High beam issue

[Christophski]

Hey guys

Wondering if anyone can advise...

Just been out in the car and cos its dark had the headlights on. Went to switch to high beam and they won't flick on and the blue light on the dash wouldn't come on either. Tried loads of times and maybe twice it came on but then wouldn't the rest. Is this likely to be a relay? If so which one? Or is it likely to be a wiring issue?.... Any advice would be greatfully recieved.

Cheers in advance
Chris

[newsh]

IIRC When this happened in my 100TQ it was one of the pins in the stalk connector that had over heated and gone black, a good clean up with some 1000 grade wet and dry and switchcleaner sorted it.

[Christophski]

Cool cheers John. So just pop the plastic cowling off and can get to it easily enough?

[newsh]

yep, worth a look.

[Christophski]

Cool cheers boss. Will look tomorrow and hope it fixes it will report back and if it doesn't work will look for the next step

[newsh]

I'm pretty sure that the headlights are not relayed, just the switch stalks, fuses and the bulbs. circuit diags are here http://www.s2central.net/S2_Schematics

[Christophski]

Hope a quick clean up solves it then as it will be a pita if not by the sounds of it lol

[LSG]

I had this happen to me on my 2.3 e 10 valve coupe. but i only had hi beam. when i got to looking at it it turned out to be the light stalk that had burnt and melted.New part and happy days. Good luck

[Toph]

Hi guys, just a lurker, but figured I'd mention that the reason this happens is likely due to the fact that the headlights are not relayed. The whole current draw from the lamps passes through the switch. As they get old the column switches may not make a good connection, which will create carbon buildup and heat. My stalk connector half-melted in my old t44, and I am relaying my headlights on my Coupe for this reason. There is info available on the procedure, a search should get you results. Hope this helps,

Toph

[Christophski]

Hey guys think I have fixed it. It worked every now and them like I said and it worked to flash with so I was hoping it just needed a clean up.

I took the steering cowl off and squirted in some contact cleaner and gave a good old wiggle about for quite a while then squirted in more cleaner and repeated the wiggling. Did this about 4 times and it seems to now be working. Will be keeping my eyes open for a replacement stalk so if anyone has one they want to part with then please let me know so I have back up should this happen again.

Thanks to all who gave some ideas to me and once again John for the idea of trying to clean it first. This isn't the first time your advice has fixed my car lol!