failing lights on an s1

[chrisviles]

My s1 has failed its MOT on weak lights.

We appear to have traced the problem to a broken dim-dip relay. Side lights available only. Unfortuantely a replacement relay appears to be difficult to find.

Can anyone help? Has anyone suffered a similar problem.

[keithyboy]

I had a similar problem on my old S1 and currently have the same (although not as bad) on my present V8S - even with new lights, bulbs etc. etc. The problem appears to be the poor contact made by the snap-together white plastic electrical connector usually located in the vicinity of the bonnet hinges. The connector is in place to facilitate easy (!!) removal of the bonnet but it also tends to get all the crud and water thrown up from the wheels. I sorted the S1 with water-tight rubber boxes (with built in connector strips) screwed to the wooden inner wheel arches each side. Having cut through the loom and discarding the old connector I carefully rewired up each side and improved things considerably. I'm struggling to source similar boxes for the V8S as we speak. I'll keep you posted! btw - I'm assuming you've already checked for a good earth, although that said if the connector has had it I doubt it'll make any difference anyhow. Good Luck - let us know how you get on.

>> Edited by keithyboy on Tuesday 8th July 23:59

[GreenV8S]

If you're replacing these connectors, I can recommend the SureSeal waterproof connectors. They're pricy but fully waterproof, compact and with a high current rating.

[keithyboy]

Peter - from where can these be sourced please?

[GreenV8S]

I got mine from Farnels, but lots of places do them - for example Servo Connectors (www.servoconnectors.co.uk) do them. They come in various sizes from 1-pin up to 12-pin or so.

If you get them, you will need a hand tool to press the terminals into the housing. In theory this is optional, in practice you really don't want to go there.

[keithyboy]

Thanks.