Xenon nightmare

[clk320x]

Hi everyone, on my 2003 w209 the xenon dipped beams have been playing up. Sometimes it will say dipped beam left out and then bulb won't switch on, however if I switch off and on a few times it'll work sometimes not, then some days the right beam won't work and again off/on may or may not get it working, then sometimes both won't work and show errors then off and on will get one side working maybe both... this is really annoying me and I have no idea what could cause this.
Anyone have any ideas?

 

[renault12ts]

Have you got a good earth to each side?

 

[clk320x]

That's exactly what Ollie at PCS said however when the car was with him both lights worked so he was unable to diagnose and he's about 1.5-2hrs away so need a day off work to get there

 

[clk320x]

Is there an easy way to check the earth?

 

[PobodY]

Is there an easy way to check the earth?

A multimeter? I'd look for continuity between a known-good earth (probably on the engine) and the negative terminal on the lights.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Front SAM playing up? Dodgy HLC?

 

[clk320x]

Does anyone know where the earth points are so I can see if they are rusted ? Whenever I take it down to the garage the lights start working so it still hasn't been solved

 

[PobodY]

You could just install a second earth point yourself. - I did this in the Nissan, which has standard halogen bulbs that were a bit dim; they were much brighter afterwards.

All I did was run a length of automotive wire (I forget what gauge) from the negative side of the headlight to a good earth on the body.

 

[Bigdrew]

Is there an easy way to check the earth?

Hi is the xenon factory fit

 

[Ted]

There is an earth stud a foot up from the headlamps on the inner wing.
Several brown wires coming off it.

 

[clk320x]

There is an earth stud a foot up from the headlamps on the inner wing.
Several brown wires coming off it.

It's rusty as hell, do I need to disconnect battery before sanding it if engines off?

 

[clk320x]

Hi is the xenon factory fit

Yep

 

[clk320x]

You could just install a second earth point yourself. - I did this in the Nissan, which has standard halogen bulbs that were a bit dim; they were much brighter afterwards.

All I did was run a length of automotive wire (I forget what gauge) from the negative side of the headlight to a good earth on the body.

Hey that seems like a good solution but would rather try and sand current earth down first

 

[clk320x]

There is an earth stud a foot up from the headlamps on the inner wing.
Several brown wires coming off it.

Will post photo tomorrow

 

[Auto-mobile]

Faulty amplifier/igniter.

 

[Ted]

It's rusty as hell, do I need to disconnect battery before sanding it if engines off?

No, no need. Loosen it off, clean up to bright metal, and add a dab of vaseline/lithium/normal grease when finished.

 

[clk320x]

No, no need. Loosen it off, clean up to bright metal, and add a dab of vaseline/lithium/normal grease when finished.

Cheers mate, I'll keep you updated. Will give it a shot maybe tomorrow

Cheers