[s-cars] Low beams not working

[Varon H. Fugman]

If you are getting +12V to the low beam connector it would seem like it would have to be a ground issue, but I don't see a place in the wiring diagram where a bad ground would (a) cause both low beams to go out at the same time while (b) still giving you high beams and fogs.

It is possible you are seeing a "phantom" 12V on your meter that will disappear as soon as you put a load on it.

My headlight switch failed a few years ago, (at least I'm 85% sure it is the switch) but I lost both low and high beams except when pulling the stalk for flash-to-pass. Drove home 35 miles one snowy night holding the stalk for high beams and apologizing to all the oncoming traffic the whole way home!

I never actually replaced my multifunction switch--I added a relay under the dash to switch 12V power for the lights. In theory the relay is in parallel with the failed contacts in the headlight switch.

I control it (here comes the embarrassing part) with a switch which gets its power from the lighter socket. This was intended as a temporary emergency fix, but has been in place 3 years now. An added advantage is I can run headlights (or headlights + fogs) without tail lights for use as DRLs.

Even with the Bentley wiring diagram, the headlight circuits aren't easy to figure out. Good luck, and don't be afraid to Frankenstein-brew an alternative headlight switch!

Varon
'95 urS6

> On Jul 22, 2017, at 3:21 PM, Tom Green <trgreen at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Paul, 
> 
> I suggest you disregard all the advice you have received, and instead just 
> replace the headlight switch (You know. the multifunction stalk on the left side of the steering column.) I am confident we are discussing a LHD USA vehicle despite the e-code lights installed.
> 
> Does anyone really think both headlight low beams failed at the exact same time and the high beams and fog lights still work?  
> 
> The headlight housings are easily removed so there is no reason to try to repair them in place on the vehicle.  At 291K mi. they probably could use a good cleaning and maybe a glass lens replacement to recover the 20 to 30% light output you have lost since new.
> 
> For advice, you really need to go the Quattroworld UrS4/6 & S2/RS2 forum.
> 
> Tom
> 
>> On Saturday, July 22, 2017, at 8:33 AM,"weski at verizon.net" <weski at verizon.net> wrote:
>> 
>> Looking for some troubleshooting assistance with figuring out why the 
>> low beams on both sides of my S6 aren't working.  What I've done so far:
>> 
>> * New H1 bulbs (E-Code headlights)
>> * Confirmed 12V on bulb lead wire inside headlight assembly (turns
>>   on/off with column switch)
>> * High beams and fog lights all work fine
>> 
>> I'm at 291,000 miles and due for inspection in July and can't seem to 
>> get my low beams working to pass. Suggestions for next step to try?
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Paul
> 
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