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280i headlight help

tr7andtvr

Jedi Hopeful
Offline
I have owned my 280i for two years now, and I have never had functioning headlight motors. I am finishing up a engine swap (ford v8) and have decided to get these headlights working while I am in the process. I get alternating power from the two individual plugs, I get nothing from the 3-pronged plug (I am not sure what it is suppose to do). Also my dim lights are out for some reason, always have been. The motors have been taken out and bench tested to a ground and a positive and spin well. The motors didn't do anything until I took them out and tinkered with them, I don't think tht there are any issues with the motors, I think it is in the switching.

Any suggestions?
 
I'm going to copy this in The Pub, it will get way more exposure there, and there are people who know this sort of thing. My two cents' worth is that the motors have a dodgy ground on the car.
 
Steve listed my first point to look once electical items are found to be good. Check your grounds, then check the rest of your wires.
 
All the relays seem ok.... I switched them arond with ones that I know work that have other functions. I have no idea about the ground.... Where is it located? I have 5 wires in there, 2 stand alone and one or the other is HOT on each side. Then I have a cluster of 3 that I dont get anything out of. Does anyone know by color what each wire does?
 
What are the chance the TVR uses the same wiring harnesses the Wedges do?
If you want them PM me with your e mail and I'll send them to you
 
I got my “85” 280i about 2 years ago and the headlights have never moved electrically, they always have mechanically. Once removed and hooked up to a +/- they spin fine. My assumption is that ½ of a revolution is up and ½ a revolution is down.


On the LEFT side:
(2) White and Purple in a single plug that give a + when lights are ON
(2) White and Yellows in a single plug that give a + when lights are OFF

Triple Plug:
Black (QUESTIONAL GROUND)
Purple and Blue (NOTHING)
Purple and Red that give a + when lights are ON BRIGHT

On the RIGHT side:
(1) White and Purple in a single plug that give a + when lights are ON
(1) White and Yellows in a single plug that give a + when lights are OFF

Triple Plug:
Black (QUESTIONAL GROUND)
Blue and White (NOTHING)
Blue and Red that give a + when lights are ON BRIGHT

Any ideas on what’s wrong?
 
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