Failed mot on nearside headlight

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Bryce
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Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by Bryce »

So I have made a bit of a whoopsie, meant to be going away on Friday and didn't realise mot was past due.

Just had it back and it's been failed on headlamp not working on main beam nearside front. I did check them the other day!

So after picking it up the headlights work but the nearside is dimmer when dipped but OK on normal, it completely cuts out on high beam. Can anyone point me in the right direction for what I'm looking for the garage seemed to think might be a earth problem?

It's the old round style headlights if that helps

Only got tomorrow to get it done and put in for retest
So nay help would be much appreciated!

Cheers
1987 1.6td hightop

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Aidan
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by Aidan »

earth crowns are above the fusebox below the nearside a pillar will need a clean up of crown and terminals that plug into them and reconnect, contact cleaner maybe helpful; but do the same at the lamps first in case it's the bulb end

Bryce
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by Bryce »

Thanks! Will get the contact cleaner out tonight and see what I can do
I'm happy that's all that's wrong with the van to be honest!
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Bryce
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by Bryce »

So just cleaned the contacts on the bulb end and same issue.

Image

Then on full it seems fine
Image

But goes totally off when turn on high beams.
So looking at the crown as you suggested, first is this them?
Image

And what's the best way to access them? I can never seem to get the glove box handle off without bending one the arms to a bum clenching degree.

Would it be best to disconnect and clean all or am I looking for a specific wire for that headlight?

Thanks for the help!
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Aidan
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by Aidan »

clean them all; unfortunately all earth wires are brown there is no way of knowing which is which without extensive continuity testing and several of them are two wires crimped into one connection
the brown stain on THE A pillar is rusty water stain, most vans leak a little around the windscreen and it runs onto the earth crowns and or wicks or evaporates and condenses on them and the wires, the permanent -12V potential makes the effect worse

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Robsey
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by Robsey »

The nearest crown looks quite empty.

The farthest crown looks quite mucky.

Ideally, you should disconnect the battery.
Then disconnect and clean every female spade connector.
Unscrew the crowns from the wing, and clean them too.
Refit the clean crowns,
and then refit all the cleaned earth wires.
You may want to smear them in vaseline to keep the moisture and air out.

Chances are that all the earth wires will be in various states of decay, dirt and corrosion. So you should do them all whilst you are in there
Last edited by Robsey on 27 Oct 2021, 19:00, edited 1 time in total.
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maxstu
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by maxstu »

This happened to an old camper of mine. Check bulb connector wiring. The three wires. One had come adrift through corrosion.
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Bryce
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by Bryce »

I tried to half a*** it by spraying contact cleaner on a toothbrush and scrubbing at the crowns and now the light has gone out completely!

At least I know where the problem should be so looks like a long night with the hope of getting re tested tomorrow otherwise trip cancelled.

Thanks for all the help and will update after doing the job the right way ha.

Found it funny that the garage that failed it had no interest in trying to diagnose the problem and just told me I had 10 days to get sorted!
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Robsey
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by Robsey »

Bryce wrote: 27 Oct 2021, 19:09 I tried to half a*** it by spraying contact cleaner on a toothbrush and scrubbing at the crowns and now the light has gone out completely!

You may have dislodged the wire from the crown, or snapped it from it's spade connector when scrubbing it with the toothbrush.
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished

Bryce
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by Bryce »

So quick update, have removed and cleaned crowns and cleaned the spade connections as best I could. Had to replace one connection as it was shot.

Image

The light still won't work at all so went back to the bulb connection and have found the small sidelight bulb? Seems to have blown, would this stop the whole lamp working? Are replacement bulbs readily available from hardware places?

Image
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Bryce
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by Bryce »

Sorry should of googled before I asked, it seems I can replacements at Halfords but is sold as motorbike light. I assume this would be alright to use to pass re test?

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maxstu
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by maxstu »

Why not take bulbs out of good side and put in bad side. Then it will tell you if it is wiring or bulbs
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Bryce
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by Bryce »

maxstu wrote: 27 Oct 2021, 20:56 Why not take bulbs out of good side and put in bad side. Then it will tell you if it is wiring or bulbs

Can't believe I didn't think of this, just swapped the whole headlight from the good side and it's working fine so must be bulbs in the non working side.

Thanks so much for pointing this out hopefully get the bulbs and retest tomorrow ready for trip on Friday!

Think I will bankrupt myself if ever make it to meet up with the amount of beers I will have to buy people!

Cheers
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Bryce
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by Bryce »

Also shame on me for not checking the most obvious thing first...
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maxstu
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Re: Failed mot on nearside headlight

Post by maxstu »

:ok
Still reckon its a duff wire in the bulb connector.
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1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
"Blissfully happy in your presence".

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