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        General >> Problems >> headlights 
        
(Message started by: ashley on Aug 26^th, 2011, 2:26pm)

Title: headlights
Post by ashley on Aug 26^th, 2011, 2:26pm

Hi folks wonder if you can help. My headlights came on for no apparent reason whilst the car was locked. I have checked the fuse boxes and both appear dry. At first glance there seems nothing wrong with the light switch. None of the rear lights are on just the headlights The main beam warning light is also dimly lit. Welcome any advice Thanks Ashley

Title: Re: headlights
Post by Simmo on Aug 26^th, 2011, 2:39pm

Have you removed the large multipin connector to the main,drivers side, fusebox?. The usual cause of 'headlights only' is that the plug has been removed and not replaced correctly. It will appear to be ok BUT is actually one row of pins out. There are two lugs on the unit which MUST be located correctly in the housing BEFORE you push in down. Have a look at This post (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=admin;action=display;num=1267895931) which is found in 'How to do things' It was put there because this is a common problem when the connector has been removed and it requires a bit of patience and dexterity to get it correctly located.

Title: Re: headlights
Post by ashley on Aug 26^th, 2011, 7:43pm

Hi Simmo, and thanks no I have not removed any plugs infact the car has not had any faults that is the strange thing, is the car was standing locked, when I passed an hour or so latter some one knocked to let me know the lights were on.???

Title: Re: headlights
Post by Snoopy on Aug 27^th, 2011, 6:54am

Check the ashtray! See if it is shorting out as it can do and cause some very strange problems, other than that I would suggest water in the fuse box even though it appears dry.

Title: Re: headlights
Post by Mike H on Aug 27^th, 2011, 4:54pm

Can look dry on top, but still have a puddle underneath, hidden like. Are the scuttle drains clear?

Title: Re: headlights
Post by ashley on Aug 27^th, 2011, 7:34pm

Hi all, thanks for the suggestions. Yes all the drains are clear and checked all the suggestions made. Whilst checking the headlight switch I had it removed and the lights went out, however after a few minutes I noticed the lights were back on even with the switch removed .Thanks Ashley

Title: Re: headlights
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Aug 27^th, 2011, 8:32pm

No signs of any melting of the plastic connector block which goes to the back of the headlight switch ? Heard of that happening before.

Title: Re: headlights
Post by adam on Aug 27^th, 2011, 8:55pm

Had the same problem on one of mine. I traced it to a faulty relay. If it reappears try and listen for a relay buzz in the fuse box.

Title: Re: headlights
Post by Mike H on Aug 29^th, 2011, 12:13pm

Does seem that way don't it?

Relay contacts can end up "spot welded" together then it's permanently "on". Or they've deformed or got a "whisker" and occasionally make contact when they shouldn't.

Is it dip or main? Dip is R3 & main is R6 in main fusebox, next time it happens try pulling out whichever, problee need a new relay by the sounds of it

BTW where high current is involved (such as headlights) the slightest contact resistance creates heat, could be summat plastic has melted inside the relay stopping the moving contact from opening properly, have had plenty of those sorts of problems with a certain brand of mains timer which is supposed to be 13 Amp rated >:(

Title: Re: headlights
Post by ashley on Aug 30^th, 2011, 10:55pm

Hi One and all, and many thanks for all help advice etc, I think I have solved the problem, it was a mixture between a relay and dampness. When I went to pull out one of the relays I noticed it was not seated properly and some corrosion had occurred and some dampness was also noticed. I removed it cleaned the spades on the relay, also used a hair dryer to drive any dampness that may have been left away and all is now working correctly. The only thing I had done that could have allowed the dampness was to park the car with the front facing uphill, (I normally park front facing downhill). I think this had allowed a small amount of rainwater during a tremendous thunderstorm not to run out of the drain holes as normal and effect the unseated relay. Many thanks again one and all Ashley :)

Title: Re: headlights
Post by Simmo on Aug 31^st, 2011, 7:13am

Good to hear you are sorted. :)

Title: Re: headlights
Post by Mike H on Sep 9^th, 2011, 6:44pm

Ditto, now soak the lot with WD40 ;D