Lighting Issue

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neilmorey
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Lighting Issue

Post by neilmorey »

The car has been parked up in the garage with electrics isolated for last few weeks but today when I reconnected the isolator the lights didn't behave correctly.
Position 1 I get the side lights and panels lights as normal.
Position 2, headlights come on but no tail lights, side lights or panel lights.
Wondering if it is some type of an earthing issue between sideligtht and headlight circuits or that the switch has become faulty somehow.

Car is a 1971 Traveller with 3 position toggle switch (Off, centre sidelights, headlamps)

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks
Last edited by neilmorey on Sun Oct 29, 2017 8:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
palacebear
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Re: Lighting Issue

Post by palacebear »

What happens when you press the dip-switch?
1956 4-door called Max
neilmorey
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Re: Lighting Issue

Post by neilmorey »

Dip switch works normally between dipped and main beam.

It is as if when changing over between side and head lights the link to the side light circuit is broken.
oliver90owner
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Re: Lighting Issue

Post by oliver90owner »

Two scenarios, as I see it.

1) all lights are energised but the low wattage ones are very dim while headlamps are on - so a high resistance in the feed to the side lights, etc., or if the headlamps are not as bright as normal you have a high resistance in the feed to the switch.
2) switch needs attention or replacement.
beero
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Re: Lighting Issue

Post by beero »

Take the blue wire off the switch. if the same happens, that is, the sides still go off in position 3 then the switch is faulty.

biomed32uk
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Re: Lighting Issue

Post by biomed32uk »

On later cars there is a fuse for the tail and side lights etc, the inline fuse holder that hangs around under the generator control box. Be worth checking there first to see if it is a simple as a blown fuse.
oliver90owner
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Re: Lighting Issue

Post by oliver90owner »

Be worth checking there first to see if it is a simple as a blown fuse.

Fuse only blown when headlights on and then OK without?
myoldjalopy
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Re: Lighting Issue

Post by myoldjalopy »

Unlikely :-? I like beero's test suggestion.......the switch does seem an obvious suspect.
neilmorey
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Re: Lighting Issue

Post by neilmorey »

Thanks, switch seems most likely to me too as everything works independently but not together. Just odd it should go at this point.
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