Headlights Manual Operation.

An intermittent problem with headlights.

If I let them auto activate then all is well but sometimes; in rain; I want lights before it gets dark so I use the switch.

From O.

Rotate switch one click sidelights & dashboard illuminate. OK.

Second click should bring on headlights & headlight symbol on display.

Sometimes headlights come on sometimes they don't. Have even had them go out whilst driving & then come back on later.

I think it must be a dodgy relay but does anyone know which relay & where it is located so I can fit a new one.

Help appreciated.

If the lights work fine on automatic but not from the switch then I would suspect the switch first.
If they were intermittent in auto mode too, I would suspect the ignition switch.
Anyway, with regard to the relays, they are not covered in the manual, but I believe it could be in the fuse box, inside the glove compartment.

Let us know how you get on as someone else is sure to have the same problem in the future. Good luck.

Had a similar problem not long after I bought the Wind & the light switch/stalk was replaced under warranty.

About a year later similar problem but as intermittent could not be found so no action & all was well until recently.

So far I've taken off the steering cowl disconnected the plug from the light switch & applied contact cleaner to no avail.

I've found many relays as you described tucked away up & left of the fuse board & considered removing each in turn & cleaning contacts or possibly; by trial & error; tracking down which one affects the dip beam & replacing it. Only problem weather awful so can't work on drive & may have to buy a cranked relay removal tool to get at them.

Thus will have to live with it for a few days; at least the auto lights work OK; until weather is more clement.

Will advise progress in due course

Had a fiddle this morning as although it was freezing out there  it wasn't raining.

Very much trial & error here, but worked on the principal that I couldn't do any harm.

Initially manually switched dip beam & dip beam light on dashboard not working.

If manually switch on just sidelights the sidelights & the dashboard lighting comes on but front &  rear fog lights not working.

All OK on auto.

Jiggled all fuses & relays in case there was a dodgy connection somewhere.

Then removed dip beam fuse; cleaned its contacts on fuse board; replaced with a new fuse.

It worked! Why I don't know.

Removed fuse again. Switched on; no dipped beam; BUT dip beam light on dashboard lit.

Replaced fuse. All OK.

No idea whether it will last or exactly why it should now work after my fiddling about.

That said I still think you are right re the intermittent problem being in switch.

Keeping fingers crossed.

Fingers crossed did no good.
They worked for a couple of days & then just went out as I was driving along in mist.
Took off switch & cleaned connector contacts again. Also sprayed contact cleaner up every available orifice in the switch unit. Currently working but operation of side/dip knob feels a bit rough.
Renault want about £140 & as this unit has; according to the parts bloke at Renault; a poor reputation elsewhere; presumably in the Twingo; I'm not taking any chances with offerings from web selling sites.
Must have a chat with daughters partner who is in the trade to see if he can get me a deal.

We have Family in the trade. Hopefully Wind family....

My right hand stalk went wonky a while back, I can’t remember exactly what it was doing wrong but it was something similarly intermittent and I seem to remember that was about £140 to replace at the dealer, fortunately done within the 3 year warranty. No problems since so hopefully not a common problem but one to be aware of. 

Hope you can get it sorted soon.

Recently replaced switch as indicators were not self cancelling - I could have lived with it but just found it anoying price for part £124.68 and £40 for my mechanic to fit it.

At present still working after my latest escapade with contact cleaner into all orifices.

Light twist switch is now smooth again.

Currently driving around minus the cowl as I s**ds law determines that as soon as I replace it they will stop working!

At the end of the day I see it as a challenge to try to repair the problem but if it fails again I'll just buy & fit a new one.

It's a simple; if fiddly; job to replace it.

Based on Bunyips costs the £140 I will spend on a pukka Renault switch will balance out by the saving of self fitting.

IT FAILED!!!

Looking on a Twingo site similar problem has been discussed at length to little avail so given that this part has a reputation for unreliability I decided to avoid e-bay (there are other buying sites!!) & get one with a 1yr Renault warranty.

£137 lighter job done.

Job not done!!

Today both manual & auto activation of dip beam failed on a shopping trip to Bluewater.

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

Later they both started working again.

I've been doing some research & it seems that the dip beams are covered by 4 fuses (Nos: 13, 25, 34, & 35) & two relays 299-2 A&B with involvement of a UCH.

Next step is probably to check connections & function of these relays & fuses. At least I can try that myself.

If that fails I'm going to be at the mercy of my Main Dealer for a diagnostic check on this UCH.

What you may ask is the UCH. It's the Unit Cebtral Habitacle which is basically a mini computer that accepts messages from switches, sensors, etc & then sends out instructions to relays etc.

Another Renault chat room mentioned a problem with one of these causing havoc with lights etc & a quote for nearly £900 to fit a new one & programme it.

Why oh why are things so complicated?

Has anyone any experience of such things?

My switch was a genuine Renault part - hope you manage to isolate your issue there pitstop good luck

@Pittstop do you know anyone with an OBD-II scanner? If you were near me, Id say we could get it on the scanner and see if there are error codes registered in the computer.

You might be better off approaching an auto-electrician to see if they can identify anything.

Believe it or not I own a mini OBD-2 scanner which I used on the TF's & the Alfa Spider.
Somehow got it into my head that this only scanned the main ECU; not things like the lighting UCH; but I'll give it a whirl & see what comes up.
Thanks for the tip.

Well, nothing came up on my scanner.

Pulled the 4 fuses related to dipped beam. Cleaned & replaced.

All working but still concerned re a failure after dark

Dealer's central booking team quoted £120 for a diagnostic test but after directly e-mailing my contact at the dealer I deal with they said they could do the tests I need for £55 so I went for it.

They did a a diagnostic & a "Clip Test" on the lighting UCH. No problems found.

Advised that by pulling the fuses; even with ignition off; I had probably unwittingly reset the UCH myself!!

Let's just hope that is the case as I am now approx £200 lighter following replacing stalk (at least I've kept the old one) & the diagnostic test.

Worse still. Whilst they did the diagnostic they did a free "Helath Check" & advised that my front lower ball joint gaiters are splitting which could be an MoT failure as the split will allow crud into the joint & cause wear.  As these are an integral part of the lower arms it is impossible to change just the gaiter so two new arms are needed (unless anyone knows better?). Quote for that job £525.

No problem I thought I'll get some off the net & do it myself as I've changed such items before on other cars.
Checked Dialogys for the process. 11 pages of it! It seems just about everything has to be taken apart to get at the ball joint nut. A bit like doing the cam belt.

I'M NOT HAPPY AT PRESENT!

Well I'm now £525 poorer & have two new front wishbones.

What is scary is that the car feels noticeably better re steering wander etc so it looks like these ball joints are definitely a weakness having got to this situation after less than 27000 mls.

I did try an approach to Renault Customer Service. I got the expected no go due to age of car but at least an admission that I had a point.

TOO RIGHJT I HAD!!!!!!!

I would try and push Renault again. It is a known fault. As you were not the first owner you would not of be aware of the issue. Not all Winds had the issue but the early ones did. Mine were replaced under warranty. Worth a try.... even if it is just a contribution.

Just a thought should this line of discussion; starting with my post of 17th Feb; be transferred to a re named new thread as I have rather got off the original topic. Can that be done?

I did push Renault quite hard even saying I felt it to be a safety issue which should have justified a recall.

I have seen mention of a wishbone related "recall" on a Twingo site but unfortunately can find no evidence on the Gov recall website for Twingo or Wind wishbone problems.

Has anyone out there got any suitable evidence of a recall or of Renault acting to assist an owner outside the warranty period?