Headlights

[dave400se]

Hi All. Hoping I can get some help from those with more skill/knowledge than me.

Front sidelights and rear lights are working with lights switch in middle and on positions. But headlights are not working at all in either position (pods not rising and no illumination from lights in pods) plus pulling back on light stalk does not produce a "flash".

I'm thinking that there is either a loose connection, the switch needs cleaning, or a relay/diode (are these the same thing, and are they found in the passenger footwell?) has gone pop and needs replacing.

The thing is, whilst I think I understand the theory, I have no clue with the practice.

I love driving TVRs but I am not a screwdriver's best friend.

So, imagine you're talking to a 10 year old, how do I find out what's wrong and then fix it?

Thanks
David

PS - went to my first BBWF last w/e (in Blaine's old 400SE). Got there late due to M6 closure but had a great time, especially in the evening (as many have said already).

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Dave..I believe that the pods dont flash on later wedges...The driving lights/Cibie in the spoiler do most of the flashing...Have you checked the fuses or tried swapping the relays over for the pods..Ideally you neeed to check to see if you have any feed coming from the switch..Sometimes the contacts in the actual switch need a clean and you can see them from underneath the switch..The switch does also come apart but be gentle with it..There are locating lugs on the sides..If you need a new one then rimmers did do the headlight switches..Cheers...Ziga

[ralph350i]

Quote
a relay/diode (are these the same thing, and are they found in the passenger footwell?) has gone pop and needs replacing.

Hi Dave
Its located on the relay board behind the glove compartment, good luck

Cheers

Ralph

[blaineuk]

hi dave i would check the switch first, as zig says lower lights are for flash, pods used to come up on side lights but i did a mod to stop that as it looked daft. i think that if it is diode/relay fault then lights are on with pods down.

[RCK974X]

You don't say what year your car is. There were a few different wiring setups over the years.

Anyway - some general ides to check.

Make sure it's not as simple as a blown fuse. It happens ! My '82 has separate fuses for main, dip, side, but not for each headlamp.

Those Lucas switches are notorious for not making clean connections. You can strip them down easily and clean all the contacts - I think it's safe to say many wedge owners have had dodgy switch contacts at some time !! I reckon this is probably the most likely from symptoms described. The flasher feed and pod lift power come from the headlamp switch (on mine at least)

Check there aren't any loose/hanging wires (earths too, but probably OK if side lights work).

Diodes tend to affect the pod lift motors, not the headlights themselves. Wedg1e posted a nice little circuit diagram in a recent thread - worth saving that as your reference !

Wiring is scary to some people, but just work through methodically and you'll find it's not nearly that bad, honest.

Edited by RCK974X on Monday 22 July 21:22