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Bouncing Headlights

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RJS
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Bouncing Headlights

Postby RJS » 12 Nov 2014 02:32

I just rebuilt my headlight switch, and when I turn them on, the headlights go up and down (and up and down and up and down etc...).

I would guess that it is sending power to the circuit that sends the headlights up, but it is also sending power to the circuit to send the headlights down.

Can someone explain what I have done to the switch that messed this up?

Thanks,
Rob

Hasbeen
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Postby Hasbeen » 12 Nov 2014 03:49

Did you touch any other part of the system?

I have always found a new problem, after just doing a job, usually had something to do with what I had just done. I would look to see if any of the connections at the back of the switch are poor, or looking like there was some arcing.

However the 8 had a similar problem with only one light, the near side. It would cycle up & down when switched off. My son found that running the wheels off into the pot holes on the side of the road would stop the cycling, but he then had to drive home without lights.

As his abilities developed he found that by shaking the bunch of headlight wires in the front corner of the engine bay on that side, he could achieve the same result.

He did ultimately find that cleaning the connectors there with contact cleaner did the same job, & lasted a little longer than shaking.

I doubt he has progressed much since then, as the 8 is not used much at night, & it is too far away for me to look at it.

However, it does appear faulty electrical connections can precipitate such problems, & as yours is occurring in both lights, I would assume it to be located in an area where the wiring is common to both circuits.

I doubt you did much wrong, it was Triumph/Lucas using cheap metal that is at the probable root of your trouble.

I would suggest you start by making sure all contacts are good. This requires more than free of corrosion, as contacts that look clean may not be. Use heaps of contact cleaner, & rub stuff a lot with something like sandpaper or pipe cleaners where necessary, washing with contact cleaner again before assembly. Oh & do remember you are having fun.

Hasbeen

RJS
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Postby RJS » 12 Nov 2014 13:41

I think I figured it out.

There are two brass pieces inside the switch rocks back and forth as you flip the switch. It looks like I bent the left brass piece slightly so three points are making a connection instead of two.

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