Garage claims my headlights are not working

[Morat]

BASTARDS!
They were switched on when I took them in there, now they're claiming they don't work. I can only imagine that they've had them sitting there on sidelights flashing away until the HID Ballasts died.
First they tried to tell me that I needed a new headlamp switch because the dipped beams were "flashing". Now they don't work at all.
I'm about to get very loud :/

[pacerpete]

Why are / were your sidelights / dip beams flashing ?

[magpie]

get the gunz out

[DanThe]

Why are / were your sidelights / dip beams flashing ?

Dim-dip shenanigans should be disconnected if your using HID's

[pacerpete]

Why are / were your sidelights / dip beams flashing ?

Dim-dip shenanigans should be disconnected if your using HID's

Thats what I thought.

Why is the OP driving around with incorrectly wired hids ? Where does he get his MOTs ? Is it really a ploy to attract minors ?

[Morat]

Hah, yes paedo spec

HIDS worked great, just not on position one and I never bothered disconnecting the dim dip resistors because... I'm a big fat lazy person who never needed position one anyway. I havn't had a problem getting an MOT with them because I've never encountered a mechanic who didn't have the nouse to pull the switch all the way out. Anyway, I live in Yorkshire. As long as you've got ONE headlight round here you're doing well.

Back to standard H1 candles for the MOT :/

Anyway, they've got their revenge... I suddenly have two holes in my centre box. W@NKERS!

[Brianmoooore]

It wouldn't have taken long to pull two little plugs and sockets apart when you fitted the HIDs - they're easily accessible on the inner wing.
The MOT tester concerned is obviously 'not too bright' to say the least, but that's what you get in a country where 'motor mechanic', along with plumbing and similar is considered is considered to be a sink occupation for those who leave education with no or few qualifications.

[Demlotcrew]

Its probably just the fuses.

[Brianmoooore]

Its probably just the fuses.

Worth checking! The high inrush current will have put a considerable strain on them.
Don't rely on a visual check of the fuses either, since they will only have 'soft blown' if this is indeed the case.
I once drove around for a month with one light out on one of my cars, thinking a ballast had failed, then found that the fuse which I had visually checked was actually blown.

[Morat]

i should have disconnected the dim dip. Mea Culpa etc etc. I'm not going to bother with excuses beyond a childish delight in having flashing lights on my car.

I've shown them how to put the original H1 bulbs back in. I actually pointed out the connector on the reflector and the spade connector for the bulb. Thanks for the tip on the fuses, it did cross my mind but I couldn't remember which ones they are. Also I was busy nagging meatballs by PM, email and phone for a quote on a centre box! (he got back to me very fast, to be fair).

I just want the damn MOT, I'll test the HIDs when I get the poor molested turd back home.

[DanThe]

Put this image on yer fone

[Morat]

Not a bad plan, that! I had looked it up in the wiki - but having it to hand would be idea
Thanks!

[BenHar]

I've got a print of that in the fuse box.

Ben

[Brianmoooore]

If the fuses are blown, you still won't have working lights when the H1s are refitted.

[Demlotcrew]

If the fuses are blown, you still won't have working lights when the H1s are refitted.

[Morat]

Hah! I had actually got that far on my own - I'm going to tell them to check 13 and 14 in the morning

[Brianmoooore]

Hah! I had actually got that far on my own - I'm going to tell them to check 13 and 14 in the morning

If they weren't bright enough to realise that the flashing lights weren't anything to do with the switch, they're unlikely to spot a 'soft' blown fuse either. Tell them to change them regardless.

[Morat]

I have an MOT! Another twelve months
Sadly, I'm back on H1s for the moment. Later on I'll plug the HID burners back in and see if it was them or the fuses that failed.

On the upside, I've got 4x Michelin Alpin 180/70 fitted on a set of bottletops for £250 and a genuine BMW centre section to go with my Eberspacher (OEM Manufacturer) rear box. The car is now incredibly refined compared to the old Peko bad boy "Days of Thunderbox" replica.
to Meatballs82 for being super helpful and ensuring fast delivery

[jon-m42]

get the guns out +1

[JF008]

Hey guys, I just fitted an HID kit and have those stroboscopic parking lights, I found lots of info right here but I would need to know where the parking light resistor is and what to do with it.. just pull and tape whatever is connected there then job done? cheers.

[Brianmoooore]

Hey guys, I just fitted an HID kit and have those stroboscopic parking lights, I found lots of info right here but I would need to know where the parking light resistor is and what to do with it.. just pull and tape whatever is connected there then job done? cheers.

Nothing to tape up! Just find two separate round two pin plugs and sockets near the front of the LH inner wing, and pull them apart.
Job done.
The wires leading forwards from these plugs go to the dim dip resistor, mounted right at the front of the inner wing, which can be removed if desired, but it's difficult to get at the two screws with the outer wings on, so can be just left.

[JF008]

Thanks, another problem solved!!

[G-Bear]

Put this image on yer fone

Good idea that..