Kenworth77 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Hi,i wonder if anyone could give me some advice on a headlight problem i have.The headlights work ok on my TR7,(1977 model),in the respect that they raise and stay lit,however there is an intermittent problem whereby there is a clicking at the relay,and this results in the headlight blinking,and sometimes the whole headlight pod moving a few centimetres every click.I bought a new relay for the headlights and it still done it.I then tried disconnecting the black plugs just behind the lights under the bonnet,gave them a clean and put them back in again,it was then better for a short while but started doing it again.I then disconnected the plugs and sprayed them with electrical contact spray,and again it was better for a while,but it started happening again.One day it was so bad,it was clicking furiously,then the left headlight stayed up when it should've went down,and when i flashed someone it was popping up and down.I sprayed it again,and for a while it was better,but it keeps happening.Sometimes it's ok until i indicate,and that brings it on,and sometimes,bizzarely,it's when i brake,although i've no idea if the brakes and headlights are liked in some way.Can anyone help please.Thanks,Kenny. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR8IAN Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Hi Kenny, Ah the age old wedge headlight problems! If you do a search on any of the websites it is a very common issue. Firstly you have started on the right track - but carry on clean all the plugs (Red ones in particular)behind the headlights in the bonnet area, good & clean and then cover them with WD 40 for starters. Then start on the earth points - where the black wires are bolted to the body (in the same area as above) a really good clean and put it back with some Vaseline or similar. Then clean up the master light switch on the dashboard, its not difficult to get it out ( worth having a spare one as these are known to play up Triumph put all the amps through the thing which is not good!) This will cover a great deal of the cars sins and hopefully will do the trick. And the obvious statement - do not try doing anything the headlight mechanisms with the power attached - they will run and not stop until they have your fingers for breakfast!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kenworth77 Posted January 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Thanks Ian,i'll try that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AnthonyF Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Kenny, Good advice there from Ian, it will be an earth problem. The headlight motor run/stop action is controlled through a limit switch in the headlight motor but the relays (one for each side) in the fuse box area are the more likely culprit for you I think - the relays start & stop the pod motors. Check/clean the earths for these, as well as the earths in the engine bay behind the each pod. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kenworth77 Posted February 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Thanks Anthony,i'll try that too.Cheers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
clymout Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 (edited) I had a similar problem with only the near side light! It was a lot slower than the offside one until it stopped popping up. This wasn't a switch problem or ground issue. It was the red plug in the engine bay, I did make a note of the wiring from the workhop manual as the headlight didn't come either. The red plug (cleaned) sorted the headlight out and I had switched over the running relays in glove box etc and the fault never came back?? It is still slower but only raises >0.5 sec slower! imo. Possible corroded connection on relay tab?? It didn't look too bad though. The speed I guess is down to the motors' electrical properties.. They can't all have been matched to the cars for perfect symmetry eh! Edited March 7, 2015 by clymout Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kenworth77 Posted March 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2015 Thanks clymout,i'll hopefully get to the bottom of it yet! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
clymout Posted March 8, 2015 Report Share Posted March 8, 2015 I hope you do, but I agree with the above posts regarding ground problems. If you have a dodgy ground connection it will become apparent once the circuit is under load, ie operating. Keep us posted on your progree pls Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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