Headlight Flash Light

[Tobias13]

Hey all,

So some time ago the back light on the instrument panel (blue light) when on full beam stopped working, along with being able to use the flash function.

I guess first would be to get a new bulb, which I did but they were either the wrong size or I was too scared to play with he delicate circuit paper, I forget now.

Does this sound like a common issue?

I know the info is a bit miss but I have the dash out at the moment so is a good opportunity while i'm back there.

thanks

tobe

[CovKid]

Easier to wire in a 12v LED powered by full beam circuit.

[Tobias13]

Just managed to get to the bulb, a tiny little thing with two small wire prongs, very small, unlike all the other bulbs in the panel!!

Covkid

Thanks for the reply mate, could you expand a little please, use words for a child??

On the upside, the dash is back in with new blower and I actually enjoyed it, so thanks for ya advice on other threads!!

One "cock" up though, I forgot to put the coolant pipe clips back on so if I cant reach underneath with jubilee type clips it's coming back out!!

[CovKid]

I usually get moaned at for giving too much detail, but essentially you just tap into the main beam circuit so when you're on full, power also goes to LED. You could do this at the fusebox or light switch. A multimeter will help you pinpoint what you can use. You also have space above the brake light indicator on dash to drill a small hole to accept the LED. I guess you could get in there and replace the bulb but its quite a strip down and far easier and quicker to just wire in a new LED one, and it doesn't have to be blue by the way. All thats required is a visible indicator that you're on full beam. That should explain it. If I were to expand further, my evening would be gone. Hope it helps.

[organicmatter]

I managed to swap mine to LED thanks to CovKid's advice.
On a side note I was able to flash main beam even with the bulb blown.

[Tobias13]

thanks guys much appreciated!!

I actually have the unit in bits now, cant believe how small it is, the bulb!!

are they available anywhere, while it out.

I do like the idea of the led though, means I get to learn something new again!!

[lloydy]

they sell them here, out of stock at the moment though
https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/bulb-mainb ... l?___SID=U" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[organicmatter]

I called brickwerks about these they no longer are able to source them.
A 12 volt white 3mm led from maplins glued into existing blue cap might work
Or get a 5mm 12v blue one from eBay which will slot straight in I dulled mine down with a squirt of black paint as was a bit bright.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/191558008304" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; went in easy with resistor on the top bent wire may have struggled with the resistor on the lower wire.
I had a thread about this search tell tale light. Can't work out how to post link in tapatalk

[Smiffo]

I managed to swap mine to LED thanks to CovKid's advice.
On a side note I was able to flash main beam even with the bulb blown.

To the OP - note the comment above that full beam should still work even with dash bulb blown.
I would test the bulb personally. It could be that something else is the issue i.e. switch on steering column or something similar is at fault, and not the bulb?

[CovKid]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Maq5IyHSuc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Tobias13]

I managed to swap mine to LED thanks to CovKid's advice.
On a side note I was able to flash main beam even with the bulb blown.

To the OP - note the comment above that full beam should still work even with dash bulb blown.
I would test the bulb personally. It could be that something else is the issue i.e. switch on steering column or something similar is at fault, and not the bulb?

Foll beam works, just can't flash the lights!!

I called brickwerks about these they no longer are able to source them.
A 12 volt white 3mm led from maplins glued into existing blue cap might work
Or get a 5mm 12v blue one from eBay witch will slot straight in I dulled mine down with a squirt of black paint as was a bit bright.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/191558008304" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; went in easy with resistor on the top bent wire may have struggled with the resistor on the lower wire.
I had a thread about this search tell tale light. Can work out how to post link in tapatalk

Thanks I'll give it a whirl!,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Maq5IyHSuc

Great link, I love learning about maintaining these beautiful vans!!!

[Smiffo]

Foll beam works, just can't flash the lights!!

Sorry - I read the original post as full beam flash not working too, so my reply was based on that
Oddly enough though, mine can't just `flash` either. To flash someone, I have to switch on full beam by pulling the stalk - basically turn on full beam - then pull the stalk again to turn them off.

No idea if this is normal operation though as it's the only T25 I have owned, so would be interesting to know if this is a new phenomena for you..?

Either way, that symptom ( if it is a new development for you ) won't be anything to do with the ribbon or blue bulb in the dash....
( Unless I am reading this thread all wrong )

To me, resolving the bulb fault in the dash will only leave you where I am - turning on full beam to flash, and then turning them off again - albeit with a working blue bulb in your dash....
( But as I mention, all T25's might be like that anyway? Mine certainly is, others will have to advise if that is normal.)

[CovKid]

I'd suspect the headlight switch. I've seen it before where one has partially failed resulting in 'no flashy' at stalk but functions otherwise. Also clean the connectors on the earth crown and possibly unseat and reseat all your relays.

[Tobias13]

well, what a fun Sunday morning I had, I now know what all ^^^^^^^^^^^means, ish.

Firstly, 'Covkid', thanks for that video link, apart from the missus calling me allsorts of sad for watching all 38 min's with a cup of tea in bed, I actually found it very informative and I learnt a hell of a lot because of that video and the activities that followed yesterday morning.

I also ordered the LED with resistor as suggested by 'organic matter' so thanks to you also!! (how did you get that in there?)

Ok so I already the instrument panel removed and circuit board 75% removed, that all I needed for access. I checked the condition of the existing LED and they were corroded so I replaced them also, then came to replace the actual blue flash light, this is actually a filament bulb so I had to used the led with resistor, but I could not get it in, the resistor fouled the seating of it and actually snapped the small wire when trying to get it in. I was then testing other LED in the holder to see how they performed and I could not get anything to work, seemed my problem was getting worse. after many circuit tests with the multi meter and bench tests on the bulb it seemed the bulb was working and there was no power being delivered to the board.

Loose wire into the fuse box!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could not believe it, talk about finding out the hard way.

Anyway, I'm not that sorry because the information I have I learnt from you guys and actually having go has been awesome, so for that I thank you all.

schoolboy error, always check for loose cables/wire first!!

[CovKid]

As long as you can wire the led in, somewhere along its track, it will work. The alternative is to wire it on same circuit as full beam direct from fusebox (mine is wired like that now). Well done for getting stuck in though. The more familiar you get with dash, the easier it is in the long run. The filament bulb just has a blue plastic cap over it by the way. You could replace bulb with narrower blue LED into that cap but it doesn't actually matter where the light is as long as you can see it.