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High Beams

D

DougF

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Last fall, the high beams on the TR6 went dead. Main beams work perfectly fine. The switch tests out good. I cleaned and put anti-corrosive on all the connections and grounds.
The only thing I can think of and haven't checked is that both beams burned out simultaneously. But I can't believe that could happen twice in one lifetime.
Before I run to the store for new bulbs, can anyone think of anything that I have overlooked?
Since state inspecton is around the corner, I guess it's importance has climbed on the do list.
 
Doug-

I had a similar experience on my TR4 - in my case it was one headlight only misbehaving. I'm not sure if the wiring is the same but here goes: I pulled the headlights and checked voltages at the headlight plugs - no problem with either, they seemed identical, but still no high beams. I actually tracked it down to a poor connection in the harness itself - some corrosion evidently had built up in the connector near the front valance (connecting the lights to the main harness. Cleaned it up and things were fine. Difficult to track down because voltage checks okay, but the corrosion causes enough resistance so you wind up not pulling enough amps through the lights.

May be your problem, maybe not... Good luck!
Randy
 
Just posted my other note, but of course, had I read your note better, you apparently have already covered the connections pretty well.. hmm - still think a voltmeter is a tough way to diagnose though.
Randy
 
I've been avoiding pulling the repro trim rings. They are about three sizes too small and are a real pig to deal with.
Wouldn't even make good frisbees. Good example of buying what you can get and getting what you pay for. The only connections I didn't touch in the front end are the lamp plugs. Your comment made me think of that.
Thanks Randy.
 
Dude,

Sounds like wiring or ground. I know you've already checked.

I'd jumper the lamps themselves @ the connectors with direct current from the battery by passing main wiring (at the pigtails behind the valance) see if both beams work. There should be three wires at each headlamp. Do one lamp at a time. This will tell you if the lamps work w/o removing the headlights.

Just be careful how you handle the bare ends of the jumper around bare metal.

T.
 
It turned out to be a bad butt connector. The back side was not making a good connection.
Open connections like these are what give Lucas a bad name. They must cause 95% of our electrical problems.
 
I soldered all my bullet connectors before I pluged them in. That way they are quite rigid and I can periodically pull them aloose, spin them a bit and reinsert them. (Almost sounds sexual) That way any corrosion gets broken up and the connectors keep a good solid circuit. I also lube them with some dielectric grease to keep moisture out.

OCD people are good at things like this. Not so much the sex thing though.....


Bill
 
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