Topic

As it's coming up to MOT time, I 've been checking the car over and mostly it seems OK.

The bottom damper bushes that I 'improved' are still as good as new. Woohoo!

The exhaust is new-Daytona with quad pipes. Again woohoo!

Tyres are OK.

Brakes are good- All new discs and calipers recently.

All bushes and ball joints seem good, suspension nipples greased.

Wipers are working, blades are good.:bye:

Lights.
Sidelights are fine indicators are fine, but there has been a recurring problem with the headlights. Sometimes all 4 bulbs are fine, sometimes only 1 dip works, sometimes only 1 main works. Annoying!

So, when I checked, the problem is the poor quality of the electrical connectors to each bulb. Remove the plastic cover and tap or wiggle the connection and oh! it's working again.:shake:

Now I've tried various times to crimp the connectors so they're a bit better but, after a while I start to lose the odd headlamp again.

I finally got round to snipping off the original plug connectors and replaced them with some decent spade connectors.
When I examined the old connectors I could see that two out of the four displayed evidence of arcing and the plastic shroud had melted. Arcing across the poor connection causes a lot of heat and can damage the bulb as well as the connectors, and even cause a fire.:devil:

So if you have intermittent headlamp problems, this could be the cause.Take a close look at those connectors!
I'll put up a photo of one of the damaged connectors tomorrow.

Thanks for the info mate... Might save someone alot of heartache..

OK, here are a couple of pictures comparing a damaged connector with a good one.


You can see how the plastic shroud has melted due to the loose connector causing an electric arc.

Thanks for the info

I don't have a problem at the moment, but I'll be keeping this in mind.

Connectors are always a weak point in any electrical circuit, especially if they are exposed to outside conditions and vibration.

Any of this can cause corrosion, oxide layer and arcing, which in themselves will cause a resistance and heat.

Thanks for the warning - anyone know of any way to prevent it from happening?

Tigger;16369 wrote: wrote:

Thanks for the warning - anyone know of any way to prevent it from happening?

Do what I did - replace the connectors with decent spade connectors. It won't guarantee no problems, but the originals are pretty poor quality.

Good post - well worth checking:)

Tigger;16369 wrote: wrote:

Thanks for the warning - anyone know of any way to prevent it from happening?

You can make sure the connectors are clean and fit well, apply a contact grease to prevent corrosion. Also, don't use lamps other than the recommended type and wattage.

David Aiketgate;16372 wrote: wrote:

Do what I did - replace the connectors with decent spade connectors. It won't guarantee no problems, but the originals are pretty poor quality.

Probably better to use the correct connectors. http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=headlamp+connectors&_sacat=See-All-Categories

I had a simmilar problem with the power connections for temprature monitoring systems on refrigerated vehicles, because the connections were under the bonnett they corroded quickly ~ i put a smear of silicone grease or conductive grease on the blades and the problem was solved. hope this helps.