Mk1, 1999 Headlights Query

[Sandy - West Cornwall]

My new, to me, 1999 Mk1 Rav4 has the double bulb/reflectors configeration for each headlamp unit.

I'm use to to a double filiment single bulb so that when on dipped one element is 'on' and main beam the other eliment is 'on', but on the 1999 car when going to main beam both dipped and main beam bulbs are on - Is this correct ?

The other problem arising from this is that the handbook states the dipped beam is 56w and main beam 51w, thus with the headlamps set to main beam I have this bright pool of light just in front of the car (dipped bulb output) plus a lower brightness for the distance - Is this correct too ?

For me this seems strange illumination.

Yes I know the cars old etc., however as it only had 75k miles on the clock and the car's in very good order, and the price was right, I'm happy to have another Rav4 Mk1 - The previous 1995 Rav4 I had was moved on at 300k miles.

[gjnorthall]

On a H4 bulb - one filament is main and the other is dipped beam. The only time that both filaments should illuminate together on a Rav 4.1 is when the headlamp flasher is operated with the headlights on dipped beam. Sounds like the headlamp stalk is faulty or someone has carried out a strange wiring modification. The stalk action is easily checked.