headlight issues (usa)

[tr7andtvr]

I have owned my 280i for two years now, and I have never had functioning headlight motors. I am finishing up a engine swap (ford v8) and have decided to get these headlights working while I am in the process. I get alternating power from the two individual plugs, I get nothing from the 3-pronged plug (I am not sure what it is suppose to do). Also my dim lights are out for some reason, always have been. The motors have been taken out and bench tested to a ground and a positive and spin well.

Any suggestions?

[Roger McLittriss]

I'm sure there's a circuit diagram for the lights somewhere aboard the internet.

[jeff m]

E-mail me thru profile I'll send you the diags.

Five relays for the headlights

To test a relay circuit, get an old relay and short out the contact terminals. Plug it in, it then acts as an operated relay.

I would check grounds first by adding an extra ground with a long wire with a croc clip.

[Roger McLittriss]

jeff m said:

To test a relay circuit, get an old relay and short out the contact terminals. Plug it in, it then acts as an operated relay.

Fine in theory but don't try this on the wedge headlamps because the lights will keep cycling up and down. Under normal circumstances the relays are only powered for as long as it takes to get the lights up or down then the switches in the motors turn the relays off.

[tr7andtvr]

I am not having any troubles with the headlight motors runnung they will run all day. They just don't stop. They are getting power they just keep running up and down.

[jeff m]

Roger McLittriss said:

jeff m said:

To test a relay circuit, get an old relay and short out the contact terminals. Plug it in, it then acts as an operated relay.

Fine in theory but don't try this on the wedge headlamps because the lights will keep cycling up and down. Under normal circumstances the relays are only powered for as long as it takes to get the lights up or down then the switches in the motors turn the relays off.

Roger you are correct, I should have added that it should be used as a tester, plug in, pull out. Same duration contact as a test lamp or meter probe.

But I think Andy's prob may be just mech adj. (now)

Edited by jeff m on Wednesday 29th October 14:30

[Boosted LS1]

tr7andtvr said:

I am not having any troubles with the headlight motors runnung they will run all day. They just don't stop. They are getting power they just keep running up and down.

Search for the TR Register site in the UK. There's a lot of information on there.

See here:

http://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index.php?show...

Edited by Boosted LS1 on Wednesday 29th October 18:56