headlights and instrument panel illumination

Just been sitting in the garage messing with the Heap, making a list of things to do for the NCT (Irish equiv of the MOT) and ticking it over (just cos i like the noise) and i noticed one headlight does not work on full beam, but does on dip, and the instrument panel switch is a little dodgy - works, but only if held in just the right position.

Now, knowing even less about electricals than i do about engines (Feck all), I was wondering (i can hear you all screaming 'Stoopid' at me here) if it's simply a case of new bulb for the light and replacing a crap switch on the dash for the instrument illumination, or is there something more sinister going on.

Incidentally, in another thread i mentioned that i'd been told my engine was knackered; since then i've been told that if it fires up first time every time, that this is unlikely to be the case. I have a little more faith in the chap who said the latter, and am seriously hoping he is right. The smoke is there and the oil leaks are profuse (compared to me '06 suzuki) but, the fact the Heap starts without a problem must surely give grounds for belief in a need for only minor engine surgery?

headlight will need replacing if it is of the sealed beam type (no seperate bulb) panel lights do not have to be operational for the Brit mot. If its starting with no hesitation then it must be ok, just cure the oil leaks when you can.

i had a switch go like that. it would work but only inbetween the clicks (sorry for the bad explanation). i just swapped it and it was fine.

the head light, could be a bulb, bad earth or a broken wire. id whip the buld out and ahve a look at it if its blown change it, if it looks fine, get the ameter out and check youve got voltage there and then check for continuety from the negative terminal to the body or the chassis. if youve got all that it should work!

as for the engine, my landy is like a siv! if the oil leaks are just drips and not raging torrents i wouldnt worry and just keep topping the oil up.

Cheers Stig.

In relation to the head lamps, has anyone done the halogen lamp conversion?

Is it better to do this than to be messing around with replacing complete standard units everytime a bulb blows? Do i need to replace/mutilate the wiring, or do they just connect up to the existing circuit?

Timmy, I know wot you mean - that sounds exactly like my switch - a replacement it is.

The Wipac or any other halogen conversion is a straight forward plug in to the existing wiring, just make sure your earth wire connections to the body are good.

Have just done halogen conversion on mine Well worth the effort/ expence ( Well Ebay actually, so not that bad at all)

I'd concentrate on the necessary stuff first though.
Replace switch.
Track wiring is ok from behind the grille. There will be a connector where the lighting supply splits L&R. Blue-Red Blue-white I think for series 3.
It is qiute common for these connectors to corrode.
Also check your earth for that light, or route it to your sidelight to check the wiring for a check.

I fitted a main earth wire back from the new lights to a bolt on the front rad panel. Just used 3 ring crimp connectors on short heavy wires to bullet connectors. These were then fitted with double bullet sockets - providing 9 earth points for all front lights. Lots of vaseline in there to keep the water out.

I used the lights with additional sidelights in, in new plastic buckets with large stainless screws for the surrounds.
Also replaced indicators and white sidelights with wipac ready-made ones. I'm a penny-pinchin bugger, and tried to salvage the old ones, but for a couple of quid these look the business!
(Note on brands - use wipac lenses at least - lot of dodgey cheap stuff around)

Cheers Rowan!

That's me weekend sorted, so.