LH Indicator and Headlights stopped working?

They were fine yesterday and today I have no headlights or left hand indicator, is there any obvious reason why this might happen or is it jus dodgy old wires

Jimmiboy said:

They were fine yesterday and today I have no headlights or left hand indicator, is there any obvious reason why this might happen or is it jus dodgy old wires

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Have you a multi meter to check voltage at the lights?
Check wires for voltage
Check earths
Does the side lights work?

Recon the dry weather causes connections that worked with a bit of damp to quit. Series 3 with fuse box under steering wheel, known trouble spot.

Hicap phill said:

Have you a multi meter to check voltage at the lights?
Check wires for voltage
Check earths
Does the side lights work?

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Not sure if it’s my multimeter but the voltage is all over the place, my left side light works, my right indicator works and both tail lights work??? How do I check earths.?

tottot said:

Recon the dry weather causes connections that worked with a bit of damp to quit. Series 3 with fuse box under steering wheel, known trouble spot.

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That’s where my fuse box is

Have a look at the bullet connectors behind the front panel/grill.
I for one, amongst many others re routed this junction along the top of the front panel between the bonnet catch and the front panel lip. Just to make access easier. They get the full blast of weather and are very susceptible to corrosion.

Best way to check the earth cable, put headlights on them use multimeter on the voltage setting to measure each end of the cable. Also measure each end of the negative battery cable.
Start on the 12v setting them work down until you get a meaningful result in the display.
Not sure if there's a specified tolerance but I'd be going for 0.25v or less.. as a first guess

I’ve created a temporary earth from the battery and still no luck. I’m not fussed about the side light but the LH indicator is an issue

Bobsticle said:

Have a look at the bullet connectors behind the front panel/grill.
I for one, amongst many others re routed this junction along the top of the front panel between the bonnet catch and the front panel lip. Just to make access easier. They get the full blast of weather and are very susceptible to corrosion.

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Jimmiboy said:

I’ve created a temporary earth from the battery and still no luck. I’m not fussed about the side light but the LH indicator is an issue

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So the rear is working?

Jimmiboy said:

I’ve created a temporary earth from the battery and still no luck. I’m not fussed about the side light but the LH indicator is an issue

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Lives run down the off side engine bay in the loom to the off side front lights. They then T off and run behind the grill in a smaller loom. Check the bullet connectors behind the grill in this smaller loom.
If live power is reaching the off side it can only be between them and the near side. About three feet of cable.
It’s not much to check.

Hicap phill said:

So the rear is working?

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No, front and rear not working.

I’ve found the issue! This little spring wire isn’t making contact with the domed connector. If I press it with my finger the indicator works. Other than trying to bend this wire and risk breaking it is there another way round?

A good clean with degreaser wouldn’t hurt as a start I’d be tempted to use some needle nose pliers to tweak it up a bit