Problems with the headlights

[Billy Smalls]

Hello again

Okay, this is the lights on a 1970 144 with the earliest type grille.

The sidelights are fine, however the headlights are not working after the car has been parked up (could be co-incidental) then decide to work, or sometimes don't?!? i.e. temperamental.....BUT the full beams are working fine.

I've wiggled the connections a bit and been told it could be a relay....

I've never had problems with electrics on old cars before, so I'm a bit in the dark (pun fully intended)

All suggestions gratefully received, thanks all

[arcturus]

Check your earth connections first

[Billy Smalls]

Originally Posted by arcturus

Check your earth connections first

I located the relay - there are 2, just left of centre, below the windscreen. It's the right hand one. Wiggled it about a bit and that worked. However, I realise I need to look into it further. I imagine where it sits is not great, as water could easily drip onto it, especially if the bonnet is raised when it's been raining. Plus the rubber seal that runs along where the rear of the bonnet sits - is pretty weathered / perished / bubbled etc.

I'll take it off, clean the spade connections up with wire wool, check the earthing and see from there.

I did notice a thread from a few years back and the guy seemed to have trouble getting a new one if that is necessary.

The configuration of the wiring, an especially the position and number of the relays, really differs over the years. Haynes manual has a diagram for 1969 then a separate one for 1970. My car was registered in May 1970 but I've seen photos showing relays along the tops of the inner wings - not on mine...

Cheers for any advice

[arcturus]

Make sure the headlight units have a good earth. I agree, the relays are in a bad position. You could move them or fasten a shield of some sorts over them. The rubber seal is easly sourced but you will probably find that thelip to which they attached will be coroded.

[Billy Smalls]

Originally Posted by arcturus

Make sure the headlight units have a good earth. I agree, the relays are in a bad position. You could move them or fasten a shield of some sorts over them. The rubber seal is easly sourced but you will probably find that thelip to which they attached will be coroded.

Hi, yeah the lip is corroded - not too bad though. I'm going to set aside a few days in late spring to tackle various surface rust areas. It'll need some welding at some point, but ultimately it's my daily work horse.

Can you direct me to a new rubber seal.

Think I'll fabricate a plastic or rubber shield to go over the relays.

So was it on later cars that they were run along the inner wing? and more of them judging by some pictures I've seen - to cope with overdrives etc. ?????

Cheers

[arcturus]

Try Brookhouse parts first. If no joy
http://www.websitefolder.net/VPAUTOP...61&iPageID=709
Price in Swedish Krona. (take off the last digit)

[Billy Smalls]

Originally Posted by arcturus

Try Brookhouse parts first. If no joy
http://www.websitefolder.net/VPAUTOP...61&iPageID=709
Price in Swedish Krona. (take off the last digit)

Fantastic! cheers arcturus!! glad you have to take the last digit off - I nearly fell off my cahir when i saw 158!!

cheers

[Billy Smalls]

that VP site is great....gives me alot more confidence that i'll be able to keep my 144 on the road for years to come

going back to the relay - I'm going to clean and sort mine out but if it does need replacing do you reckon it's this one.

Calls it a...Relay 140/164/200, Price: 364.00 (VAT inc), Product ID: 1307991

and a picture below

cheers

[arcturus]

I think that if you shop around you will probably be able to source one locally and for less money and hastle. It's probably a "Bosch"