Hi all,

Got a 1997 110 CSW and recently the lights have been a bit dodgy. Sometimes they work and other times they're totally dead. Did a bit of research on here and thought I'd start with the easy stuff first, so just changed the switch on the steering column.

But, I noticed the connector block that's attached to the loom looked a tad scorched.

I'm new to this DIY car repair stuff, do you think there's a bigger problem here, or will a dodgy switch have caused that?

Pics....

Connector in steering column:



Connector on switch(it was melted so I had to break it to get it off):



Any advice/comments greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Jud

It looks like the problem is just with the connector. I'd guess that over time the contact has broken down/corroded and has arced and smoldered, causing the plastic to melt and scorch the copper.

From the photos it doesn't look like the wire is damaged.

It wouldn't be the switch that caused it. Just the connector itself.

That brown wire is a perminent battery feed. Switch position 1 connects it to the red wire, which feeds the side lights. Switch position 2 connects it to both the red and the blue/purple, the later feeds the high/dip selector.

If it were me, I'd cut off the those connectors and attach some insulated spade or bullet connectors and wrap them up in some heat shrink tubing or some insulation tape to keep them together and the insulated from the elements.

Good that you've found it before it caught fire.

Thanks Mundungus, I reckon your right about replacing the whole lot with insulated connectors. Sounds like a good idea to me.

Cheers,

Jud

Hi same happened to mine the weekend i was night off roading & the bloody lights packed in had to arc the lights to get home.
I got a new headlight switch following day. sorted

With the connector melted like that I'd double check to make sure somebody hasn't fitted uprated headlight bulbs.

ratty said:

With the connector melted like that I'd double check to make sure somebody hasn't fitted uprated headlight bulbs.

Click to expand...

I'll check, but they're the dimmest headlight bulbs I've ever seen! If they're upgraded, I'd hate to see the originals.

Have to agree with Mundungus - particularly if the headlamps aren't that bright!

If they're the replaceable bulb type, worth replacing with Halfords extreme Brilliance bulbs sometime - they're not Xenons, but there is a noticeable difference