Help please!

I have a new Blackline vRS (October). Noticed that dipped beam lights have stopped working but day lights and headlights are still functioning normally. Sure this should be covered by warranty but wanted to understand if there was a quick fix (i.e. could it simply be a fuse, although I think fuse also controls headlamps?).

Hence, at the moment, I have to put headlights on at dawn and dusk when side lights would more than suffice.

Any help would be appreciated.

Ah mis read that first time, yea check fuse in first instance then if both out. I would also check one of the bulbs if not that before heading to dealers. Just to confirm you are not talking about the sidelights that are there but not wired up in a VRS? As I would consider dipped beam as headlights.

as above, could you confirm what you mean.

You have:

side lights

dipped mean

main beam

Sidelights are not hooked up on your car, the DRL's are used as sidelights just dimmed slightly

As said above - the vRS doesn't have side-lights, your options are:

DRL's - Brightest setting (Daytime)

DRL's - Dimmest setting & Rear Lights (Dusk/Dawn)

DRL's - Dimmest setting & Headlights & Rear Lights (Night, Fog, Heavy Rain, etc)

On a side-note I've never ever been in a position where I've thought "ooo, sidelights would be so much better right now". Either I need lights, in which case headlights are perfect or I don't.

The DRL's mean that I can be seen (which is all sidelights are good for too - it's not as if they light anything up) and once I've got headlights on I've also got rears on which means I can be seen from that end too.

I'm sort of confused too. If you mean both dip beams have gone, but main beam still works then the normal fuse check would be 1st, followed by listening for a click to show the relay is operating when you switch them on under the bonnet as the actual power goes from the battery via a relay, the switch is low power and just operates the relay. It might be both your H7 bulbs have blown, not common but possible so that would be the next thing to check by swapping them out for new ones.

When you switch on high beam all 4 head light bulbs should operate, i.e. both dipped beamd H7's and the high beam H1's.

If you've got to change any bulbs you have to take the whole headlight unit out to change them- it's a bit fiddly so suggest you have another pair of hands available to hold the unit once you've pulled the release lever, undone the retaining nut and slid them forward as you then have to disconnect the electric plug to get them totally free and something soft like a bath towel to put them on after so you don't scratch them. If the unit is stuck and won't pull out easily give it a gentle tap with your fist from behind to break any crud seal, but have a wicket keeper handy in case it shoots out otherwise it might scratch the front bumper

Hope this helps. Let us know what the problem was please

Ade

Thanks for the all the help, I did mean side lights.

I was aware that the day lights dimmed when swithching lights on, but also thought there was side lights. Probably haven't noticed as until recently have got up in the dark and driven home in the dark, and hence, pretty much only used headlights.

However, knowing what I know now, it beggers belief that the day lights dim when you switch lights to 'side lights' (i.e. to have rear lights on). Hence, sounds like you have to have headlights on when it is still 90% daylight. Surely the day lights should stay fully lit under these conditions and only dim when headlights are required (i.e. when the street lights come on) - complete bonkers!! I've always hated it when people have their headlights on in daylight but seems I have to do the same!

Shame it wasn't a fuse problem but thanks again for clearing up the point.

its not an issue at all nor bonkers.

The DRL's are much better at being side lights than the tiny 5w bulbs you normaly find. There is absolutely no reason to put your headlights on when you'd normaly have your side's on.

In my works van I very rarely use the side lights anymore. Just the DRL's and the dipped beam

However, knowing what I know now, it beggers belief that the day lights dim when you switch lights to 'side lights' (i.e. to have rear lights on).

When I have my ones switched to Auto, my drl's are full on and my rear lights are on. Have you checked you ones?

Should be the same.

My drls dip when in position 1 (i.e side lights). So, when rear lights are on in position 1 there is reduced light at the front - crazy!

(Blackline doesn't have 'Auto' option)

Hence, when dusk/dawn/slight drizzle and any other condition that is 90% daylight I have to use headlights.

