Citroen Xsara - Dipped Headlights Not Working

[Pitmonster]

I have a 1999 (T-reg, pre-facelift) Citroen Xsara HDi (not a Picasso) and both of the dipped headlights stopped working yesterday.

The sidelights, main beams and front foglights still work.

All of the rear lights still work, as do the indicators.

When I turn the lights on, the headlight indicator lamp still lights up on the dashboard, as do the sidelights (which tells me that the light switch on the indicator stalk still works properly).

I do not believe the bulbs have gone - why would they both go at the same time? And why just the dipped beam?

I have checked all of the fuses inside the cabin (under the dash, by the steering wheel) and under the bonnet, and all are fine.

Does anybody know what the problem might be and how to fix it?

Could it be a relay, and if so where are they located? The handbook doesn't say (it only tells you about the fuses), and I don't have a Haynes manual.

If it is a relay, how much is a new one?

Thanks for your help.

[techbod]

more like a bad earth which would effect both dipped beams but the fuses are under the bonnet f14 and f15 and I have seen both go out from over power load so check the bulbs

[kfk]

Quite often owners, who arn't renowned for checking there lights work, will drive around with one lamp not working and not notice the reduced illumination........its only when both go out and there in darkness that they realise their headlamp bulbs have failed.......obviously one quick way of checking this would be to plug a bulb into the light unit and see if it illuminates.....if it does thats 50% of the problem solved.....you just need to do the second one then.

 

The alternative to this is to assume both wouldnt go together (which they probably didnt) and start checking fuses etc......which once identified and checked will more than likely be ok and you will have to try new bulbs!

[Pitmonster]

Well after checking everything out thoroughly it was the bulbs after all. I guess I'd convinced myself that they weren't the problem, but now I feel like a dummy for being stubborn. At least they're fixed now, thanks for the help.