head lights won t go out of park

[irish320i]

it only happens sometimes and will usually work if i switch the ignition of and on again any help would be great

[Brianmoooore]

If I could work out what you're talking about, I would try to help.

[irish320i]

sorry bout that what happens sometimes is that when the engine is running an i pull the light knob out fully the lights stay in park they don t get brighter if i turn the car of and back on and try the lights again they work ok sorry if im not explaining it clearly thanx

[Hyperion]

i think its the light switch, that could be the problem, my one once did this, but only once. So i suspect if it starts happening more then the first thing i would look at is the wiring etc.

[Brianmoooore]

If neither the main beams (inner lights) or dip beams (outer lights) come on, then the main light switch is the chief suspect.
When the fault is not present and with the light switch on the first position, are your outer lamps brighter with the engine running than when the ignition is off.? I.e. Do you have the dim dip driving light function on your car?

[E30Mark]

it's not a '88 ish registered car is it? does it have the ballast resistors behind the n/s headlamp, i believe these cause trouble sometimes. Rip 'em out !

[Brianmoooore]

it's not a '88 ish registered car is it? does it have the ballast resistors behind the n/s headlamp, i believe these cause trouble sometimes. Rip 'em out !

Wires fall off the end of the resistors sometimes, but they don't normally cause trouble as such. Just one or other of the dim dips doesn'y work. I suppose the rotted off wire could short against the bodywork if disturbed, but this would just cause intermittant fuse blowing.

[irish320i]

my parks do et brighter with the engine running and the heads work fine its just the dip beams ill change the sitch see if the problem comes back