Lighting problems

try redoing your main earth to chassis

Good point Red

Cheers guys, i haven't had chance to look at it today but am plannint to tomorrow weather permitting, i will keep you posted on any developments.

Just a quick update, checked the earth points behind the kick panels,cleaned alternator connections and have cleaned the earth strap to the engine. I then noticed that where the negative battery lead gets held in place on the inner wing is also an earth point which was very loose ( previously only cleaned the terminals each end).Remove the lead completely and put the clamp in the vice to tighten it up and put it back on. The heater doesn't make any change in sound now when the lights/back windows demister or anything else is turned on so hopefully will see an improvement at night with the lights.

I have also removed the viscous fan,completely removed the aircon rad,pump etc but left the aircon fans in place and have now connected these up with an adjustable thermostat switch to stop it overheating when stood,it now warms up much quicker and seems more responsive to drive so hopefully will improve mpg too if driven in the same manner as before.

Further update, took it for a drive in the dark earlier and not had any problems with the lights even with turning on the rear window demister and the heater on full so hopefully the repair to the negative battery lead has done the trick.

rambo67 said:

I had a similar problem , I thought it was the battary , that was fine though . Turned out that the battery lugs and conectors were slightly corroded . Cleaned them up and all was well .....

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I was thinking you have a bad ground cable but trouble shooting over a computer is a guessing game.

Here's a quick test of your charging system and remove a possible battery problem... Start it up and then disconnect the battery ground (eliminating the battery). If the engine keeps running, your alternator is working. Drive around to see if the problem remains. A bad ground will continue the problem. A bad regulator will make the problem worse or even let your engine quit.

I have already done that test and it still ran, alternator also shows an output of 13.75v with all the high drain items switched on so i'm hoping that the repair to the inner wing bracket has cured it properly. The short test done last night seemed ok so will have to see on a longer journey if it still behaves itself, fingers crossed it will.