Headlamp not popping up

[anonymous-user]

A few weeks into ownership (450 SEAC), I'm 'excited' to have encountered my first problem:



Can anyone point me to a simple fix? (I don't get my copy of the Wedges Bible until Christmas Day!)

[colin mee]

I had this a few months ago.it turned out to be a low battery try some wd40 on the pins.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi and welcome to the mad world of Wedges....I don't think anyone has ever come on here and has actually been excited about having a problem with their TVR...

First check the wiring from the O/S pod as i think they feed the N/S, Sometimes wiggling it gently will reveal a bad connection...Check the connectors and spray with some electrical lube to protect them..If the pod is stuck whatever you do DO NOT try prising it up or even worst banging something from under the pod...You should be able to manually wind them up, At least i think you can on a SEAC?....

Cheers...Ziga

[RCK974X]

Yeah, wiring and connectors, could be relay or its base, try reseating the relays, and check fuses.
Is fuse/relay box behind glove box on the SEAC ? Don't know, but someone here will.
It's possible the diode has failed, but far more likely a dodgy connection somewhere.

After that check your earth points as they can corrode too.

A Multimeter is your friend for these kinds of issues !!

[JamesMK]

When I had this problem last autumn it was the motor mounting bracket that had rusted away. Thanks to a kind PHer who made me a new one.

[TVRTRICEY]

If it were me, I would whip out the headlight and get a lot of WD40 on the mechanism. Mine got went solid, and the pod was coming up slowly, which in turn overheated the motor and nearly ruined it. I removed both lights, and the pods and all mechanism, drenched in oil and WD40 and now both pods come up at the same time! hahaha I must say that I don't have a SEAC but a series 1 350I so there will probably be some differences. Its a mornings work, but well worth it considering the cost of a new motor if it goes wrong. In terms of your actual problem here, you might find if the mechanism is seized this could cure it. Did the headlights come up at the same time?

Forgive me if the SEAC is completely different to a series 1!

Rob

[mrzigazaga]

And to add what has been said above regular maintenance of the pods mechanisms is advisable...Thing is they are the least used part on a Wedge and are subject to weather and road scagg..

I operate mine a few times a month and twice in a month i will remove the pods..Check and clean all connections and use a silicone grease on the linkages to keep the moisture out...WD40 or D-block will un-seize the links but you want to protect the metal afterwards...


I still need to sort out the O/S bump stop as its missing and make the headlight pop up more than it should...I used to think the N/S wasn't coming up far enough...
And since fitting LED in the sidelights i would like to stop the pods lifting on the sidelight position as the headlamps are of no use at this point...

[wooly350i]

I'd just like to add that it's a very bad idea to shove your arm /hand up into the pod housing without prior disconnection of battery as if the thing springs into life whilst you are fiddling you might be fu(£rd, John.

[RCK974X]

wooly350i said:

I'd just like to add that it's a very bad idea to shove your arm /hand up into the pod housing without prior disconnection of battery as if the thing springs into life whilst you are fiddling you might be fu(£rd, John.

Second that - You would be amazed how much torque a humble wiper motor develops when you've got your arm shoved up a small gap....
your arm is probably OK, but not your fingers. P-A-I-N-F-U-L !

[Jack Valiant]

First test should be:

1. Lift headlights - disconnect battery while they are in the up position

2. Wind up the missing headlight by hand from underneath

3. Reconnect battery

Do both lights drop? - Is so the motors are ok

Let us know the result for step 2!

Chris

[mrzigazaga]

Don't worry mate you are not alone....Found these on the Net...








Any on the last two are Poppy..

At least your SEAC is not doing this....
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[adam quantrill]

If it isn't an easy fix (connections or using it a few times to free it up) the best fix I have heard of is to take the motor off and dump it submersed in a bucket of oil for a few weeks.

While you are under there get some zinc paint and wire brush and paint the motor mounting bracket, as it will be quietly rusting away.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks all - new motor on order...

[mrzigazaga]

If its not an exchange item can you please keep the old motor...Thanks...Ziga

[Waynester]

thesmithsUK said:

Thanks all - new motor on order...

Was the motor dead then Geoff? As Zig said, unless you use your Wedge daily & at night they are one of the most under used items on the car (along with the stereo ). I exercise my lights every time I come back from a drive out and park up in the garage.

[RCK974X]

thesmithsUK said:

Thanks all - new motor on order...

Yeah, as Zig says, even if *YOU* don't want it, someone here will want even a dead motor for spares/repair.

They are only an adapted wiper motor after all, so chances are it could be repaired by someone here.....

Thanks for doing that !!

All of my 'winking' problems were in the wiring, not in the motors, and have had one of the stop brackets falling to bits, but the main motor mounts are still in good nick (1982 2.8).

Edited by RCK974X on Wednesday 30th December 20:28

[anonymous-user]

Will do. New one should be arriving Wednesday so will keep you posted.
Happy New Year!

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Mate...Just out of interest and for future reference for others..As i understand it you don't have an access hole for manually winding the pods up like the 280/350i due to the shape of the SEAC's nosecone...However is it possible to get say a 12PT long reach socket in there and wind it up?...Obviously you don't want to have to prise up the pod and risk damaging the surrounding areas which i have seen on some Wedges...Or even worst bang something up there to force it up...Just wondering how you get to the pod motor?...Cheers...Ziga

[mrzigazaga]

Just remember and found this...This is why my N/S headlamp would not pop up, I disturbed this wire while replacing the indicators, I don't generally pull wires and I'm always careful but somehow the wire on the rear of the fuse box had come out...I fitted a new small spade terminal...Normal service resumed....Cheers..Ziga