My lights are a bit messed up!
Discussion
Hi folks!
Bit of a strange problem this one... it's probably just wiring, but I'll run it past ya'll anyway.
My front passenger side headlight has decided to stop working only on main beam. It's fine on side lights, fine when flashing or full beam, but it just comes on as sidelight when on main. The bulb must be screwed. It's gonna be fun changing it on the weekend!
At the same time, my rear passenger side brake light only comes on when it feels like it. The bulb hasn't blown so it must be a loose connection somewhere.
It's time for a service anyway, so I reckon I'll just let them sort it all out!
Bit of a strange problem this one... it's probably just wiring, but I'll run it past ya'll anyway.
My front passenger side headlight has decided to stop working only on main beam. It's fine on side lights, fine when flashing or full beam, but it just comes on as sidelight when on main. The bulb must be screwed. It's gonna be fun changing it on the weekend!
At the same time, my rear passenger side brake light only comes on when it feels like it. The bulb hasn't blown so it must be a loose connection somewhere.
It's time for a service anyway, so I reckon I'll just let them sort it all out!
Confused: main beam is usually a synonym for full beam. The terms I'm more used to are:-
Dim light: side lights
Normal light: dipped headlights
Bright as f***: main beam or full beam
So... trying to figure out what your problem is: sidelights work. Dipped headlights work. Pulling the stalk towards you to flash works, but pushing it forward to go full time full/main beam doesn't?
If that's what happens, it might not be the bulb, because clearly the bit that deals with dipped headlights and main beam works (i.e. the two filaments).
This brings me to a question I've been meaning to ask, which someone around here might know. When my headlights are on (and this is in most recent cars I've owned, not just the TVR), if I flash full/main beam, the dipped headlight bulb/filament stays on. If however, I go for full/main beam on permanently, the dipped headlight part of things goes out. Irritatingly this loses the really good illumination that dipped headlights give you in the middle distance.
I could imagine that this is to stop an H4 (dual filament) bulb burning out. However, my BMW does it (completely seperate lamps), my old Mondeo did it, ditto the Rover I had, ditto my friend's motorbike. It sounds, therefore, like a legal requirement, but not one I can see the remotest reason for having.
Anyone know?
Dim light: side lights
Normal light: dipped headlights
Bright as f***: main beam or full beam
So... trying to figure out what your problem is: sidelights work. Dipped headlights work. Pulling the stalk towards you to flash works, but pushing it forward to go full time full/main beam doesn't?
If that's what happens, it might not be the bulb, because clearly the bit that deals with dipped headlights and main beam works (i.e. the two filaments).
This brings me to a question I've been meaning to ask, which someone around here might know. When my headlights are on (and this is in most recent cars I've owned, not just the TVR), if I flash full/main beam, the dipped headlight bulb/filament stays on. If however, I go for full/main beam on permanently, the dipped headlight part of things goes out. Irritatingly this loses the really good illumination that dipped headlights give you in the middle distance.
I could imagine that this is to stop an H4 (dual filament) bulb burning out. However, my BMW does it (completely seperate lamps), my old Mondeo did it, ditto the Rover I had, ditto my friend's motorbike. It sounds, therefore, like a legal requirement, but not one I can see the remotest reason for having.
Anyone know?
I reckon you've got the answers in your first mailing.
Headlamp problem - needs a new bulb, dip filament has gone.
Brake light problem - bad connection. Mine tends to eat bulbs (on the offside in my case) as the holder is c$£p and suffers from poor connection. Relatively large wattage brake light filament, so current causes overheating of connector in holder; eventually overheats bulb as well and filament fails. I tend to use the handbrake if at a junction for a long time to avoid the problem. It might be better to invest in a new bulb holder but hey that would stop the fun of a TVR and I wouldn't have the opportunity to develop the handbrake muscles in my left arm.
Headlamp problem - needs a new bulb, dip filament has gone.
Brake light problem - bad connection. Mine tends to eat bulbs (on the offside in my case) as the holder is c$£p and suffers from poor connection. Relatively large wattage brake light filament, so current causes overheating of connector in holder; eventually overheats bulb as well and filament fails. I tend to use the handbrake if at a junction for a long time to avoid the problem. It might be better to invest in a new bulb holder but hey that would stop the fun of a TVR and I wouldn't have the opportunity to develop the handbrake muscles in my left arm.
quote:
This brings me to a question I've been meaning to ask, which someone around here might know. When my headlights are on (and this is in most recent cars I've owned, not just the TVR), if I flash full/main beam, the dipped headlight bulb/filament stays on. If however, I go for full/main beam on permanently, the dipped headlight part of things goes out. Irritatingly this loses the really good illumination that dipped headlights give you in the middle distance.
On the Griffith however, the dipped beam stays on with the main beam on. There is no legal requirement to switch off the dipped beam when on main beam. When we carry out the headlight conversions on the Chimaera and Cerbera we insert a new loom that keeps the dipped beams powered when you switch to main beam. This is not necessary on the Griffith.
Clive
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