Section : Electrical Equipment

Full Beam not working 

Posted By : Christopher How, 14-Jun-2004, 11:04am

Hello all.

I was driving a rather tasy young lady home from the pub the other day (me on the lemonade of course), when we got out into the countryside, i went to put my full beam on.
I was expecting everything to be lit up nicely, instead I was surrounded by blackness, and a slight wimpering from the lady next to me

Anyway, on closer inspection, i realised when the full beam is flashed, the main headlights stay on (and are supposed to stay on), but when full beam is switched permanently on, the main lights go out.

I've checked the fuses and all the connections to the sealed units and found nothing. The blue 'beam' light on the dash also does not come on.

I suspect the switch to be faulty, but have no idea what i'm looking for.
Can anyone give me a clue?

Chris How

78' Spitfire 1500

• Full Beam not working 

  Posted By : James Carruthers, 14-Jun-2004, 11:37am

  Chris,
  
  
  Take off the cowelling (plastic thing - 2 screws) off the steering column - and check that the copper parts of the switch arent tarnished.
  
  If they are, rub them down a bit with some sand paper.
  
  
  James
  

  • Full Beam not working 

    Posted By : Andy Vowell, 14-Jun-2004, 01:09pm

    On my Mk3 there are a load of connectors on the underside of the steering column that get disturbed/loose/tarnished. I've have many a time of being left in darkness as you describe, but a quick wave under the dash/column area brought the lights back up.
    
    I'm not sure if a 1500 has the same but would be worth checking
    
    Andy

    • Full Beam not working 

      Posted By : Christopher How, 14-Jun-2004, 01:31pm

      I've taken the shroud off before and couldn't see any switches, they seem to all be enclosed and from reading the Haynes manual, it looks like the actual switches are within the casing, to get to them the wheel needs to be removed.
      Anyone with a 1500 confirm this??
      
      Also, is the switch the same for both flash and permanent full beam? it seems odd that both of these would go at the same time.
      
      Cheers

      • Full Beam not working 

        Posted By : Michael Davis, 15-Jun-2004, 10:56am

        On my 1500 with the plastic cover removed, the switch contacts are visible. I have a late 1500 with the TR7 switchgear. The early (pre 1976-ish) cars may be different.

        • Full Beam not working 

          Posted By : Christopher How, 15-Jun-2004, 05:14pm

          Yep, checked all the fuses and i've still got the horn!
          err. . . i mean, the horn, lighter, courtesy lights all work.
          I changed the fuse anyway, not because i'm dilligent (spelling?) but because i'm a fat finger'd oaf and shattered the fuse while turning it round to check it.
          
          I guess there's nothing to do except take the shroud off now and have a look for myself.
          
          Cheers for your input, might need your help again when i still cant figure out what's wrong.
          Could it be an earth contact somewhere else perhaps??

          • Full Beam not working 

            Posted By : Paul Bodiam, 15-Jun-2004, 05:27pm

            Hi Christopher
            
            It's unlikely to be an earthing problem. The main beam is earthed through the bulb mounting, same as for the dipped beam.
            
            If all other functions on this fused circuit are working correctly, then it has got to be the switch or connectors in the steering column. When you get the cover off, trace the purple wire (this is the feed to the main beam switch) and the blue/white wire (this goes from the switch to the main beams and also to the blue warning light).
            
            regards
            Paul
            

      • Full Beam not working 

        Posted By : Paul Bodiam, 15-Jun-2004, 03:55pm

        Hi Christopher
        
        Yes, you can access the switch contact in a '78 Spitfire by simply removing the plastic cover from the steering column, but to actually remove the switch, you do have to take the steering wheel of as well.
        
        Have you checked the fuses? The main beam and dipped beam are fed from different circuits. The main beam is on the same circuit as the horn, hazard lights, cigar lighter, footwell courtesy lights, and boot light. These are all fed from the same fuse. If any of therse functions are still working, then suspect the switch contacts. If all of these functions are dead, then suspect the fuses.
        
        hope this helps
        regards
        Paul