• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

TR4/4A Interesting Lucas lighting issue???

clanofwolves

Freshman Member
Offline
My TR4's lighting was working great all summer. One night recently, as my wife and I left a pub, I noticed the headlights were not burning although the lighting switch was pulled full out. Also, the high beam indicator was illuminated; activating the high/low foot switch would not change the illuminated high beam indicator. Frustrated, I turned the lights off and on as I pressed the high/low indicator as I looked for a lit lot to pull over into and investigate the issue (figuring it may "clean" a connection in the crazed process). After about 40 seconds of switch manipulation -prior to pulling off the road- the headlamps came on in high beam and would switch to low beam and the corresponding indicator would also correctly turn off. Although it may be a conscience, one headlamp was not illuminated when dim. I have since cleaned the terminals of wire connections to the switches, but again, I cannot get the headlamps to work. I'm searching my Haynes manual and checking everything I can.....any ideas out there?? Thanks in advance guys!
 

Mink

Jedi Trainee
Country flag
Offline
Your dimmer switch is probably bad or has broken/dirty connections. You can try bypassing it by connecting the solid blue wire to the blue wire with the red stripe and see if your low beams work.
 

Geo Hahn

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
My TR4's lighting was working great all summer. One night recently, as my wife and I left a pub, I noticed the headlights were not burning although the lighting switch was pulled full out. Also, the high beam indicator was illuminated...

I have had the same thing happen -- it was a poor ground connection (that double-bullet clip near the headlamps).

Basically, if the ground connection fails the lamps do not light and the circuit 'finds' a ground backwards via the gauge indicator lamp.

Clean and tighten those clips and you may see the light.

Also - you might consider adding relays to your headlamps - esp if they are higher power than the originals. If you wonder why... some evening after the lights have been on awhile feel the back of the switch. Makes a convenient hand warmer!

PS: Welcome to the Forum
 

Mickey Richaud

Moderator
Staff member
Gold
Country flag
Online
X2 on the ground connections.

And welcome to the BCF!

:cheers:
Mickey
 
OP
C

clanofwolves

Freshman Member
Offline
I have had the same thing happen -- it was a poor ground connection (that double-bullet clip near the headlamps).

Basically, if the ground connection fails the lamps do not light and the circuit 'finds' a ground backwards via the gauge indicator lamp.

Clean and tighten those clips and you may see the light.

Also - you might consider adding relays to your headlamps - esp if they are higher power than the originals. If you wonder why... some evening after the lights have been on awhile feel the back of the switch. Makes a convenient hand warmer!

PS: Welcome to the Forum

Thanks so much! I cleaned, lightly sanded, and dielectric greased every connection between the switches and the lights; all is well now! However, I cannot see an easy way to dismantle and clean the interior of the floor high/low beam switch; ideas??

"A proper gentleman doesn't motor about after dark" - Mr. Lucas
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
JPSmit Interesting experience yesterday Restoration & Tools 2
JPSmit Interesting Hagerty Article Spridgets 12
AngliaGT Some Interesting Cars Other Cars 10
AngliaGT Interesting Article on the V12 Jaguar 0
Sherlock Another cruise night, more interesting British iron Spotted 2
AngliaGT A Few Interesting Vehicles Spotted 32
red57 Interesting BN1 for sale in Bellingham, WA Austin Healey 4
B After bead blasting the body I noticed some interesting things… Spridgets 2
JPSmit Interesting bit of trivia tonight Other British Cars 0
JPSmit Interesting back story Other British Cars 0
Healey Nut Interesting car for sale in the UK . Austin Healey 1
PAUL161 T-Series Interesting Speedometer Scenario MG 5
Healey Nut Interesting but expensive Austin Healey 3
JPSmit Interesting project - and a twist on the hardtop. Restoration & Tools 12
nevets Interesting article about BaT Austin Healey 1
nevets interesting article about converting classic cars to electric power Austin Healey 7
Got_All_4 TR4/4A Interesting Tranny problem Triumph 9
lbcspinners Interesting Jalopnik article on BEING TOUGH ON TODAY'S ROADS !! Austin Healey 7
HealeyRick MGA Interesting MGA Fastback MG 9
JPSmit Interesting video - cast bakelite knobs Restoration & Tools 2
S Well, this should be interesting..... Other Cars 9
AngliaGT A Few Interesting Cars Yesterday Spotted 0
sd80mac7204 TR6 Interesting TR6 running issue Triumph 19
CJD General Tech Interesting UTube vids Triumph 5
Rob Glasgow Interesting Art Work Austin Healey 2
JPSmit Interesting tools as gifts Restoration & Tools 1
Michael Oritt Interesting audio alternative Austin Healey 2
apbos Interesting dual cylinder Bugeye setup Spridgets 6
Rut Interesting non Spridget Spridgets 3
S Interesting book Spridgets 10
JPSmit Interesting Custom for sale Spridgets 13
JPSmit Tesla - but that's not what was interesting Other Cars 2
MikeAH100M Interesting Oil Cooler Austin Healey 6
steveg Very interesting very long blog posting - racing oil and zinc Austin Healey 44
M General TR Interesting Triumph 4
Geo Hahn TR6 Interesting TR6 on OC Craigslist Triumph 12
nevets interesting piece in the NYT about collector car non-restoration Austin Healey 5
JPSmit Cruise Night tonight - not pretty but interesting Other Cars 8
JPSmit What was on the trailers was most interesting today Spotted 2
JPSmit Interesting what people modify Other Cars 3
AN5Sprite Interesting Midget For Sale. Spridgets 5
Healey Nut Interesting find Austin Healey 1
W Interesting wheel...especially interesting photos Spridgets 3
CLEAH Interesting Early Sprite Spridgets 6
pkmh Interesting little jack stand discovery, "Drednaut" Austin Healey 0
HealeyRick Interesting 100 Coupe Austin Healey 13
B Interesting car on Craigslist [Sabra] Other British Cars 9
60TR3A TR2/3/3A Interesting TR3 on eBay Triumph 5
SilentUnicorn Interesting Ad British Motorbikes 1
angelfj1 Interesting Document Found Triumph 8

Similar threads

Top