Headlight Issues

[Fixxxer]

Hi everyone.

Well my R32 GTST has had some headlight problems ever since I got it. When i first went to use my high beams after I bought it, the headlight fuse blew leaving me with no headlights at all. I replaced the fuse/s and everything seemed fine (it was dark). I've pretty much avoided any use of the high beams since, which is fine. But the headlights have always seemed very 'dim', as in not lighting up the road much at night. Since then the fuse has blown again just on normal operation of the low-beams. I replaced the fuse but noticed that the fuse (blue colour 15A) has actually melted and warped!! And there seems to be a lot of cr@p all over the fuse holder connection, which I gather may be melted plastic.

Anyone know what would cause this??? Anyone had this problem before???

Ohh and the melting only seems to happen to one headlight fuse, not the other.

Fixxxer

Edited March 14, 2006 by Fixxxer

[blind_elk]

Sounds like a dead short to earth somewhere in that Hi-beam's circuit. Any idea if the car has been smashed on that side? It may have pinched a wire. The latest (for low beam) is probably a matter of time - it was due to happen.

R32 lights are not the brightest at the best of times. I can only suggest a thorough inspection of every component and wire in the circuit(s). Get a small file (nail file ?) into the fuse holder and clean it up.

[Fixxxer]

I can't tell if its ever been hit on that side before. Certainly not since I've had it.

I'll get in there and clean up the fuse connections and see if anything looks dodgy with connections/wires. If I can't see anything and it keeps happening then it'll have to go to an auto elec I suppose....

Thanks for your help.

Fixxxer

[wingnam]

i had a similar problem in my 32, i have now changed the fuses to 20amp seems to be ok now no dramas - had the 20amps in for about 3months now

[Fixxxer]

Wingnam, 15A is what is recommended for the headlights, I would not go higher amperage than this because you are just masking a deeper problem and potentially could do a lot of damage.

Also, a 20A fuse would not help because my fuse is actually melting, when I pull the fuse out it is warped and melted but the actual fuse still seems to be intact.

Fixxxer

[Johnny Cash]

Yeah I did a similar trick with my a/c. it kept blowing the fuse, so i put a huge fuse in. Then smoke started coming from under my bonnet and the fuse melted into the fusebox.

Needless to say, I dont recommend putting a larger fuse in. And by the way, my fusebox is fine and my a/c now works perfectly.

[wingnam]

icic hmmmm well it is only a temp fix for me - trying to organise hid kit so when i get that ill be getting it all looked at.....