I hear the comments above but just have one simple question:

Why is there a position 1?? Why not just 'off' (i.e. drl's) and 'headlights'??

Bonkers and can't make any sense of it. Maybe I should go the whole hog and put my front fogs on in broad daylight too!!

Your reduced lower DRLs are as powerful as sidelights anyway, so surely no problem?

I think people tend to vastly over-estimate the conditions under which sidelights are appropriate anyway. There is probably about quarter of an hour in the morning and the same in the evening where they are suitable and for that amount if time I just stick the headlights on. I don't know if its their official view but I've heard of several IAM observers stating that sidelights in their modern form should not be used at all when the vehicle is moving (they are, effectively, parking lights). Having regularly passed morons driving silver/grey/black cars in the gloom with just sidelights on I'm starting to agree!

Actually, just checked the Highway Code and it seems they're a bit more generous than me as to when sidelights may be used.

They say that at sunset (when it's actually still fairly light) you must put sidelights on and half an hour later (probably when a lot of people think its time to put sidelights on) you must put your dipped headlights on.

Pretty much the only time I ever use my sidelights these days is if I don't need them to see/be seen but I want/need the dash illuminated to see the speedo better.......

Headlights are required by law to be on when street lights are on which is far from daylight. Before this side lights are more than adequate.

I have the same hatred for azzh*les that drive around thinking they are Blackpool illuminations. Also hate idiots that stop at traffic light and leave their right foot on the brake pedal, someone went to the touble of designing a hand brake!

Back to my recent point, just can't figure why the drl's dip when putting on side lights.

Some people just love their lights, makes them feel special so we probably shouldn't take that little warm feeling away from them.

Headlights are required by law to be on when street lights are on which is far from daylight. Before this side lights are more than adequate.

No, as stated above, half an hour after sunset. It is riddiculous to suggest that you should follow street lights as you can 'technically' turn off your headlights and revert to sidelights in built up areas with street lighting and a 30mph limit (although to do so these days would be risky).

As for the Blackpool illuminations, unfortunately we're all going to be forced to do this as the EU say we must all have chavvy DRLs (actually any DRLs would do but manufacturers seem to have interpreted this as a directive to be as chavtastic as they can, the Citroen DS being particularly offensive).

Edit: the brake light issue is now (don't know if it always was) in the Highway Code and is in a 'must' not paragraph so appears to have force of law - coming under dazzling others.

Edited 24 February, 201313 yr by mr_awol

No connection with the motor trade but it must be very confusing of dipped headlights, parking lights and daylight running lights are all mixed up in someones brain.

I'm no pedant but this is just plain confusing and you would get short shrift from a dealership coming out with such ramblings.

My Elegance has separate 21W DRL permanently on in daylight . Thank goodness. I never would drive about on parking lights.

I agree about being dazzled by LED brake lights, especially by larger Land Rovers.

Back to my recent point, just can't figure why the drl's dip when putting on side lights.

The LED DRL's on the vRS are quite intense and are angled towards oncoming traffics line of sight. This is to ensure that they are bright enough to be effective during the day.

Skoda are assuming that when you turn on your lights (sidelights or dipped headlights) then visibility is reduced.

If they didn't dim in this instance then you would dazzle other road users.

I got my DRL set up to always have the rear lights on as well.

Not sure what

Back to my recent point, just can't figure why the drl's dip when putting on side lights

means.

DRL are single filament and there is no reason why they should stay on anyway when just side(parking lights) are required.

DRL are single filament and there is no reason why they should stay on anyway when just side(parking lights) are required.

The DRL's on the vRS are different to those on the standard models in that they are LED and dim to perform the function of sidelights and parking lights.

Standard DRL's are 21W filament bulbs that extinguish completely when side or dipped headlights are on. The W5W bulbs in the headlight cluster (defunct on the vRS) remain in use to perform the role of sidelights and parking lights.

