Side Lights Not Functioning High Beam Ok

[rakar]

I've got a problem where the side lights don't function in normal mode, but are fine on high beam (its got HID). I've checked all the fuses but no Joy.

When the lights are switched on there is a relay click from somewhere in the passenger foot well I think and also in the fusebox from the "front controller" (very descriptive).

Any help appreciated or I'll be going through the wiring with a metre tracing cables :(

[is200 Newbie]

So the power to the light switch stalk to the relay to the fuse is ok (there are quite a few fuses on this car)

I would check the voltage at the light terminal - if there its then its got to be your bulbs .... coincidence that both have gone - maybe?

[rakar]

The side lighs and high beam are the same bulb. I believe the high beam runs on low power for side light operation. So there's some circuit or fuse responsible.

[is200 Newbie]

My understanding of 'sidelights' is probably wrong

I thought they were separate .. what do you mean by sidelights?

[ChumpusRex]

The high beams and side lights are different bulbs (same chamber in the headlight unit though).

The side lights are powered from the rather strangely named "front tail light" fuse and relay in the front-passenger side of engine compartment fuse/relay box, so it's worth a quick check to see if the fuse is OK - but more likely both bulbs have blown.

The bulbs are W5W type - easy to get for pennies. If considering an LED upgrade, don't get cheap eBay bulbs, they burn out very quickly, I've been through several sets of eBay LED side lights, they barely get through 6-9 months before burning out.

[normski2]

Mark is spot on.

Look up to the top of the light unit and you will see a small bulb located there. That is the sidelight bulb. I stupidly touched the body with a lit LED bulb and blew that fuse in the front compartment in the engine bay. That may well be where your problem lies.