Series 3 Electrics

This evening I hit the switch to put the headlights on. Not a lot happened - apart from the right hand indicator front and back lit up, the side lights dimmed and the headlamp warning light on the dash (although the stalk was set to dip) lit up.
It was fun driving home on side lights. I thought so, although the humour escaped a passing Police car.
What think ye? Am I looking for an earthing fault? a short behind the dash? trouble in't loom? Pleeze any suggestions - cos' I'm a bit in the dark.

In the dark, eh?

Start with the easiest one: check your fuses. Take 'em out one at a time and clean the connectors with a scotty dog or some fine wet/dry. It could be all that's wrong. After that, check all your bulbs and clean the connectors while they're out as well. If that doesn't sort it, you're looking at taking things apart and checking wires with gadgets etc. which you might want to get someone with a bit of electrickery experience to do for ya. Good luck

Cheers Gareth
Many thanks for your suggestions. I checked out the fuses tonight. I think the problem is in the indicator, headlamp, horn switch on the column. Power is going in all right but it's sending it out all over the place. Me think it'll have to be a new one. A local garage is getting one for me. Maybe the nice man will help me fit it, or at least sit and laugh while I try.
Watch this space
But thanks again

RobbieM

Hi there

Ive just recently had problems with my eletrics on my s3.All i did was replace the eart wires most of them anyway.Seems to solve the problem for now

Gavin

Hi Gavin

Many thanks for your suggestion about earth wires. I have found that with the lights in the past.

Well the man from the garage helped me fit the new switch but it made little difference. The real problem turned out to be the wires in the loom going to the front lights. They had rattled about under the bonnet for 30 years and had rattle off their insulation, so the lot had to be replaced. Although the electrics seem to be working now I am beginning to wonder about the condition of the wires going to the rear lights and indicators.

RobbieM