2010 Renault Fluence headlights gone.

sibergoth

hi.

my Fluence has been absolutely perfect for over 4 years. seriously no issues at all.

I had a tow hitch fitted about 6 months ago and have used it occasionally with the lights hooked up on a trailer. The trailer has been out in the rain of course and today I hooked up the trailer. I think all was good there, but didn't check. Indicators make a beeping sound when the trailer is hooked up.

anyway.
came to go out this evening and my headlights (dip) didn't come on!
main beam works, side and fog lights work. just dip beam is dead on both sides.

I don't suspect bulbs because why would both go at once?!

my theory is that maybe the trailer hitch had some water in it and somehow blew a fuse? but I can't find a fuse listed for the dip beams - at least not in the user serviceable parts section.

been googling this for a while and can't find a feckin' thing... Fluency is only in some countries and i guess not many people bothered putting any info up online!

anyway - if it isn't the bulbs or the fuse, what else could it be ? i found some mentions of a relay ??

is it likely to be the hitch that blew something?

any advice welcome.
cheers.

Foxhole Norman

I'd check the bulbs anyway, while not likely for both to go it could happen, takes about 5 mins to take out each cluster.

sibergoth

will do tomorrow in the day light!
cheers

slimjimmc

If it's anything like the Megane all the headlamp fuses are located in the fuse box next to the battery, you'll have to pull off a plastic cover.
This video shows how to replace the fusebox on the Megane but you won't have to do anything more than slip the cover off and perhaps disconnect one of the wires for better access. There may be a fuse guide moulded into the underside of the cover but you should be able to figure it out, they'll be 15A or 10A fuses.

Incidentally, there are more fuses in the bottom the fuse box which can only be accessed by removing the fusebox however I don't think they relate to lights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq-Ui69C7y4

johnayo

Why wouldn't it be the bulbs? They are probably in the vehicle for the same length of time, so are quite likely to blow around the same time. Well worth checking first as it will probably be the cheapest repair.

James Bond Junior

I had two bulbs blow in my car. Though there was a bigger issue but one has blown and I didn't notice and the other blew very soon after. Could be as simple as that.

Spook_ie

It never ceases to amaze and bemuse me the number of people who dont know they have a headlight out until stopped by the Gardai, go for an NCT or the second one goes and in the latter case probably assume something else is wrong.


As to the OP I wouldn't think the hitch would be wired anywhere near the headlight circuits

James Bond Junior

Spook_ie wrote: »

It never ceases to amaze and bemuse me the number of people who dont know they have a headlight out until stopped by the Gardai, go for an NCT or the second one goes and in the latter case probably assume something else is wrong.


As to the OP I wouldn't think the hitch would be wired anywhere near the headlight circuits

Bit of a sweeping statement. Can sometimes take a day or two to spot as you may not see the reflection on something or be driving in total darkness for it to become totally apparent.

sibergoth

guess what! Turns out it was the bulbs.. can't believe it.
i took the fusebox apart and checked everything anyway - all good.

weird !
never had two bulbs go at the same time - I drove in the dark only a couple of days ago and both lamps were fine, so they must have gone within a couple of days of each other.

anyway. €10 and the problem is solved...

thanks for the discussions and advice.
cheers

roverrules

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Bit of a sweeping statement. Can sometimes take a day or two to spot as you may not see the reflection on something or be driving in total darkness for it to become totally apparent.

Serious question for all, just to get a handle on it.

When did you last check your lights given that you should be checking them daily ( nightly? )

Special Circumstances

roverrules wrote: »

Serious question for all, just to get a handle on it.

When did you last check your lights given that you should be checking them daily ( nightly? )

Drive up behind another car. Can I see two reflections? Checked. Every trip.

James Bond Junior

Special Circumstances wrote: »

Drive up behind another car. Can I see two reflections? Checked. Every trip.

Do you actually think to do that on every journey? I would do it maybe once or twice a week when I think of it..

colm_mcm

I do, if you're looking you will know from reflections even during the day.

James Bond Junior

colm_mcm wrote: »

I do, if you're looking you will know even during the day.

This is true, I don't actively seek to check but if your aware of it you'll spot it fairly fast I guess..

colm_mcm

I'd be embarrassed driving around with blown bulbs

Special Circumstances

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Do you actually think to do that on every journey? I would do it maybe once or twice a week when I think of it..

Automatic at this stage, I only actively take any notice if I can't see two light points reflecting back from bumper. Usually it's just the shape of the bumper of the car ahead. I don't be on the phone and I have audio controls on the steering wheel so I've little else to be doing only paying attention! ;-)

James Bond Junior

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd be embarrassed driving around with blown bulbs

Knowingly I assume?

James Bond Junior

Special Circumstances wrote: »

Automatic at this stage, I only actively take any notice if I can't see two light points reflecting back from bumper. Usually it's just the shape of the bumper of the car ahead. I don't be on the phone and I have audio controls on the steering wheel so I've little else to be doing only paying attention! ;-)

A fair enough.. I guess to be posting in this forum on regular basis you'd be more aware of your car's basic safety requirements and keeping them in check. I Spotted a bulb gone in my girlfriends car yesterday straight away and replaced it this morning yet she hadn't seen it at all. That's not to say it hadn't just blown mind you.

colm_mcm

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Knowingly I assume?

Yeah, id be straight up to the motor factors

James Bond Junior

I have a few spares in my glovebox as I recently had a dodgy alternator blowing bulbs 5 mins after they were replaced!