Dodgy headlights

Post by **D4V2K1** » 18 Apr 2006 11:18 pm

Tonight i got in the car to go home (just as it was getting dark) and my headlights wouldn't come on, just the sidelights. I had this problem a few weeks ago and replaced the relay and now its back.

The sidelights work fine, as does the main beam if i hold the stalk back. I had to drive home with just sidelights and foglights on for 95 miles!

I'm just wondering if it could be the actual switch thats dodgy? I remember a few weeks back before the problems started, when i turned the lights on, there was a short buzzing noise that i've not heard since. The lights have worked normally since i changed the relay, so i'm guessing on the switch or a loose connection somewhere.

Has anyone experienced this too?

Cheers

Dave

Post by **990** » 19 Apr 2006 12:02 am

I have - had the buzzing for a while in my old car - vanished - came back then big flash and burning from dash and good bye switch

Turned out the wires came loose and shorted out - personally I would pull the switch and check wires for security and any nicks/stripped patches (thats what caught me out)

hope you work it out mate

John

Post by **D4V2K1** » 19 Apr 2006 12:13 am

Blimey

Good call mate, i'll hopefully get chance to get a good look behind the switch tomorrow. Don't fancy it burning up like you said.

Thanks very much.

Post by **990** » 19 Apr 2006 12:16 am

D4V2K1 wrote:Blimey

Good call mate, i'll hopefully get chance to get a good look behind the switch tomorrow. Don't fancy it burning up like you said.

Thanks very much.

If it's right - my pleasure - as you can imagine it scared the hell out of me - thought the car was going up at the time

Post by **D4V2K1** » 19 Apr 2006 12:22 am

Thats the last thing i need to happen. Especially as the 360 is going to be my only car after the weekend!

Post by **petefarrell360** » 19 Apr 2006 05:33 pm

I'm trying to remember the different headlight problems I've seen and what caused them. I think the relay once went on one of ours for the main beam, but that didn't affect the headlights going down to sidelights. I did have a problem where I think my lights suddenly dipped to sidelights one night after going over a bump, and I think by holding the stalk back my main beam still worked. I messed about with the switch, nothing, so Iknew where the group of relays etc is on the back side of the fuse box through the bulkhead under the drivers side of the dash, so gave that a gentle persuasive kick through the cover panel, and it rectified the problem to get me home. On closer inspection one of them had come loose and had a bad connection too, but I couldn't tell you which one as I've forgotten. Cleaned and fitted properly it never caused any more problems. Worth a look anyway, pull them all out one at a time and clean them up.

Pete

Post by **D4V2K1** » 20 Apr 2006 06:53 pm

Just been out this afternoon and checked the wires to the switch, the fusebox, all the wires to the lights and most of the wires under the instrument panel. It still doesn't work.

I noticed when i put the switch from headlights to sidelights there is a noticeable click, but not when i go from side to headlights. I can't say i've noticed this before so maybe the actual switch could be broken.

I couldnt see any relays near the bulkhead inside tho, maybe i'll have to have a better look for them.

In the meanwhile, has anyone got a spare switch they'd be willing to sell me please?

Post by **990** » 20 Apr 2006 08:08 pm

D4V2K1 wrote:Just been out this afternoon and checked the wires to the switch, the fusebox, all the wires to the lights and most of the wires under the instrument panel. It still doesn't work.

I noticed when i put the switch from headlights to sidelights there is a noticeable click, but not when i go from side to headlights. I can't say i've noticed this before so maybe the actual switch could be broken.

I couldnt see any relays near the bulkhead inside tho, maybe i'll have to have a better look for them.

In the meanwhile, has anyone got a spare switch they'd be willing to sell me please?

Ah yes I forgot the 'clicking noise' - so you reckon thats it then?

Post by **D4V2K1** » 20 Apr 2006 08:41 pm

I got them working!

In a moment of madness, i came in and decided to take out my temp gauge and econometer from my spare instrument cluster. When they were out and suprised at how easy it was, i went to the car to fit them into the cluster there.

While it was all out i got my torch and found the multi-plug connectors that appear to go to the back of the fusebox. What i found was that just above these connectors, is a foam that sits between the dash and the bulkhead. This foam was soaked through with what must be rain water. I undid the plugs and dried them and where they go, and hey presto - i got headlights again.

My only problem now is finding where the water is leaking through. I suspect this to be the cause of my starting troubles a few weeks back also, as it had been raining a lot for a couple of days with the car sat not being used.

As it was getting dark, i only had a quick look. But i suspect maybe the water is getting through the bottom of the windscreen, or perhaps near the fusebox.

In the meantime tho, i am very happy, as i seem to have fixed my lights (until it rains again) and also now have a full set of 6 gauges working (except the econometer as i need a tapping)

Post by **classicswede** » 20 Apr 2006 09:30 pm

I've has a few headlight problems with 300's. Vickys car has had problems popping relays (under dash) resulting in only the side lights working. I did a road side repair by bridging it with a peice of wire to carry on driving then replaced it asap.

The other one with with our old (would not blow up) 360. This one was intemitant headlight working that we traced back to a loose screw on the stalk where is secures to the steering colum.

Post by **990** » 20 Apr 2006 11:54 pm

D4V2K1 wrote:I got them working!

In a moment of madness, i came in and decided to take out my temp gauge and econometer from my spare instrument cluster. When they were out and suprised at how easy it was, i went to the car to fit them into the cluster there.

While it was all out i got my torch and found the multi-plug connectors that appear to go to the back of the fusebox. What i found was that just above these connectors, is a foam that sits between the dash and the bulkhead. This foam was soaked through with what must be rain water. I undid the plugs and dried them and where they go, and hey presto - i got headlights again.

My only problem now is finding where the water is leaking through. I suspect this to be the cause of my starting troubles a few weeks back also, as it had been raining a lot for a couple of days with the car sat not being used.

As it was getting dark, i only had a quick look. But i suspect maybe the water is getting through the bottom of the windscreen, or perhaps near the fusebox.

In the meantime tho, i am very happy, as i seem to have fixed my lights (until it rains again) and also now have a full set of 6 gauges working (except the econometer as i need a tapping)

Yayyyyy Bonus - Nice one