Headlight/Sidelight

[drivingfroggy]

Is it normal for the dip beam to be on when the sidelights are selected? I've just fitted a set of crystal units and this is what happens. I haven't noticed it before, because I haven't had need to look. At first I thought it was because I had crossed red to black on the offside light, but after putting it right it's still the same. Any suggestions/info.
Regards
Phill.

[Barkychoc]

There was a stupid law in the late eighties when the dim dip system was in force - so then you put sidelights on your dipped beam came on dimly (only with the ignition on I think), then when you put dipped beam on you got proper brightness dipped beam.

Does this sound like what you have?

[drivingfroggy]

I can't see a difference with the brightness. I'm just concerned about MOT rules. Main beam and driving lights are all fine.

[Barkychoc]

If you put the light switch to the sidelights on position is the dipped beam on regardless of the ignition switch position?

[drivingfroggy]

With the ignition off, I get no dipped beam at all. Whether the switch is on side or dip. But with the ignition on I get both in both positions

[T' Veteran Racer]

I have a similar behaviour on my S2. I too have just changed my Headlights to Wipac Crystal ones – very similar to the Freeform. Here is a description and sequence of the behaviour I get:

1. Turn Ignition Switch On.
2. Turn on the Light Switch to the first position, Side Lights – Dip Beam comes on along with the Pilot Light.
3. Move the Light Switch to the Dip Beam position – I get Dip Beam and Pilot Light still.
4. Move Light Switch back to Sidelight position – Dip Beam goes out, Sidelight comes on and Pilot Light remains on.
5. Now, whenever I move the Light Switch from Sidelight to Dip Beam, and back to Sidelight - everything works as it should do.
6. Main Beam only work when the Light Switch is in the Dip Beam position, as it should do.
7. When the Ignition is switched off and the Light Switch is left on in any position – the Pilot Light only is on. I guess this is the Parking Light.

I don’t know if this is how it should work, like Phil, I have not notice it before. My limited experience on TVRs has taught me that they are not all alike, or it could be that they all do that sir! Who knows?

Anyway, back to those Wipac Crystal lights. I went out in the dark the other night to try them out and Wow, what a difference, I could actually see where I was going and the light on the road ahead was actually white, rather than a dim yellow . IMHO a very worth while upgrade. If anyone is interested I got mine from here through EBay Off-Road Rover, very good value and they also sell the plastic Headlamp bowls as well.

Pete

Edited by T' Veteran Racer on Sunday 1st March 17:47

[wiz 1]

Got the same lights and the same thing with the semi dipped beam sidelights.

[drivingfroggy]

Sounds like this is the way it goes with these lights. I just hope it's legal for the MOT