HELP HELP HELP!!!!

[Mark Mackenzie]

I have a 1.4 Fiat Brava 1996, I fitted four 12v 100W mainbeam lights and they worked for a week then the dip beem light on the rh side blew, I replaced this twice then it would not power at all. Checked this with a multimeter still 12v, replaced both dip bulbs with 12V 55W and both work, but the power is about 3rd, the side lights are nearley stronger. Full beam is still perfect. Please help getting very desperate.

 

[Nick]

Cooked wiring

If you are reading 12V on no load, but the bulbs are dim, then you have a high resistance connection somewhere, most likely in the relay that controls the lights.

Most likely the extra load caused by the excessive lighting has burnt the contacts. Changing the relay (I'm guessing there is a relay - sometimes its just a switch) may sort it out, but in principle, any connection in the lighting circuit could be damaged. If you want to run large lights, then you will have to upgrade the wiring to cope, including connections and relays. I'm suprised a fuse didn't blow, but then I'm guessing at how they have been wired up! More details on how you have wired them would be useful.

 

[Richard]

100W Bulbs

Hi Mark, I have also replaced my original bulbs with 100W, but so far mine are working OK. Check your Dip beam Relay also Earth wire. I will be interested to hear other responses, but in the meantime hope my info. helps.
Richard

 

[John]

What Type

Richard, what type of bulbs are you using and where did you buy them? I am trying to source New Headlight Units as mine have holes in them. This is caused by the plastic on the top of the unit going brittle and cracking, this was caused I believe by fitting uprated 55w bulbs that were made by PIAA. I am trying to find out if the Marea Headlight units will fit as the light from these units is supposed to be better than the standard Bravo's, I would be interested in your set-up

Cheers

John

 

[Mark Mackenzie]

Lights Still not working

Thanks for the responses guys but i still need more help. The car was standard when I added the 4x 100watt bulbs. I had not added and extra fuses or relays, the drivers side dip light blew and I replaced it, it blew again and then would not power another bulb. I took out the passanger side dip bulb and replaced both with 55watt bulbs which both work but are as dim as a candle on viagra. I have checked all the fuses in the box and they are ok, however there is anothe box marked fuse in the engine compartment which I haven't checked as my wife uses the car everyday. My MOT runs out at midnight today, somebody please help I need step by step instructions. PS The car is a standard Fiat Brava 5 door 1.4.

Many Thanks Mark

 

[Nick]

.....

You will need a Haynes manual or a wiring diagram to sort this out properly. You need to identify if there is a relay in the dipped beam circuit, or if it routes directly through the switch. Maybe somebody here knows this already. Then (if there is a relay) you need to swap it for a known good one.

If it routes through the switch (as it did on an old Vauxhall Viva I had) then you will need to replace this.(or bypass the switch to check that that solves the problem)

I believe most systems in the UK now have a resistor that gives the dim-dipped beam when the sidelights are on. It could be that this has failed, or is no longer being switched out of the circuit.

On reflection, I think an auto electrician is going to be the best way of sorting this out. You would have failed an MOT with 100W bulbs anyway (not that thats any consolation)

 

[Richard]

100W Bulbs

Hi John, If you look through some of the other Posts on the Forum there are other folk who are going to fit Marea Headlights, but I think it would be very expensive unless you could pick up a set from a "Scrappy" I live in Northern Ireland and just bought my 100W bulbs from a local Motor Factor, cost £14 something for all 4. They are made by Osram and are the "short type" ie the same length as the original 55W. You can get a longer type which apparently last for a longer time but I'm not sure if these would fit the Dip Beam (because of the shield built into the reflector) I have a Year 2000 HGT with the Glass Headlights, which I didn't think give a very good spread of light hence the stronger bulbs. There is now more light from them but I still don't think that they are good. I presume from your post that you have plastic headlights. I don't know much about these but would'nt have thought that fitting 100W bulbs would cause any problems to them. Hope this preamble helps you but if you want any more info give me a shout.
Cheers,
Richard

 

[Steve D]

100w bulbs illegal

Now i may be jumping to conclusions but if your using 100w bulbs on the road.......

As far as i know the 100w bulbs are illigal for road use in the UK (even when they are not on - say during the day). Your car would fail an MOT with theses bulbs in and are only supposed for off road use, hence they are sold in the first place. If you are stopped with these bulbs the police can take them off you and then you won't be able to drive your car as you don't have bulbs in your lights, and no the police won't give you a lift down to your local motoring store to buy some proper 'legal' bulbs (that are 'e' marked approved).

With fitting these bulbs your making it a danger to other road users. Just think if someone hit you becauee of your lights and your lights were found to be illegal - the accident is your fault.

 

[Steve D]

100w bulbs illegal

Now i may be jumping to conclusions but if your using 100w bulbs on the road.......

As far as i know the 100w bulbs are illigal for road use in the UK (even when they are not on - say during the day). Your car would fail an MOT with theses bulbs in and are only supposed for off road use, hence they are sold in the first place. If you are stopped with these bulbs the police can take them off you and then you won't be able to drive your car as you don't have bulbs in your lights, and no the police won't give you a lift down to your local motoring store to buy some proper 'legal' bulbs (that are 'e' marked approved).

