Lights failure

[stealth]

driving last night and after a couple of flickers where headlights went out I lost total headlights, parkers and tail lights. Checked all fuses and all intact. Is there a relay that controls all these lights? Or does this sound like the switch has failed. Vehicle is 04 Defender 130.

[Psimpson7]

Does main beam still work?

if so its almost bound to be switch failure.

Rgds
Pete

[JDNSW]

The headlights do not have a relay, and the failure will be either the main switch or the combination switch. The main switch in particular is barely adequate for the load with standard headlight bulbs, but putting higher wattage bulbs in the headlights just about guarantees an early failure.

The main switch is easy to remove and inspect, the combination one a little more difficult. With the main switch, with a bit of luck you may find the contacts just burnt, and it can be fixed, at least long enough to get a new one by filing the contacts, but if unlucky the plastic will have melted and it will be beyond repair.

It is strongly recommended to add a relay(s) after replacing the switch - a search here will reveal quite a lot on the subject. One of our members advertises kits for this under "Markets" as Traxide.

John

[gconran]

Headlight Kits (http://www.traxide.com.au/HL_kits.html)

This is what you want mate.

I had exactly the same problem. Wait till you see the swicth, no doubt it will be melted and the contacts will be recessed into the plastic.

I have since installed the upgrade kit above and not only have I had no more problems but the headlights are better all round!

[CraigE]

It is almost certain your switch block has melted and the contact points recessed in. You will need a new switch block / arm. It is also advisable that youfit a relay. The best solution is a Traxide upgrade.
I had exactly the same happen a few years back.