Spitfire Headlamp poser - 71 Spitfire rebuild

[Dono]

Hi,
I cannot get the high beams to come on. Good continuity from the main sw, thru the column mounted dimmer on both low & high beams. The red/blue and wh/blue wires have continuity to the lamp plug. I've tested the lamp, and both low & high work fine. They are new head lamps. Summary - low beam works, high does not. Any ideas are welcome.
Thanks, Don L. Missoula, MT

 

[TR3driver]

Don, "continuity" frequently includes a resistance too high to pass enough current to light the bulb. I would go back with it hot, and use a test lamp or voltmeter to find out where the voltage is missing.

On my Stag, it was the dimmer switch on the column, but it could be anywhere.

 

[Andrew Mace]

I'd also thoroughly check and clean the ground (black wire) connections to the headlamps; that's a somewhat common "failure" point on that era of Spitfire in particular. Check especially the connections from the main harness where it connect to the headlamp subharnesses (usually up in the bonnet or in that general area in the front of the car).

 

[Dono]

Hi Randall,
I of course, appreciate all responses, but I believe you correct. Even though the col sw passes a current, it appears failed. In checking, the failed high beam sw acts as a resistor, and only micro-voltage passes.

Thanks for saving the head-banging frustration. Don