Headlights not working ! Any ideas ?
Discussion
Over the last few months I have noticed that sometimes I don't get full beam which has been a niggle but not a major issue.
Then I started getting full beam on the passenger side only, and as of yesterday no headlights at all.
Fuses all OK, relay clicks (sound like it's in the dash - left hand side) but no illumination.
I am not electrically competant so any pointers much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Then I started getting full beam on the passenger side only, and as of yesterday no headlights at all.
Fuses all OK, relay clicks (sound like it's in the dash - left hand side) but no illumination.
I am not electrically competant so any pointers much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Rich,
No I haven't, but I will.
My plan was asking the collective experience here would give me a decent list of things to check.
I've had the car almost eight years and always been grateful I've not had to change the headlight bulbs having read reports of contortions and triple jointedness required !
No I haven't, but I will.
My plan was asking the collective experience here would give me a decent list of things to check.
I've had the car almost eight years and always been grateful I've not had to change the headlight bulbs having read reports of contortions and triple jointedness required !
As has been said, check the connections to the lamps and earthing points including the one to the chassis at the front.
The headlights (rear) is somewhat exposed, albeit not directly, so its more than likely to be those connections, if its not the lamps themselves.
Have you got the access holes in the inner wings?
The headlights (rear) is somewhat exposed, albeit not directly, so its more than likely to be those connections, if its not the lamps themselves.
Have you got the access holes in the inner wings?
P400PLS said:
No idea about the access panels. Guessing I need to jack the front up and remove the wheels to gain access.
If there are no access panels is it a saw job ?
Probably worth fitting new bulbs once I have found the way in !
TVR dealer mechanics told me to take the number plate off and access the lamps through the grill.If there are no access panels is it a saw job ?
Probably worth fitting new bulbs once I have found the way in !
Not done it that way myself; only did it via the access panel once, and swore "never again".
A promise to myself I have kept for more than 10 years

The chap's at Mole Valley and Racing Green have both fitted new lamps for me in under 15 minutes, so it must be doable.
Likely to be the earth or the bulbs as suggested if the fuse relays already checked.
Don't be afraid to change the bulbs, its genuinely 3 mins a side max once the grill is off - by feel only release the clip pul out old bulb & reverse procedure.
The long part is refitting the grill on an early car it takes some practice - so while you are in there clear out all the debris that will have accumulated and perhaps clean/change the air filter and upgrade the bulbs while you have the opportunity - major difference
Don't be afraid to change the bulbs, its genuinely 3 mins a side max once the grill is off - by feel only release the clip pul out old bulb & reverse procedure.
The long part is refitting the grill on an early car it takes some practice - so while you are in there clear out all the debris that will have accumulated and perhaps clean/change the air filter and upgrade the bulbs while you have the opportunity - major difference
Update on progress.
Yesterday morning went into the garage, checked lights through habit now.
Dipped beam both sides ! tried full beam and left (passenger side) full beam, drivers side - the beam faded.
Light switch off and tried the flash on the stalk. Left OK, right dim.
Is this pointing towards the concensus of a bad earth ?
If it is, any pointers on where the earth is ?
Yesterday morning went into the garage, checked lights through habit now.
Dipped beam both sides ! tried full beam and left (passenger side) full beam, drivers side - the beam faded.
Light switch off and tried the flash on the stalk. Left OK, right dim.
Is this pointing towards the concensus of a bad earth ?
If it is, any pointers on where the earth is ?
Headlights failed again this week so it was time to jack the car up, remove the wheel and see what I could find.
Access panel was a positive start. Bit of exploration and found the headlight bulb connector was a bit melted / burnt out.
New connector from eBay and everything is now fine.
Access panel was a positive start. Bit of exploration and found the headlight bulb connector was a bit melted / burnt out.
New connector from eBay and everything is now fine.
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