So, in summary, when switching lights to position I, when light conditions are fading and to ensure rear lights are illuminated, the drl's dim for fear of blinding people which is not the case in broad daylight.

It could be further summarised that, for the Vrs model that has no 'sidelights', it would be better having a switch that was simply 'OFF/ON' rather than 'OFF/ I / II'.

Great that we got to the route of the issue.

Still Bonkers!!

No, it makes perfect sense.

DRL's are too bright for night time. They are designed to compete with the sun and at night you don't need to.

It's not bonkers in any way. Driving around with DRL's at the same brightness at night as during the day would dazzle oncoming traffic.

When you move to position 1 your rear lights come on (required) and your DRL's dim - in the same way that all DRL's from all manufacturers dim as this is a legal requirement (DRL's must dim to a percentage of full brightness at night).

They still give front visibility (just as good, probably better than side-lights) but don't dazzle oncoming traffic.

Edited 1 March, 201313 yr by Stoofa

I don't like the term sidelights, I much prefer to call them parking lights. Even forgetting the fitment of DRL's, what is the point of driving around with "sidelights" on? If it is starting to get dark or vision is that restricted then do everyone a favour - yourselves included and just turn the dipped beam on straight away. It helps you see and be seen. Think of side (or parking) lights as being only of use if you are parking the car at the side of the road and need it illuminated.

Okay, maybe I'm starting to get it!

So why does Vectra tell us further up in this forum that his drls maintain full brightness when headlights are on with the auto lights option?

So why does Vectra tell us further up in this forum that his drls maintain full brightness when headlights are on with the auto lights option?

I think he meant that when his headlight switch is in 'Auto' but it isn't dark enough to activate the headlights his DRL's are at full brightness (as with everyone else's) but his rear lights are on too.

It is possible to code the car (using VCDS) so that rear lights are on at the same time as the front DRL's.

The reason for this is that some countries are set-up this way so it allows Skoda to tailor the settings for different markets / laws etc.

As Vectra is in Ireland I'm assuming that either his vRS was set-up from the factory to have the rear lights on or he has activated this setting himself.

Edited 1 March, 201313 yr by silver1011

I don't like the term sidelights, I much prefer to call them parking lights. Even forgetting the fitment of DRL's, what is the point of driving around with "sidelights" on? If it is starting to get dark or vision is that restricted then do everyone a favour - yourselves included and just turn the dipped beam on straight away. It helps you see and be seen. Think of side (or parking) lights as being only of use if you are parking the car at the side of the road and need it illuminated.

Plenty of debates on this.

Parking lights utilise the same bulbs as sidelights but operate differently as they only illuminate one side at a time and are turned on/off using the indicator stalk.

Sidelights have their own position on the headlight switch - and for good reason.

There are times where dipped headlights are overkill and sidelights just right.

The highway code even mentions driving in built-up areas at night with only sidelights on, although I think we are all agreed that these days that would be unwise and just goes to show how in need of an update the HC is!

My way of thinking is if in any doubt, night or day, just use dipped headlights.

I don't like the term sidelights, I much prefer to call them parking lights. Even forgetting the fitment of DRL's, what is the point of driving around with "sidelights" on? If it is starting to get dark or vision is that restricted then do everyone a favour - yourselves included and just turn the dipped beam on straight away. It helps you see and be seen. Think of side (or parking) lights as being only of use if you are parking the car at the side of the road and need it illuminated.

You seem to be confusing parking lights with side lights.

Sidelights are when you need TO BE SEEN but dont need lights to see.

Parking lights, as above, use the same bulb but illuminate one side (depending which way you move the indicator) so you can illuminate the car slightly when parked on the road

I'm not confused, I said that I prefer to call them parking lights. Its only my opinion, but I can't see the point (no pun intended) of sidelights for use when actually driving. Either headlights or none - mind you I am a dinosaur and necessarily agree with the EU law regarding DRL's either.

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