Headlamp Electrics

[bjc]

Any clever Tiv electricians out there? One of my headlighs has started playing up and I dont know if it is fuse, dodgy connection or lamp etc.

I can get all beams on the passenger lamp but only side or full beam (no dipped) on the drivers side. Bible says it is a two filament bulb so how does it work?

[5ltr-chim]

Quite simple really :

The lamps are halogen H4 55W/60W although you can legally use 80W/100W
They have 3 pins and one is common to both filaments and power gets connected to the chosen other.
I guess the one not working is dipped.

Most people and the bible (I think) say you need to remove the inspection cover in the wheel arch to replace the lamp - NOT me!.

Before replacing the lamp give the cable a little wiggle as it could be a dirty connection. As for this and replacement - I've found that on the offside (drivers) you can actually reach throug the grille opening. So it took me about 2 minutes instead of the 2 hours I've heard of the other way.
The actual fitting is similar to most modern cars with a single connector you pull off and then a spring clip holding it in place. This has 2 tails you move towards each other to release.

NEVER - touch the glass of a useable lamp - the oils from your skin will cause a hot spot and kill the lamp
pretty quickly.

Hope this helps.

>> Edited by 5ltr-chim on Tuesday 25th March 21:15

[trefor]

The lamps are halogen H4 55W/60W although you can legally use 80W/100W

You sure? I'm running 80/100W and they're great - better than many modern cars with traditional style lights (i.e. not xenon etc.). I thought they were a bit naughty though, mainly the fact that you're running 80W dipped. Nothing on the dazzle comparison scale compared with xenons though ...

[iandbeech]

Just replaced offside bulb (2 filament) as dipped had blown, replaced with what was in it (80/100) although handbook says 55/60. Early Chimaera access is through front grill(I thought it was a bit of a pain - especially getting grill back into rubber surround) and you have to do by feel as you can`t see the back of the headlamp casing. Later Chimps are via an inspection hatch where you (just?!) have to jack up and take wheel off and unscrew small hatch.

Hope that helps

[atg]

bjc ... you got two bulbs in the headlamp unit ... little one for "sidelight" and a bigger two filament job for dipped/full. Mr Spoons, aka ATG, once replaced the wrong *kin bulb when sidelights had packed up ... fortunatley there was a rotting VW Polo on the driveway (my mother is a classy bird) and they use very similar lamps ... Bosch units. (a) this is good for nicking bulbs, (b) it is good for having a look at the sping clips and electrical connector so that you can have some clue as to what to do when you insert your arm deep into your TVR.

[tvrtim]

I would just add that while you are feeling around,blindly,it is very easy to put the 3 pin connector back wrongly ie turned 90 degrees.
It feels that is on correctly but you loose dip or main.