Headlight issue

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bankz5152

Well-Known Member
Posts
9,324
Location
South London/North Kent
Had an odd issue this morning on a pitch black country lane. Suddenly lost headlights, dipped/high + my aux bumper lights (wired into the high beam stalk)

Played around the the fuses - all fine.

Then high beam came back randomly but no dipped beam. Then dipped beam came back again?

Very strange.

Switch is a new Lucas unit.
Bulbs are fine
Fuse fine
There isntnal a relay afaik

Any ideas?
 
So apparently there is a common earth for the headlights on the bulkhead, that true?

If not where else would a common earth be for the lights, or could it be the fuse holder wiring is loose?
 
Mine had an earth on each side bolted to the inner galv arches.
This is in the loom for both sides.
Think this then goes back towards the bulkhead main earth by the brake pedal.

Unsure if the same as yours
 
QUOTE="Hicap phill, post: 4446960, member: 142655"]Mine had an earth on each side bolted to the inner galv arches.
This is in the loom for both sides.
Think this then goes back towards the bulkhead main earth by the brake pedal.

Unsure if the same as yours[/QUOTE]

I know of the wing earths but didnt think it would be that as both lights went out at the same time. Highly unlikely to both fail the same second

I assume that bulk head earth is on the engine side?
 
Main earth is by the main loom plugs. Mine then bolts to footwell. Some go to the brake/clutch pedal.

Have you got an earth to the bulkhead from chassis/engine?
 
I believe mine sits just behind the header tank. I had a quick look, looks alright.

Either way ive bought some 18mm cable to run that earth direct to the battery, I'll add another main earth for the battery for good measure.

Lights where fine the way home...
 
So this morning started the landy. No headlights even though I had lights when I parked up last night.

Threw the switch back n forth, lights are back... Fine all the way to work. Bit of a worry.

Just wondering if the Boonslang loom will fit a TD5? Am I right in thinking it bypasses the LR loom? For -£30 could slove my issue.
 
It uses the switch wires in the loom to activate the boomslang relays.
Power & earths are separate.
Must be same on TD5? Not upto date on posh electronics ;)

Can you touch (with hand)your head light switch cables behind the ignition cowl to see how hot they are?
 
It uses the switch wires in the loom to activate the boomslang relays.
Power & earths are separate.
Must be same on TD5? Not upto date on posh electronics ;)

Can you touch (with hand)your head light switch cables behind the ignition cowl to see how hot they are?

Gotcha

New live & earth cant be a bad thing, plus takes the pressure off the switch.
 
Switch didnt seem overly warm but warm enough.

Ordered the boomslang cant complain for £30, yes I could probably do it myself but I hate wiring up relays! So this is a headache saved.

On top of that I'm going to extend the bulkhead earth direct to the battery with some 16mm cable as well as a new battery to chassis earth. Should hopefully solve the issue.
 
Only other problem could be the ceramic connector onto the back of the lights. Early bowls have to be cut .
Just conect on 1 side of the switch wires/loom.

Good luck
 
Only other problem could be the ceramic connector onto the back of the lights. Early bowls have to be cut .
Just conect on 1 side of the switch wires/loom.

Good luck

Do they? Do early models not have the Lucas bullet connectors behind the headlight so you can remove the bulb holder from loom and take it out of the bowl?
 
This happened to me the night before the MOT...lights fine, next day not lights of any kind. Turned out to be the main beam stalk. The previous owner had wired the spots to operate off the main beam and this just balloxed the unit. Can be easily checked by bridging the wire with the unit disconnected, new stalk fitted and spots removed for now.
 
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