MOT fail on

swar110 · Dec 20, 2013

Headlamps adversely affected by the operation of another lamp.

as it says on the MOT refusal certificate.

All the electrics work. but when the headlamps are on and the hazards engaged they intermittently either switch on/off or dim/flicker.

with the engine running the main lights remain on but flicker slightly when hazards are on.

So far I have checked all the main earths (chassis, engine, gearbox front light recesses in teh wings & n/s rear light housing) - cleaning and reconnecting.
i have also removed and reattached all the lights and checking all the connections , esp the earth to body connections

200 tdi defender 110 c1991

running out of ideas as i have done the obvious and the problem is still occurring.

any other things I can check - thanks

dogsbody · Dec 20, 2013

swar110 said:
Headlamps adversely affected by the operation of another lamp.

as it says on the MOT refusal certificate.

All the electrics work. but when the headlamps are on and the hazards engaged they intermittently either switch on/off or dim/flicker.

with the engine running the main lights remain on but flicker slightly when hazards are on.

So far I have checked all the main earths (chassis, engine, gearbox front light recesses in teh wings & n/s rear light housing) - cleaning and reconnecting.
i have also removed and reattached all the lights and checking all the connections , esp the earth to body connections

200 tdi defender 110 c1991

running out of ideas as i have done the obvious and the problem is still occurring.

any other things I can check - thanks

Try removing each of the affected bulbs one at a time. If the fault disappears with a bulb out then your problem is with that light. If needs be add an extra earth to that light.

mlucas110 · Dec 20, 2013

i agree bulbs can cause the strangest problems.

i had a ford transit and with a o/s REAR fog light not getting any power but was making the headlights re-aim everytime you turned it on and blowing the fuse.

1st i thought the switch console as its all together, then the headlight, cleaned all rear cluster and checked it and still no power! i was about to explode, but then i tried changing the n/s fog light bulb for another to find it was just that! god knows how but sometimes its the simple things

swar110 · Dec 20, 2013

sounds like a plan

I will start going through the lights tomorrow - this weather is not the best - howling a gale up here atm.

I will post my findings tomorrow

thanks for replying dogsbody and the excellent suggestion.

I agree mlucass110 - I was about to burst today! - landy is covered in mud - wind howling & now most of the mud is on me after spending half my time under it with no result after it.

Thanks again both for replying - looking forward to sorting it out

swar110 · Dec 21, 2013

Went around the lights today - Hazards on and the main headlamps in the on position, hte main lights turn on and off every 2 blinks of the hazards. I removed the bulbs one at a time with no change until I got to the rear offside indicator light. Removing that indicator bulb stopped the problem - I tried cleaning the earth tag in the light but its in a bit of a state and most likely not earthing properly. Fiddling with it resolves the problem temporarily so new indicator light I guess should sort it out.

Does this sound like its right?

chezvegas · Dec 21, 2013

Sounds right to me,

mlucas110 · Dec 21, 2013

if it stops the problem it must be right

swar110 · Dec 22, 2013

Ive never had reason to touch vehicle electrics before so thanks for the advice given.

lee3022 · Dec 22, 2013

Had similar with my 200tdi, my wipers kept coming on with lights, defo an earth problem but took some finding.
The earths on the inner wings are useless and moved mine to the bulkhead, job done

swar110 · Dec 22, 2013

lee3022 said:
Had similar with my 200tdi, my wipers kept coming on with lights, defo an earth problem but took some finding.
The earths on the inner wings are useless and moved mine to the bulkhead, job done

Not a bad idea - the accessibility of some of the earths can be a pita esp those on the inner wing - getting a spanner on the back of those was a b**** :doh:

lee3022 · Dec 23, 2013

swar110 said:
Not a bad idea - the accessibility of some of the earths can be a pita esp those on the inner wing - getting a spanner on the back of those was a b**** :

Where the wing meets the chassis also gets dirt or corrosion build up which renders the earths on the inner wing useless anyway, not the best place for them and like you say a b@&£&@d to get to

MOT fail on

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