Both dipped headlights and sidelights stopped working

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My Name: SlamDunck82

Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2023 1:18 pm
Model: C3 2009-2013, New shape (A51)
Year: 2010 (60)
Engine Size: 1.4
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 80000
Trim Level: VTR+
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
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Hello I wonder if a C3 expert can help me, is this a common problem? I have a 2010 C3.
The dipped headlights and sidelights all stopped working.

The bulbs have been replaced and still no luck. The two fuses for the dipped headlights also were replaced and still no luck. The main beams and front fog lights still work. Strangely, one of the sidelights actually comes on when the front fogs are turned on.

I also did the 'BSI reset" procedure but that didn't solve it.

Possibly related, a couple of weeks earlier I noticed one of the front fog lights was on when they weren't switched on. Also a service light came on intermittently. (It's not due a service).

Seems like an electrical fault somewhere. Before I take it to a garage, any other ideas?
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My Name: C3driver52

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Posts: 2012
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:40 pm
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2003 (03)
Engine Size: 1.4 i
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 79984
Trim Level: VTR+
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
Engine name: TU3 (75 PS)
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SlamDunck82 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 1:37 pm Hello I wonder if a C3 expert can help me, is this a common problem? I have a 2010 C3.
The dipped headlights and sidelights all stopped working.

The bulbs have been replaced and still no luck. The two fuses for the dipped headlights also were replaced and still no luck. The main beams and front fog lights still work. Strangely, one of the sidelights actually comes on when the front fogs are turned on.

I also did the 'BSI reset" procedure but that didn't solve it.

Possibly related, a couple of weeks earlier I noticed one of the front fog lights was on when they weren't switched on. Also a service light came on intermittently. (It's not due a service).

Seems like an electrical fault somewhere. Before I take it to a garage, any other ideas?
Hi

A BSI reset won't fix it.

The lighting at the front of the car is controlled by the BSM module. That's the fuse box under the bonnet that you changed the fuses in.

Were the fuses you removed blown?

You can easily inspect the wire across the fuse to see if it's broken.

If the fuses you took out are ok, then you could well be looking at a faulty (often water damaged) BSM module. They don't need coding to replace and are available on eBay quite often, just match your with the ones listed to find a replacement. It can be cheaper to swap out a BSM than go through all the diagnosis only to find its the BSM. Then look at the old one to see if it was water damaged and fix that water ingress too.
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My Name: SlamDunck82

Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2023 1:18 pm
Model: C3 2009-2013, New shape (A51)
Year: 2010 (60)
Engine Size: 1.4
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 80000
Trim Level: VTR+
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
Has thanked: 1 time

Post

Thanks C3driver52 for the fast reply. That's been a great help. It does seem the original fuses hadn't blown. So I'm going to have a hunt on ebay for a BSM module. By the way, I've also seen 'BCM' modules. Is that the same thing?

I also noticed the rubber seal around the BSM lid was wet, so you could be right about the water ingress.

Thanks again.
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User avatar
My Name: C3driver52

Guru
Posts: 2012
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:40 pm
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2003 (03)
Engine Size: 1.4 i
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 79984
Trim Level: VTR+
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
Engine name: TU3 (75 PS)
Has thanked: 146 times
Been thanked: 78 times

Post

Hi

BCM is the body control module, it does the same job as the BSM.

BSM is the lettering on the label attached to the black box with fuses under the bonnet.

Matching by part number or at least by how they look, with the same colour connectors in the same place etc can help. Picking one from a donor with a similar year to your will also help get a good match as they changed over the years.
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