ARRGH - Headlamp flash! - Not working and MOT in the morning!!

Z

zebedee37

New Member
Full beam works fine - but the lights do not "flash" when the column switch is "pulled".

Have taken steering wheel off etc - the switch WORKS on all functions (on electrical test)- yet the headlights will not flash!

Help - Ideas - anything!!!

PLEASE
 
Hi Fenton

Oh Dear - things like that always choose the worst possible moments don't they!

As Blueman says - check the fuses! Assuming its an S2 with the fuse box under the shin bin (as opposed to in the engine bay like an S1) also have a very careful look at the state of the fuse box terminals, fuse holders and incoming and outgoing cables. The S2 fusebox is notorious for overheating and generating poor connections onto otherwise OK fuses. There's no simple fix apart from renewing the fusebox (!!) - preferably with something more modern - so its time for a good old fashioned bit of innovative bodging if you do have problem!

Best of Luck

Chris
 
A 3500S I used to own did something similar. The lights would only flash with a fairly firm pull of the stalk. Tried pulling it towards you that little bit more?

It could be down to dirty or worn contacts at the base of the stalk.
 
I think you'll find it's not a test requirement to have a headlamp flasher. If I remember correctly,(and with any luck there's a tester that can confirm this) the only requirement is that the headlamps work on both dip and main beam through the use of a single switch.
 
Alas - it is generally tested over here in Belgium. I shall spend the evening wiggling wirers etc in the fuse box area!

If that doesnt work - then arriving just before closing time might result in a "rapid" test that mght miss out the "flash" element!!

Thankyou for help. I shall let you know if I get away with it!

:;):
 
Just setting off to the station now! - It was indeed the fuse box!! (so I didnt need to swap switches and take off the steering wheel!!!!)

Hoping the fuse box co-operates for the few minutes the headlamps are under test!
 
Ahhh, if it's the one furthest from the feed pipe (I think that makes it the left one looking from the back of the car), then it may be the flexible link pipe has rotted inside and is blocked.

Try bleeding that caliper first and see if any fluid comes out.
 
If it was the flexi hose it will make it less efficient, but it will also make the brake slow to release after you take your foot off the pedal. I've had this exact fault loads of times, it can happen with either caliper (or both) and although I can't be certain without seeing the car, you can do a brake test and get the readings you got, and if you do the right thing, put the car back on the tester 30 seconds later and get a reading easily high enough to pass the test. Unfortunately this doesn't cure the problem, only the symptom, but it does allow you to get the test, then repair at your leisure.
 
On the headlamp flash front, I had the same problem but in reverse. Flash would work, but no main beam. I traced the fault to a broken wire up to the switch. this is when I noticed that there are 2 Blue/White wires (I think) going into the back of the switch to the contacts. For a quick fix, rather than dismantling all the dash to get to the wiring loom, I simply soldered a link wire across from the flash terminal to the main beam terminal. Problem solved! And it hasn't played up again in about a year and a half :;):
 
Just to finish off - Took the car to a garage today - left caliper taken off and the main piston was stuck. (caliper was fitted with new seals only a month or so ago - so probably hasnt been working since - you dont really notice when one back brake isnt working - till the MOT test anyway!).
 
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