Renault Clio 2001 - Headlights

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Fri 20 Jan 2006 19:14
Renault Clio 2001 - Headlights - Christopher
I have a Renault 2001 Clio Dynamique 1.5 DCi. Very economical car with a decent engine. The only frustrating aspect of the car is the continuing problems with the headlights. The Renault dealer where it it was purchased from fixed the problem on the Offside but the nearside is now causing problems.

Tonight the nearside failed again. I purchased a new bulb and had to get the dealer to fit it as I just could not get my hands in the space given to replace it. The dealer said the bumer had to be removed etc and it cost me £97 labour etc + £11 for bulb, Not good.

Am now wanting to get to the bottom of the problem. Does anyone have a similar problem? Has anyone had problems with the dealers as well.
I am not going to buy another Renault due to this problem.

Any views would be appreciated.

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Fri 20 Jan 2006 19:21
Renault Clio 2001 - Headlights - bell boy
are they blowing because the engine is vibrating too much at tickover and it needs raising slightly?
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Fri 20 Jan 2006 19:30
Renault Clio 2001 - Headlights - Christopher
Many thanks for your views.

I will look in to it and keep you updated.
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Fri 20 Jan 2006 23:02
Renault Clio 2001 - Headlights - 659FBE
Measure the charging voltage at the battery at fast tickover with minimal electrical load (use a good digital meter). This should not exceed 14.2V at an ambient temperature of about 10 deg C. Unfortunaterly, the Valeo alternators fitted to many French vehicles have the regulator set to too high a voltage, leading to short lamp life.

There is no easy fix - on the small French car I look after, I simply replace the bulbs as required. If the access to the headlamp is particularly hopeless on your vehicle, you could consider fitting a pattern replacement regulator if the voltage is too high; they're not expensive and are quite easy to fit.

659.
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Fri 20 Jan 2006 23:35
Renault Clio 2001 - Headlights - Aprilia
Most Jap alternator (Hitachi, ND, Mitsubishi) are set at 14.5V and bulbs don't blow (wife's Nissan hasn't had a single one go in over 7 years). I would think it would have to be at least a volt or two over 14V to do any harm to the bulbs - they are not that sensitive. I reckon its vibration - could be the engine or could be that the headlight mounting is not very rigid.
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Fri 20 Jan 2006 23:43
Renault Clio 2001 - Headlights - 659FBE
Headlamp bulbs are rated at 13.75V at the lamp terminals (Philips lighting catalogue). The setting of 14.2V at the battery allows for voltage drops in the switching and cabling.

The relationship between lamp voltage and life is very non-linear; something like a 10% overvoltage will halve the life.

659.
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