Electric/lighting troubles.

[merrysoul]

Hello forum people,

I haven't posted before and need advice with a couple of issues.
The interior lights have gone out. I've fiddled with and then replaced the rheostat but nothing has worked.

The other issue involves the headlamps. Both pods rise without issue but only the left hand lamp comes on. Both lights work on main beam and when flashed.

Could these issues be linked?
I have checked the relays and wiring as much as possible without taking apart the dash but I fear buried somewhere is a lose or damaged wire.
Can anyone guess at the most likely cause.

Cheers

Geoff

[Raider]

Regarding the interior lights - have you checked that the switches on the door post are moving freely and are clean?

On the headlamp issue - hmmm, they do give trouble ::)

Start with cleaning all the wiring connections and making sure the earths are good.

Of course, it might be that your sealed beam is no good and needs replacing  ;)

Oh, that's if it is a sealed beam - if not then it could be your bulb :-/

[Beans]

Hi Geoff,

As you mention interior lightS (plural) I pressume you are talking about the lights in the doors. Problems with the interior lights might well be caused by faults in the light armatures themselves. They are easy to remove from the door trim, but it's also easy to damage them. Once they are out check them visualy for damage and with a multi meter. Also check the switches in the A-pilar on both sides, and th ewires for signs of damage.

As for the headlamps, if the lightpods go up and down without any problems and one of the lights works it just might be that one of the bulbs has gone. But first check if there is a current at the black connector behind the headlamp panel in th eengine compartment. And of course check the fuses ...



There are no relays for the lights themselves, only for the headlamp motors (one each) and one for the headlamp flash.

Chances that both faults are linked are slim in my opinion

[merrysoul]

Thanks for the replies. :)

Unfortunately I've misled you both.
When I mentioned 'interior lights' I was referring to the dashboard lighting which is why I mentioned the rheostat. In the past a stray nudge of the rheostat knob has completely knocked out the dash lighting but having replaced the rheostat I'm still left without light.
Any thoughts?

The fuses are all fine.

The car is fitted with halogen bulbs both of which work OK in the left light pod.
So this still sounds most like a wiring or earth problem.
I'll go and give everything a good clean.

Thanks for you help guys.

[Raider]

OK - do the dashboard lights work if you take out the rheostat and join the wires from it direct to each other?

Is there power to the rheostat?

[merrysoul]

I'll try this later and let you know.

thanks

[bmcecosse]

The dash lights are pretty dim at best of time - I can only just see an eerie glow when driving at night - but it is enough!  The main problem withj headlights is getting them to go up and down - so your's will just be a loose power feed to the bulb.