Left in the dark

[Poledriver]

My friend has just bought a Chim 400. After getting it home the alternator died on her. She's replaced this but now this weekend the lights died, on her way home in the middle of a foggy night!
There are no headlights (dipped or main), sidelights or tail lights. Indicators and hazards work OK and the main beam works on the "flasher" on the stalk. Fuses are OK and I believe that there would be more than one relay involved in all of these functions.
Wire off?
Any ideas?

Cheers!

[BryanWilton]

There is a separate relay for dipped beam & main beam, not sure if the dipped relay also does the rear lights but would guess it does
So as you say, unlikely to be both relays at the same time (but still could be...)

Could be a bad earth somewhere or a problem with the relay panel under the dash
Think i'd take the top of the dash off 1st & see if there is any visible damage to relays (burning/melting)
If there isn't then check there is a 12-volt feed to the relays with the ignition on & light switch on (you'll need to unplug them & use a voltmeter)
If there is then i'd try replacing the relays before going any further

Taking the top of the dash off is a pain in the backside & difficult to explain on here, recommend you get hold of a copy of Steve Heaths TVR Griffith & Chimaera book from Ebay or Amazon to help you (Still a pain even with the book to help)

Do the brake lights work?

[AirconAde]

Hi.
Sounds like the relays at least for main beam are ok as you can flash! Is it an early chim with the push buttons for the lights, if so it sounds like the side light push button is faulty as this is the one common point that would affect all the circuits that you mention.

I'm not sure about the later style dash with the rotary switch but am pretty confident on the early one's as I have just totaly rewired mine due to a "little " fire.
Cheers Ade.

[Poledriver]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! I'm trying to diagnose and repair remotely, car and owner are in Cornwall and I'm in Milton Keynes!!

[Bensonv8]

I'll go with airconade's solution, I had to remove my lights buttons a while ago and had a hell of a job getting them working properly afterwards.
Next time i'll take notes on where the wire go.

Steve

[BryanWilton]

Contact cleaners always worth a try 1st if it is the switch...

[jod]

Agree with Bryan,check the light switches could be a duff switch.
Check all the relays and fuses,you can always change a relay over to double check.
Cheers

[Poledriver]

Turns out that as well as the individual light fuses there is one which feeds the switches and the clock. Quick solution once I could actually see the car!

Thanks Dave!