Headlamp problem

[Janey]

Good afternoon. I could really do with some advice please. My 58reg diesel vauxhall Insignia CDTi is a fantastic car! It runs brilliantly and always has done. However recently the headlamps have been playing up. They're fine dipped but when i put them into full beam they flash for a few seconds before settling down, and now although the dash says i'm on full beam it sometimes takes a few attempts to get them to go on full beam. The garage has put a new indicator stalk on and that makes no difference at all, and so the old stalk is back on and the problem remains the same. They're now at a bit of a loss as am i. They're talking about relays which i understand are welded in and will cost a small fortune to replace or test. Has anyone else had this issue with their Insignia before? and if so was is resolved and how?? I don't want to get rid of this car I know she's an old lady now but she's in great condition and runs brilliantly she's only just (despite her age) clocked 100Kmiles. I would really be most grateful if someone out there can help me. I should add the garage I use are very trusted and have served me excellently for years now.

[Janey]

I should add My alternator and battery are fine...this was suggested as a possible issue on another forum.

[RBH]

You found it

[Lewish]

Perhaps you could record a video of the problem and post it up here.

[Janey]

Not sure that'll make much difference it's simply the headlights flashing on and off when I put them on full. That's of course WHEN they decide to go on full. I have ti flick the headlamp/indicator stalk several times before they go into full beam.

[Dave1419]

Sounds like a relay is starting to fail----not sure which one it is---will try and have a look for you---perhaps some of other regulars on here might help---if its a relay i'm sure they just pull out and put the new one in------Dave

[Janey]

my garage are under the impression that the relays are welded in!!!

[Dave1419]

Welded in ???--I have been looking and what I can find is that there are 3 relays in the engine fuse box that control the headlights---I will put up the pictures and the number of the fuses that should be looked at---unfortunately the relay colours are not shown in the Haynes manual but of the 3 ----2 should be the same colour.the fuses you need to check are --F14--F37 and F38.Ont he pictures you will see the Dots next to the relays that control the lights.if your garage is saying that the relays are welded then I would get an Auto electrician to have a look at it in case something is not right with the electrics----E-F and G are the relays------Dave

[RBH]

Possibly means soldered.
If they've said "welded" then I'd go elsewhere.

[Dave1419]

That's what I would be doing too Rab----thinking that they are not bothered--that's why I mentioned an Auto-electrician------Dave

[lizzard-t]

Normally the headlamp relay is of an orange colour .
Or it could be the CIM ( central integrated module ) which lies behind the steering wheel .but an auto electrician shoukd be able to assertain what's at fault .

[Dave1419]

Wasn't too sure which colour but according to Haynes 2 are the same connections and the 3rd one is smaller----and they just pull out from the fusebox-----Dave

[Janey]

Thank you chaps I’m so very grateful for all your assistance I’m at the end of my tether with the head lights I’m so afraid the what ought to be a reasonable fix may turn out to be too expensive for the age of the car. I love this car and I’ve no intention of scrapping her for a faulty headlight

[RBH]

I love this car

Your not from Sheffield by any chance????

[Witty]

Your not from Sheffield by any chance????

His wife was called Jane.