"Dipped beam fail" ?

Sonus · 30th November 2010, 10:18

My lefthand driving light has gone and the display shows "dipped beam fail" whenever I turn the igintion off.

Is it likely to only be a bulb replacement or might something else be wrong?

How do I know if my car's got HIDs or not?

arjan_m · 30th November 2010, 11:09

It will only be a bulb replacement.

The bulb is H7 if you have normal halogen bulbs.

Sonus · 30th November 2010, 11:31

Puhhh....

I was afraid some of the electronics had failed as It also displays the bulb failure warning.

sof007 · 30th November 2010, 11:42

I'd get used to changing these if I were you. Not the easiest bulb in the world to change and they tend to blow often enough, well at least on my car anyway

r44712 · 30th November 2010, 12:24

Join the club...I'd expect a year max out of mine, yet has only managed 10, failing today!

Evansabove · 30th November 2010, 13:50

Sonus,
It is a few minute job when you are used to it. There is a removeable panel in the wheel arch which when removed allows access to the rear of the headlamp. It is best to have the bonnet up and the wheel turned on full lock.
There is a rubber cover over the back of the headlamp which must be removed. Next pull off the connector to the bulb.
The bulb is held in by a spring clip which you press together the 2 prongs and (I think) move spring down. When spring is released it will swing out of the way to give access to the bulb. Make sure you look to see the correct location of the bulb (the flat is at the top) and remove the bulb.
Do NOT touch the glass of the new bulb as this shortens the life. If you do make sure you wipe with a cloth to remove any fingerprints.
Put new bulb in and replace the holding spring (this can be tricky and a torch may help). Reconnect the connector, rubber backing and wheel arch Panel. Job done. I used to get through 2 sets of lights a year as I was doing 2.5 hours each day/evening commuting to work. This is why I have it down to a few minutes. Good Luck.

P.S. WE have some of your Trondheim weather here, would you like it back?

Hope that helps

John

Sonus · 30th November 2010, 15:23

Thanks John. That doesn't sounded too complicated only problem is that it's
-15 degrees celsius outside and the sun sets at 3pm. So I'd actually consider your offer about a weather swap

Alan.F · 30th November 2010, 15:31

took me about 3mins the other day and it was the first time at doing it

30th November 2010, 10:18	#1
Sonus Avid contributor MG ZT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 186 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	"Dipped beam fail" ? My lefthand driving light has gone and the display shows "dipped beam fail" whenever I turn the igintion off. Is it likely to only be a bulb replacement or might something else be wrong? How do I know if my car's got HIDs or not?

30th November 2010, 11:09	#2
arjan_m Gets stuck in MG TF 135 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Helmond Posts: 581 Thanks: 28 Thanked 28 Times in 21 Posts	It will only be a bulb replacement. The bulb is H7 if you have normal halogen bulbs. __________________ Look at my (photo)threads here: Fitted a 750 bumper on the 75 Tourer My Rover 75 Tourer My third 75: My Rover 75 1.8 mod topic Rover 75 1.8 Classic, MidNight Blue, 2002 Current car: MG TF 135, Antracite (LQW), 2002

30th November 2010, 11:42	#4
sof007 Avid contributor MG ZT Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Galway Posts: 194 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I'd get used to changing these if I were you. Not the easiest bulb in the world to change and they tend to blow often enough, well at least on my car anyway __________________ MG ZT CDTi 135+ Trophy Blue 131,000 and rising

30th November 2010, 15:31	#8
Alan.F Gets stuck in MG ZT 1.8 Turbo Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bolton Posts: 623 Thanks: 32 Thanked 32 Times in 16 Posts	took me about 3mins the other day and it was the first time at doing it __________________

30th November 2010, 11:31	#3
Sonus Avid contributor MG ZT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 186 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Puhhh.... I was afraid some of the electronics had failed as It also displays the bulb failure warning.

30th November 2010, 12:24	#5
r44712 Loves to post ZT-T+ 135 & ZR+ 115 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: N.E. Hampshire Posts: 398 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Join the club...I'd expect a year max out of mine, yet has only managed 10, failing today!

30th November 2010, 13:50	#6
Evansabove Loves to post Rover 75 CDT Conn SE Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 272 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Sonus, It is a few minute job when you are used to it. There is a removeable panel in the wheel arch which when removed allows access to the rear of the headlamp. It is best to have the bonnet up and the wheel turned on full lock. There is a rubber cover over the back of the headlamp which must be removed. Next pull off the connector to the bulb. The bulb is held in by a spring clip which you press together the 2 prongs and (I think) move spring down. When spring is released it will swing out of the way to give access to the bulb. Make sure you look to see the correct location of the bulb (the flat is at the top) and remove the bulb. Do NOT touch the glass of the new bulb as this shortens the life. If you do make sure you wipe with a cloth to remove any fingerprints. Put new bulb in and replace the holding spring (this can be tricky and a torch may help). Reconnect the connector, rubber backing and wheel arch Panel. Job done. I used to get through 2 sets of lights a year as I was doing 2.5 hours each day/evening commuting to work. This is why I have it down to a few minutes. Good Luck. P.S. WE have some of your Trondheim weather here, would you like it back? Hope that helps John

30th November 2010, 15:23	#7
Sonus Avid contributor MG ZT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 186 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks John. That doesn't sounded too complicated only problem is that it's -15 degrees celsius outside and the sun sets at 3pm. So I'd actually consider your offer about a weather swap