headlight fault and fuse location on 312D

[kita]

Hi there. Thanks for the help with my last post and sorry if this has been covered but I can't find it....

1998 312D ex ambulance

Two probs-
1. All the bulbs in the headlamps are dim (both dipped and full beam)

2. On both the near and offside lamps, the lower headlamp bulb isn't coming on at all

Tested all the bulbs, they work fine.

My ideas for 1
- the connections are corroded. I cleaned them up a bit and seemed to help, but not enough.
- the reflectors have got dusty and the lamp cover is dirty. True but not THAT dirty
-the alternator output is low. Checked with my voltmeter and its 14V at the lights, seems right. Would resistance in the wiring raise the voltage, drop the current= less bright? Is it worth trying to wire straight to the batt as a test?

Fixes
All the above and if nothing else xenon bulbs.

My ideas for 2
-a fuse is missing or has blown for this circuit
-the switch for the lower bulbs (if there is one?) isn't working
-some problem with the connector pins/ wiring (but same prob on both sockets seems unlikely). Tested the socket that goes to the headlight with a voltmeter and of the five pins, three are +14V, two are neutral (or dead). Is that normal? Should it be four live one neutral?

Fixes
-find the fuse and replace. Is it under the steering column? Anyone know which one?
-Bridge the wiring for the top bulbs to the lower bulbs, and put a bigger fuse in that circuit?

Oh and I managed to shatter one of the glass headlamp covers! Great. Anyone got any spares?

Cheers all

[310D]

first things first. replace the fuse under the steering column before anything else. Sometimes they don't even look blown. I'll check and tell you which one tomorrow

[euro II 312D]

alternator has two brushes located behind it on a transistorized plate i think, it seems they are worn out, they are soft welded, so you can replace them with an electric iron, or buy the new one repalcement that comes with the two brushes. let us know

[Col]

As it's ex ambulance, fault (lower bulbs) may be related to wig-wag headlamp flashers??

[wookie_73]

Hi Did you sort you problem??

If so what was it, as the head/tail lights on my sprinter have packed up.
I have checked the fuses and lamps but no joy.

Cheers Dave

[JAY1]

Hi guys

Had this same fault on my old 1996 312d and funnily enough on my newer 2002 lt(same vehicle just vw badge and engine......and a bit cheaper!)
On my sprinter it turned out to be a loose connection to one of the bulbs. The wire to the connecter had come a bit loose. Had an autoelectrician solder it back on.

On my new van I get this problem occasionly and have a feeling it's the inidcator stalk as is sometimes happens after having ful beam on and if i click i on and off a few times it usually sorts itself out.

Let me know if this helps