Electrical problem - wipers and headlights both dont work

[alexcurtis]

Evening just been out for a run and as it got dark...realised that my dim, full beam and spots dont work, though my side lights do work! which is strange also my windscreen wipers wont work either, everything else is fine indicators included!!! Checked fuses for both and they are fine ( though thinking about did not check fuse for the spots...though i expect they will be on the same fuse?)

So my guess is earthing? looked and there are 5 points just wondered which of these would be the best easiest to investigate and check first??? - these came from the chimaera forum but fair guess they will be the same!


Underneath radiator on off side at front end of chassis
Ahead of the fuel tank in boot (need to swing fuel tank out of the way)
Under the centre console on near side (about 6 inches forward of the gear lever)
On engine block under the alternator mounting bracket
On engine block - rear end of nearside block

my guess is either the engine block under the alternator or the rad? but if anyone can help narrow it down to save a wild goose chase would be appreciatted!!!

Car is a V reg 200 Griff 500

thanks

alex

[neutral 3]

Any luck sorting it yet ?

I had a similar problem on my first 96 Griff ( N435 DDY 500 HC where are You now ? )
I Just could not get the Lights to work on dip, although the Side and Main both worked. I fitted a New Light Swith , but this didnt solve it.

I never did find out what the cause was, before she went to Germany in Early 08.

[gavgavgav]

If it helps, I had a problem where the dash lights would light up, but I did not get any side lights, or dipped lights. This was due to the switch on the dash having 2 supplies when turned on, one for the dash lights and the other for the car lights. This failed, and a switch change fixed it. To narrow down the problem I took out a bulb and tested if there was a +ve feed when the switch was on. This helped rule out any earthing issue.

[alexcurtis]

Hi

sorry yes it is an earthing issue as ran a wire from the earth of one of the spots to a good earth and hey presto all of the light worked!!!So now ( when i have time - rebuilding a 2 stroke kart engine is always a diverting past time from sorting stupid electrical faults) it is one of the 2 earth points that are conviently hidden by the bottom of the rad need to see if i can get access to the bolts at all... at tighten them up as may have vibrated loose - i know that the connection works as all of the lights work when there is a good earth! what is the betting that there is no nyloc or lock washer on there!
we shall see if not i will do as the bible says and run secondary earths from the headlights and spots to a good earth.

I AM NOT TAKING THE RAD OUT TO SORT THIS FAULT

rant over ;-)

[Colin RedGriff]

The earth point at the front of the chassis would be my bet. The bolt came loose once on my Griff and all sorts of strange things happened with the lights and wipers.

You don't need to take the rad out to tighten the bolt. You can reach it from the front of the car with a socket and long extension bar. The bolt screws directly into the end of the chassis rail.

[Hedgehopper]

I'd agree that the bolt under the rad. was the likely culprit. I have heard that they are likely to shear off if tightened or removed, so plenty of penetration fluid first I suggest.
My grille was riveted in but have replaced them with 6ba nuts and bolts for quicker access.