With fitting these bulbs your making it a danger to other road users. Just think if someone hit you becauee of your lights and your lights were found to be illegal - the accident is your fault.

 

[Steve D]

100w bulbs illegal

Now i may be jumping to conclusions but if your using 100w bulbs on the road.......

As far as i know the 100w bulbs are illigal for road use in the UK (even when they are not on - say during the day). Your car would fail an MOT with theses bulbs in and are only supposed for off road use, hence they are sold in the first place. If you are stopped with these bulbs the police can take them off you and then you won't be able to drive your car as you don't have bulbs in your lights, and no the police won't give you a lift down to your local motoring store to buy some proper 'legal' bulbs (that are 'e' marked approved).

With fitting these bulbs your making it a danger to other road users. Just think if someone hit you becauee of your lights and your lights were found to be illegal - the accident is your fault.

 

[Martin]

I have 100watters in both main and dips and the car recently passed it's MOT

They have been in the car for at least 2 years no cooked wiring or owt. Must be lucky

 

[Richard]

100W Bulbs

Hi ya Steve D, You didn't need to send me three messages as I received your first one. The MOT Centre that you attend must be very efficient indeed. The MOT Inspectors that have tested my vehicles have yet to examine any of my light bulbs.( over a period of 12 years).With reference to the Police taking my light bulbs :- 1) I live in Northern Ireland where the Police have more important Duties to preform,than to stop every car and check to see if their drivers are using 100W headlight bulbs!!
2) If you have ever driven in France or Spain you would know what to do if this happened!!
I don't consider that I am causing any danger to any other driver on the roads by using 100W bulbs in my headlights, could you explain how I am?
Bye for now,
Richard
PS I had better not tell you what Headlight Bulbs I use in my White Van then.

 

[Martin]

You got a white van as well as your fiat as well then

Me too, don't want to run my fiat into the ground so I bought a van to do the mileage instead
Got big power bulbs in that too

 

[Richard]

My White Van

Hi Martin, Yep I got a big White Van, with big headlight bulbs, big Spotlights and big Driving lights. I use to drive big Miles in Ireland, GB & Continent but I have "wised up" and only cover Ireland & GB now.
CU Later,
Richard

 

[Steve D]

Bulbs again

Sorry about the 3 messages, i put it down to the crap computer i was using.

As for being a danger to other drivers, it really annoys me when i driver comes towards me with his lights on main beam, cos on a dark road it blinding and i often have to slow down otherwise i probably end up in the ditch just to the left of me, and there only 60w (55w dipped 60w main)so if someone came towards me with 100w bulbs then **** there gonna be bright - to bright!!! Now forgive me if im wrong but if your using 100w bulbs on main beam only then fine no probs you'll swithch back to dip beam when someone else comes along, but i'm sure i havnen't seen a 55w/100w bulb??

I haven't chanced the 100w bulbs in MOT test station. Due to links in the trade, all car bulbs must 'e' approved and 100w bulbs arn't.

 

[Richard T]

jobsworth

Hey Steve D,

maybe you should consider becoming a traffic warden/MOT tester/other government official as you seem to know so much about the technicalities of eveything.

Oh and how does a 100w bulb on dipped beam 'blind' you when it is dipped! the word dipped means it is pointing downwards- therefore out of your line of sight, just because these guys are putting stronger bulbs in their lights (so they dont run over those lovely traffic wardens) doesnt automatically mean they will be reckless and drive at you with their full beam on!

take a chill pill!
R

 

[Nick]

Dazzle

Dipped lights reflect off the road into the eyes of oncoming drivers, particularly in wet conditions. I'm suprised you havn't noticed.
This is why there is a limit on the output of dipped lights.

 

[Steve D]

Guess what - bulbs again

Okay richard both said our bit, and to me you have a point and it does make sense in one, way but not in another.
Just expressing opinons - didn't mean to irritate.
Well and truly chilled now

Oh one more thing, where do you get the application forms for becoming a traf..........

 

[Richard (with the white Van)]

100W Bulbs

Hi Steve D, there seem to be a lot of "Richards" about lately but however I'm the one with the big White Van.(a Fiat of course) Yea I know what you are saying about being blinded by guys on full beam, but my dipped headlights are adjusted correctly and won't bind anyone. I put the 100W bulbs in my headlights because I don't think the standard lights are very good, and while the 100W bulbs are better, they are still not great. Despite what you might think 100W bulbs don't give out anywhere near twice the amount of light as 55W bulbs. While on the subject does any one know the position re Osram Halogen Superbulbs, which claim to give out 30% more light. Should these be considered as 85W bulbs???
C U,
Richard(Big White Van)

 

[Andi]

live and let live

OH PLEASE, all this over a headlight bulb? Its each to their own, I'm happy with my standard bulbs, but if others want to have 100 watt bulbs I don't have a problem with it. Concerns should be with those that have headlights out, or badly adjusted. If it greaves you that much get 100 watts too, if you believe that they dazzle!!!! I don't.