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TR4/4A Interesting Lucas lighting issue???

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clanofwolves

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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!
 
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.
 
clanofwolves said:
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...
Click to expand...

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
 
X2 on the ground connections.

And welcome to the BCF!

:cheers:
Mickey
 
Geo Hahn said:
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
Click to expand...

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
 
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