Headlight failure

[Cpt. Dougall]

G'Day all,

I'm a proud owner of a 1999 110 tdi defender.
I've done a bit of reading and i seem to have experienced a common problem where my headlights no longer work (went out mid-drive) however my side lights still work. My high-beams still work when i pull the indicator column towards me to 'flash' them.
I'm fairly sure this means that i will be needing a new indicator stalk. Thoughts? Have checked all fuses but haven't done much more than that.
I was planning on putting in a new relay for the headlights upon recommendation from a friend so will try and role both jobs into one.

Any tips or advice would be super helpful and very much appreciated.
Thanks legends!

[dennisS1]

No you need a new light switch, pretty easy to change just plugs in, need to remove steering column cover. Quick fix cut all wires switch side of plug and join them this way you can turn them off by unplugging the plug.
Dennis

[AK83]

I've been caught out with this sort of issue myself too.(not on an LR tho).
Don't forget to check the actual headlight globes too! May sound silly, but can be a real thing.
Saved about half an hour of stuffing about with checking this and that.
At the time I only had one spare H4 to replace both burned out globes, but one is better than none.

[Bigbjorn]

I've been caught out with this sort of issue myself too.(not on an LR tho).
Don't forget to check the actual headlight globes too! May sound silly, but can be a real thing.
Saved about half an hour of stuffing about with checking this and that.
At the time I only had one spare H4 to replace both burned out globes, but one is better than none.

LR switches are rubbish. They will not handle high current loads of high wattage headlights You must have double relays and heavy gauge wiring on your light circuits. My County is now wired with a separate relay to each beam each side and to the driving and fog lights.

[JDNSW]

As above. Fitting higher than standard wattage lights will invariably cause the failure of either the multifunction switch or the light switch or both. Since you flasher works, I would suspect the light switch.

But definitely check the fuses first! Although I think the flash function uses the same fuse as the headlight function.

As Bigbjorn says - fit relays.

[Cpt. Dougall]

No you need a new light switch, pretty easy to change just plugs in, need to remove steering column cover. Quick fix cut all wires switch side of plug and join them this way you can turn them off by unplugging the plug.
Dennis

Thanks for the correction. How do i confirm it's the headlight switch? Should i be able to see signs of failure or is it a case of just replacing it and hoping that'll fix it?

[Don 130]

If you take it out, you'll see the copper contacts have melted the plastic they're mounted in. If you don't have the skills yourself, get auto electrician to fit a relay to the circuit while everything is apart. It will happen again if you don't.
Another option, is to get Tim's headlight or headlight/driving light wiring upgrade to make your lights brighter. There are relays in his system.

Def-Headlight Wiring Upgrade Kit | TRAXIDE - RV | Traxide - RV (http://www.traxide.com.au/additional-products/headlight-wiring-kits/def-headlight-wiring-upgrad.html)

Don

[DazzaTD5]

*Yes it's the indicator switch assembly, common common but more so on 2007 onwards Defenders.
*But also take into account other info posted here.

[Cpt. Dougall]

Update:

Looks like it was the main light switch (melted plastic around the contact of the blue wire). New one ordered and on the way.
Currently researching fitting a relay.
Thanks for all the help legends.

[filcar]

Update:

Looks like it was the main light switch (melted plastic around the contact of the blue wire). New one ordered and on the way.
Currently researching fitting a relay.
Thanks for all the help legends.

Traxide make kits to suit, I have fitted one of these to run my Fyrlyts, came with everything needed. Def-COMBO HL & Driving Light Wiring Kit | TRAXIDE - RV | Traxide - RV (http://www.traxide.com.au/additional-products/headlight-wiring-kits/def-combo-hl--driving-light.html)