Though not completely) unlikely that both bulbs have died at the same time.

Is there a relay somewhere that connects both main beam headlights together? Obviously I have found the fuse box behind the glove box, but are there more fuse boxes related to the headlight system? Anyone have a diagram, or any thoughts?

Thanks!

Mike.
 
Check the bulbs! I had 2 headlight bulbs go at the same time on a previous car and like you, ruled out the simplist fix because I thought it would be too much of a coincidence.
 
I doubt its the bulbs as they are very unlikely to go at the same time, it will be the ignitors. Unfortunately had one of mine swapped earlier in the year as it died and the part with labour was £800 :S glad I had the warranty. Get it diagnosed tho.

If both bulbs have gone thats a costly fix too but unlikely being a Xenon.
 
He doesn't have Xenons. I agree it's unlikely for both bulbs to fail at the same time but not impossible so worth checking
 
Thanks for the input so far peeps.

Just to confirm on the above two points, correct I do not have Xenons and therefore does that make tomscott's post invalid? At least the cost aspect anyway.

Also worth noting is that I have the "Middle" Extended Warranty from BMW. It's not the fully comp warranty but when I was purchasing I asked the lady over the phone if window actuators would be covered (As I've had one go before) she said that it was part of the electrical system and therefore covered. Hopefully this gives me some peace of mind that should this be some kind of horrible fault I would be covered.

I'm due in for a service on Wednesday anyway, and therefore I wanted to raise this now to see if it was something I could fix myself before it went in. If the consensus is that it's bulbs, I'll leave it for the service. Any other ideas welcome though!

M.
 
I hope not! Thanks for the suggestion Sim_Simma.

http://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=24291

That's certainly feasible from the topic posted above - though you have to get to the "The only saving grace is that it's only taken out a sidelight so I can still drive my Zed. :driving:" bit of AndyS' post to tell that the LCM has taken out a light (But not all of them). I'd be interested to know if AndyS had any other warning lights on the dash, other than a generic bulb-out. I don't have the diagnostic equipment unfortunately so this may have to end up with the dealer.

M.
 
Woohoo! Having changed a bulb, which was a bit of a bastard of a job as it turned out, I have a working headlight! It does indeed look like I lost both headlight bulbs at once. Very odd. Will sort the other tomorrow when I buy another bulb.

Cheers all!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom