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Car Lights Blown

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Driving home last night down a country lane and both headlights went out. No where to safely pull in or phone reception . My full beams working but don't want to bind cars, but also don't want to drive with no lights. After a lot of panicking I decided drive at 20mph with hazards until I made somewhere safer to stop. It was one of the scariest drives Iv ever had to do! Taking my little old car to the garage today and praying it's not too expensive 😞

MumOfThree
over a year ago
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BW07

Sounds like a 50p fuse has blown in the fuse box.

Shame if it is because they will probably charge £90 hourly rate for it.

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MumOfThree

Is that easy to change yourself? I'm hoping it's not too expensive but sounds about right for a garage 😞

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BW07

MumOfThree it is if you know which one to change. Usually in owners manual showing the fuse box and which fuse does what.

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MumOfThree

BW07 thank you I'll have a look but I know so little about cars I think I'll end up paying someone

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davidstockport

50p FUSE ! Less than 5p (with free postage here)☺ https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/253655432626?chn=ps Those garages don't 'alf charge a lot.

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Username55157

Certainly won't be the bulbs, they rarely go together at the same time. Fuses are just pop out and pop in as BW07 has said, definitely try that before spending a fortune at a garage for a 5 minute job

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MumOfThree

Yep it's the fuse managed to change it with help from my neighbour, really pleased I posted here I had no idea thought it was the bulbs! Feel a bit embarrassed now but better to be embarrassed here than at the garage with a big expense!

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Username55157

MumOfThree there is nothing to be embarrassed about, the main thing is it is fixed and you're quids in, better in your pocket than a garage who may over charge because of your gender, I've had it happen to me many a time. Plus you have now got a new skill. Glad it is sorted for you

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BW07

MumOfThree thats what were here for to save money buying stuff and save money fixing things 👍 glad i could help.

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davidstockport

BW07 Interesting solution - I'd never realised until now that full beam and dipped beam were on separate fuses. Is it the same on all cars? I'd never given it any thought but, circuit wise, I guess it could be either way.

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BW07

davidstockport yes as they require different amounts of power. So if any where more than 1 bulb goes then the fuse box should be the first place to check. Unless you've crashed then just head to the pub.

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Username55157

davidstockport fuses thankfully are a lot easier to replace than bulbs on modern cars too. Wipers are another thing that work on separate fuses, on the old Ford Galaxy there was 7 fuses for the wipers in total, found that out stuck in a blizzard with no wipers

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MumOfThree

Now at work my boss reckons it couldn't have been the fuse as my main beams were working, he reckons the wiring is somehow loose and possibly fixed it. Ultimately posting here saved me and replacing the fuse worked. Now Iv noticed a crack in my screen this morning 😞 . It's probably about a 5p Image

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davidstockport

It could be that, like myself until yesterday, your boss never realised that there is separate fuse for main beam and dipped beam.

When I started driving, over 50 years ago, the dip-switch was like a pedal on the floor and I always thought (perhaps wrongly) it literally "switched" the power from the main beam wire to the dipped beam wire. (which is theoretically possible).

A simple way for you to set your mind at ease (that it isn't a loose wire) is to check that the fuse replaced was actually blown, I'm now betting it was.

A fuse blowing can (but not always) be an indication that there is something wrong with the electrics - for what they cost (many pound shops sell packets of them) it's worthwhile carrying a few spares in the glove compartment.

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MumOfThree

davidstockport ok thank you, he didn't see my car it's only speculation really. I think I will be keeping some spare in the car great advice thanks for getting back to me. My dad passed away a few years ago and I don't have anyone to ask so appreciate the response.

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davidstockport

If the damage to your windscreen (often caused by loose chippings) is not in your eyeline it can be repaired, the good news is that most insurance companies will pay for the repair without any excess or it affecting your no claim bonus. (it costs them much less than paying for a new windscreen).

It's important that you get any crack repaired as soon as possible before it spreads,

If you phone your insurance company to check - they will probably give you the name of an approved repairer.

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davidstockport

This might be of further interest - I do advise that you DON'T try any DIY methods of fixing windscreen damage - they don't mention on video that most insurers will pay for the repair - but I can assure you most do, (you just have to give details to the repair man, who comes to you, and sign form)

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Username55157

This is for a Corsa, shows that there are different fuses for the lights. As for the windscreen, if it is in the 'A Zone' basically where your drivers/offside wiper goes it could possibly be an MOT failure, I couldn't see it clearly from your photo to see the depth and circumference of it. For chips that can be filled there is generally no charge at all, for cracks it would generally mean a replacement and you will be liable for the excess. Mine went last year and it cost me £95 just to forewarn you. Hope it gets sorted for you quicky Image

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davidstockport

Very small cracks can be repaired - if they're allowed to spread it means a new windscreen (not sure of exact dimensions) that's why I mentioned getting it repaired as soon as possible. small cracks will spread. I watched them repair the windscreen of a friend, apart from a little milkiness where the crack had been (which is why cracks in eyeline are not eligible for repair) you could hardly notice the repair unless you looked very hard. The full cost was covered by her insurance without any loss of no claims bonus.

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Username55157

davidstockport In general, most chips and cracks can be repaired, but it always depends upon four factors: the size, type, depth, and location of the damage. Results will vary based on age, amount of contamination, location & the severity of the damage. Years of working in garages

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MumOfThree

Called my insurance and they have said it's 75 pound excess for windscreen damage. My mot is due in a month so thinking about holding out till then to see if that's I'd there's anything major to do, I don't think it's big enough to fail an mot but it is in my line of vision

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davidstockport

That's bad news - I don't know the age of your car but if it's "getting on a bit" it is always possible that you might get a windscreen at a breaker's yard. I don't know the fitting cost though. In the past I've had a few door windows from a breaker's yard but been able to fit them myself.

I suppose the only good news is you probably won't lose any no claims bonus if it has to go through your insurance.

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davidstockport

There might be something here that helps:https://www.directline.com/car-cover/repairing-or-replacing-your-windscreen It does appear the way different Insurance companies deal with windscreen damage varies tremendously.

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