Yet Another Headlight Problem...

[jonknight]

I''ve just bought my first TVR, a 1982 Tasmin 280i, and am having great fun with it (and I''m in love with the noise it makes!) However, ever since I''ve fitted a new stereo to it, the headlights haven''t been working properly. With the light switch in "side-light" position, the side lights work fine. However, when you switch to "Headlight", the headlight pods pop up, with the bulbds on full beam, and them go out, as soon as they''re fully out of the bonnet. The pods just stay there with no light, until you switch the light switch back to side lights and then they go back into the bonnet. Also, when I put the headlights on full beam, after a few seconds smoke starts pouring out of the right hand grill on the bonnet. I''ve lifted this up, and found that one of the wires connecting to the relay is shorting out, and the plastic coating is causing the smoke. I''m pretty sure that this is unrelated to me having fitted the stereo, as I was very careful reconnecting the light switch on the centre console, but I could be wrong. What should I do? Help!!

[jonknight]

Thanks very much for the replies! I've had a good poke around, and it appears that the problems are being caused by the previous owners dodgy "add-ons". We're trying to remove the various junk that's been added to the car. We've tried removing / replacing the various relays and have got to the point where the headlights now work, however, the pop-up unit relays "tick" repeatedly. This appears to be the micro-switches which tell the motors to stop popping them up. Incidentally, there were no earth cables attached to either headlight cluster. Strange! I would be extremely grateful if you could send me the wiring diagram - the address is : Jon Knight, c/o P.M.Street, Harbins Farm, Malthouse Lane, Trent, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4SU. Alternatively, if you've got a scanned version, email me at [e-mail] The chasis number is DH5281, if that helps anyone. What kind of a car manufacturer uses all-black wiring anyway... ? ;-) Cheers! Edited by jonknight on Sunday 19th August 12:10

[jonknight]

Thanks for all your help, guys! It turned out that the previous owner was a bit of a, how shall I say this, "bodger" and decided to add all sorts of junk to the car such as extra relays. I've ripped all this out now, and rewired the relay board, so everything's working fine now! Oh, and the TVR Manual's fantastic, Steve! Cheers! Edited by jonknight on Monday 27th August 14:48