Power failure to offside dipped beam.

cambox · 10th November 2014, 18:16

Hi. The offside dipped beam has failed on my 2002 Rover 75 Diesel Con model.
It is not the bulb nor any fuse (non fitted) It appears to be a power supply failure in that a test lamp probe fitted into the detached connector fails to light.
The same side main beam and sidelight work as does all main and dipped lights on the nearside. The bulbs are all H7. type.

The fault is also indicated on the dash computer as "Dipped Beam fault".

I am baffled having spent hours fiddling and checking. I would really appreciate any advice from members.
Kind Regards to all . Mike.

Greeners · 10th November 2014, 18:17

check the loom where it goes over the front chassis rail, a known weak spot

cambox · 10th November 2014, 18:21

Thank you David for your very prompt reply.. I will Check and report back.

RogerHeinz57 · 10th November 2014, 18:30

There have been some issues with wiring harnesses chafing on the bodywork, This may be slightly difficult to spot due to the lack of space in that vicinity.
This may be traced by touch if you gain access from the wheelarch access panel. The multi plug can be difficult to get off as well.
Wires to check
red/black
blue/grey
blue/pink.
I imagine one or more of these would have a problem.
Hope this helps.

cambox · 10th November 2014, 21:59

Thank you John .I'll check that as well.
Kind Regards. Mike.

cambox · 18th November 2014, 12:07

Hi. All. the culprit was a severed wire close to the loom connector for the offside headlamp. Two other wires were also badly chafed . Unfortunately the loom connector is about 8"" (200.mm) below the actual headlamp plug in connector and it was not possible to effect a repair nor ,indeed. see it without further dismantling.
1.
Off came the undertray - necessary since the front bolts for the bumper are covered by it.
2.Plastic Front bumper shroud removed -just a matter of releasing the set scews.

3. The frontmost part of the wheelarch plastic cover needs to be removed in order to access the outer front bumper set screws. Again these are held by setscrews
4.
Now the headlamp itself can be easily removed.

the wiring loom connector can now be seen and easily accessed and it will be seen to be lying atop a short length of chassis member which runs at right angles from the heavy steel front bumper proper, from a position at about the centre line of the double headlamp unit and running towards the back of the car. This short chassis member has a raised and somewhat sharp centre seam which is what causes the damage.Clearly it should have had a rubber protective cover over the seam. The nearside same item did have such a cover-obviously a failure of assembly procedure on one side.

5. the severed wire was lengthened by soldering a short length of similar wire -I suppose a plastic connector would also suffice here. This was well wrapped with good quality insulating tape as was the loom itself in the immediate area.

6.Finally the raised seam of the cross- member was covered by a short 8" length of thickwalled rubber tubing (part of old hydraulic hose) which was split down the centre and fitted nice and tightly on the seam.
Job done!
Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

Regards to all .. Mike.

10th November 2014, 18:16	#1
cambox Regular poster Rover 75. Connoisseur Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Blackburn Posts: 34 Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Power failure to offside dipped beam. Hi. The offside dipped beam has failed on my 2002 Rover 75 Diesel Con model. It is not the bulb nor any fuse (non fitted) It appears to be a power supply failure in that a test lamp probe fitted into the detached connector fails to light. The same side main beam and sidelight work as does all main and dipped lights on the nearside. The bulbs are all H7. type. The fault is also indicated on the dash computer as "Dipped Beam fault". I am baffled having spent hours fiddling and checking. I would really appreciate any advice from members. Kind Regards to all . Mike.

10th November 2014, 18:17	#2
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	check the loom where it goes over the front chassis rail, a known weak spot __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

10th November 2014, 18:30	#4
RogerHeinz57 I really should get out more....... A Reasonably Priced Car Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Burton Latimer Posts: 2,530 Thanks: 408 Thanked 1,064 Times in 712 Posts	Lamp Failure. There have been some issues with wiring harnesses chafing on the bodywork, This may be slightly difficult to spot due to the lack of space in that vicinity. This may be traced by touch if you gain access from the wheelarch access panel. The multi plug can be difficult to get off as well. Wires to check red/black blue/grey blue/pink. I imagine one or more of these would have a problem. Hope this helps.

18th November 2014, 12:07	#6
cambox Regular poster Rover 75. Connoisseur Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Blackburn Posts: 34 Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Dipped Beam power failure -update. Hi. All. the culprit was a severed wire close to the loom connector for the offside headlamp. Two other wires were also badly chafed . Unfortunately the loom connector is about 8"" (200.mm) below the actual headlamp plug in connector and it was not possible to effect a repair nor ,indeed. see it without further dismantling. 1. Off came the undertray - necessary since the front bolts for the bumper are covered by it. 2.Plastic Front bumper shroud removed -just a matter of releasing the set scews. 3. The frontmost part of the wheelarch plastic cover needs to be removed in order to access the outer front bumper set screws. Again these are held by setscrews 4. Now the headlamp itself can be easily removed. the wiring loom connector can now be seen and easily accessed and it will be seen to be lying atop a short length of chassis member which runs at right angles from the heavy steel front bumper proper, from a position at about the centre line of the double headlamp unit and running towards the back of the car. This short chassis member has a raised and somewhat sharp centre seam which is what causes the damage.Clearly it should have had a rubber protective cover over the seam. The nearside same item did have such a cover-obviously a failure of assembly procedure on one side. 5. the severed wire was lengthened by soldering a short length of similar wire -I suppose a plastic connector would also suffice here. This was well wrapped with good quality insulating tape as was the loom itself in the immediate area. 6.Finally the raised seam of the cross- member was covered by a short 8" length of thickwalled rubber tubing (part of old hydraulic hose) which was split down the centre and fitted nice and tightly on the seam. Job done! Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. Regards to all .. Mike.

10th November 2014, 18:21	#3
cambox Regular poster Rover 75. Connoisseur Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Blackburn Posts: 34 Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thank you David for your very prompt reply.. I will Check and report back.

10th November 2014, 21:59	#5
cambox Regular poster Rover 75. Connoisseur Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Blackburn Posts: 34 Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thank you John .I'll check that as well. Kind Regards. Mike.