J

JebLZ

Member
Parked up at a shop earlier during some nasty rain, then when I get back and turn engine/lights on the side lights came on as usual (1-turn) but no dipped headlights came on on the second turn. Instead, I get the blue 'full beam' dash light on solidly(pulling back the stall to toggle full beam does nothing)

Drove home with sidelights and fog lights (which still worked).

Any ideas? Big rain storm right now so can't do my usual testing. Found two people on forums with identical symptoms but inconclusive resolutions ( https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/headlights-not-working.212744/#post-2363132 )

What's the blue light on constantly mean?
What are the single points of failure in the headlight system?
Earth?
Relay?
Stalk?

Thanks!
 
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I had a word with myself, manned up and went out in the rain. Found two nicely barbecued headlight connectors on each headlight assembly!

IMG_1579.JPG
IMG_1580.JPG
 
Jiggling them about a bit resulted in them lighting up again, however smoke was coming off them (probably burning off the WD40 I'd just sprayed them with)

The connections seem fairly corroded, hence high resistance, so that's why they're running hot
 
Sounds good but might have to get them somewhere local, I commute in the dark so need them asap :-(
 
JebLZ said:
Sounds good but might have to get them somewhere local, I commute in the dark so need them asap :-(
Click to expand...
Check out flea bay item # 321322933565 - they'll send them RM special next day delivery - so order tomoz, and have them wednesday !!:)
 
JebLZ said:
I had a word with myself, manned up and went out in the rain. Found two nicely barbecued headlight connectors on each headlight assembly!
Click to expand...
No supprised looking at the state of the three bulb terminals and the dust on the connector, looks like they haven't been touched for years.
Preventive maintenance comes to mind, which saves such and other issues. :D
 
Definitely! Pay to learn...

Anyway...think it'll be a Halfords job in the morning, flooding permitting. How should I join the old wires to the new ones? I have a selection of crimp terminals and heat shrink. I'm thinking just a simple straight butt connector, probably yellow but will check the current first.
EDIT: blue seems to be the common choice
 
JebLZ said:
Definitely! Pay to learn...

Anyway...think it'll be a Halfords job in the morning, flooding permitting. How should I join the old wires to the new ones? I have a selection of crimp terminals and heat shrink. I'm thinking just a simple straight butt connector, probably yellow but will check the current first.
EDIT: blue seems to be the common choice
Click to expand...

The problem which occurs when trying to decide which colour crimp to use comes from the fact that the three colours, red, blue and yellow are sized to fit some standard domestic electrical cables, nothing to do with the current carrying capabilities. The red crimps fit up to 1.5 mm, the blue up to 2.5 mm and the yellow are for 6.0 mm.
Provided you can get all of the wire which you want to connect into the end of the crimp without strands either poking out or having to be cut away then that's the size to use on vehicle wiring.
You will get a better, tighter and more secure joint by using the smallest crimp which meets the above criteria, larger crimps might not be tight enough and could lead to heating, even fire due to poor contact.
A more successful method would be to solder and cover with heat-shrink sleeving.
Many will tell you to tin both wires and lay them side by side and apply some heat from the soldering iron and sweating the two wires together. While this method will work, in a more hostile environment like a motor vehicle where vibration can have an effect, I prefer the "belt and braces" method of a mechanical connection first and then solder, especially if you're not that experienced with soldering.
If you Google "American Twist Joint" or "Western Union Splice" you should get some idea of what I mean. They are both variations of the "Britannia Joint".
 
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iansoady said:
Your first suggestion took me to a page telling me how to roll joints......
Click to expand...
Just one of the perils of t'interwebspherespace. If you looked at the google images you would have seen some pictures of the wire connection. Joints are also shown, or that's what I think they might be.
 
All done! Lights brighter than they've been in a long time.

They've been getting dimmer so gradually that I didn't even notice!
 
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