Disco 1 New MOT - now for some headlight inspiration!

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ShaunPDisco

Active Member
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Somewhere between Gloucester and Tewkesbury
Managed to get the Disco through the test today....with no advisories!!!!
Only just as had a headlight go dim on the ramp and tester told me to sort it quickly!! Turns out the plastic headlight connector has seen better days so before I go and get some replacements thought I would ask what upgrade people have done??
 
He was friendly then, I had a similar thing a few years ago, even though I tested my lights beforehand, when I was shown the problem during the test I just touched the connector and every thing was ok and so I got my pass certificate, but that problem was a fail because when I checked my disco's MOT history on-line it shows an MOT fail with the headlamp.
That was the first MOT fail I've ever had,:( although I do have advisories on something stupid, one was for a windscreen chip, oh come on it's been there for 12 years... it's still there :)
 
Many people advise that the plastic connectors are changed for ceramic ones in the first instance.
Others will also advise that you modify the wiring to introduce relays to switch the lamps.
There are a number of reasons for this particular mod; by using relays to do the main work, it takes the high current stresses off the steering column stalk. The mod allows you to put the actual lamp switching closer (electrically) to the lamps. It also allows you to use a heavier gauge of wire for feeding the power to the lamps, resulting in a lower "voltage drop" loss in the wiring and an almost full 12 volts at the lamps which should result in brighter lights.
I would also advise that you change the bulbs for Osram Nightbreakers +130% or Phillips X-treme +120%.
Do all that and you should notice a difference.
 
brian47 said:
Many people advise that the plastic connectors are changed for ceramic ones in the first instance.
Others will also advise that you modify the wiring to introduce relays to switch the lamps.
There are a number of reasons for this particular mod; by using relays to do the main work, it takes the high current stresses off the steering column stalk. The mod allows you to put the actual lamp switching closer (electrically) to the lamps. It also allows you to use a heavier gauge of wire for feeding the power to the lamps, resulting in a lower "voltage drop" loss in the wiring and an almost full 12 volts at the lamps which should result in brighter lights.
I would also advise that you change the bulbs for Osram Nightbreakers +130% or Phillips X-treme +120%.
Do all that and you should notice a difference.
Click to expand...
wot he said.^^^^^^

relay mod is in the CFAQ section :)
 
I fitted the Boomslang relay as the high wattage bulbs kept on melting the plastic bulb connectors, bit of an improvement in the lighting. Then she copped stones into both headlights cracking them and allowing them to leak.

Threw money at the problem and fitted new headlights. Coo! Much better. I guess after 20 years the silvering tarnishes. Fitted polycarbonate protectors too.
 
ShaunPDisco said:
Thank you both!!!

I have ordered the loom which has Ceramic connectors and also some new bulbs. I have also ordered a new steering damper and front mud flaps and headlight clips!! Will update when it is fitted!!!
Click to expand...

If you're purchasing a loom I assume your voltage test wasn't as it should be, which is rare as the 300 series wiring fitted by LR Is quite suitable and capable for the systems that the vehicle has included it's lighting.

As I'm giving my disco a spring clean today which includes removing the headlamps I thought i'll test my discos voltage and post a picture, as you can see 13.58 even with the Flukes 1.5% variance its still good.
So much for the doom and gloom comments on voltage drop, thicker wire and getting the almost 12 volts at the headlamp. :)
 

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Well the loom and new bulbs arrived yesterday so got them fitted. Very very happy with the result. Not sure how much is the bulbs but it was an easy solution to enable the connectors to be upgraded without too much hassle. Now to get on with mud flaps and a few other bits!!!

Thank you for all your advice and comments!!
 
Zombie thread alert- where’s the best place to run the cable across the front on a Disco 1? Under the radiator, or behind grille/in front of rad? Bought kit and want to wire it in right place.
 
K2tnt said:
Zombie thread alert- where’s the best place to run the cable across the front on a Disco 1? Under the radiator, or behind grille/in front of rad? Bought kit and want to wire it in right place.
Click to expand...

The air con fan wiring runs more or less as Europa's post below:-

Europa486 said:
I have both my relays behind the o/sf headlight then the feed goes across in front of the radiator behind the grill
Very straight forward,
Click to expand...

I'd keep it high up, and put it in flexi conduit - much as LR did with the fans I already mentioned ...... :)
 
Ah great, I’ll do that then. Wiring already came in flex conduit as part of kit.

Will post pics when done.
 
You can fit D2 headlights, they go straight in. Don’t remember if they made any difference but liked the look of them.
The loom was a huge upgrade for mine.
 
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