Car headlights

[deso]

I just replaced a headlamp bulb but the new one doesn't work either. Both old & new work OK if full beam is selected, but neither will work on dipped. I thought it may be a fuse but surely this would also affect the bulb on full beam. The side light bulb has also stopped working; It was OK before I put the new headlight bulb in though. I'm slightly baffled. Can anyone throw any light on this? (excuse the pun!!)

[ugly_bob]

Sounds like it could be a fuse.
I think the full beam has a separate fuse from other headlight functions

[sddsddean]

Dipped and main beam are nearly always seperate fuses, so investigate this first. If a bulb blows, it quite often blows the fuse as well, so it could be both (if you see what I mean). Side lights are normally a seperate bulb and holder, so you may have dislodged this whilst replacing the main bulb.

[Toureman]

Motoring questions are always easier to answer if full details of the car are given, all manufactures are different!

[BuckTarbrush]

I have a similar problem with my Peugeot 405 at the moment, all bulbs are ok as i have tried them in a friends car. I have side lights and main beam but dip only works every now and then, I was told it was the stalk on the steering column that was the problem but I have replaced it with a new one and its still no better, is it likely to be a faulty relay somewhere ? as surely if it was a blown fuse, dip would not work at all

Any help would be great,Thanks

[deso]

Thanks for the tips people. Point taken Toreman, but it was general principles I was after, such as the very useful tip that dipped & mainbeam may be on different circuits.

[Mortartube]

BuckTarbrush, go here. This French car forum will undoubtedly be able to advise.

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/index.php

[BuckTarbrush]

Thanks Mortartube, that looks a good site

[dzug]

The intermittent problem could be a faulty or rusty earth connection

[QueenOfSheba]

I have a similar problem with my 1990 Audi 100 2.3E - The sidelights work fine, but dim to nothing when the main headlights are put on! It's been suggested to me that it may be a control unit. Fogs will only work if non-existent headlights are put on!

Does anyone have the answer?!