Possible headlight electrical problem?

[martinbrowning]

Hi there,
I have recently "completed" my collection of Lotus cars with the arrival of a late '72 Elan Sprint, but am unsure as to whether I have an electrical problem or not:
If I switch on the sidelights only, and raise the headlamp pods, the headlights flash continuously. Once I then select headlights (second position of the rocker switch) then the flashing stops and either dipped or main beam operates correctly.

Is this the norm or do I have a problem?

Thanks

Martin B

[oldelanman]

Hi Martin,
That's normal. The lights should flash when raised with the switch in both the OFF and SIDELAMP positions. It's so you can flash other cars without having to switch on the headlamps - although in reality the other car will be long gone by the time the pods raise anyway

[Quart Meg Miles]

It was a crazy idea and probably illegal! I disconnected my flasher soon after acquisition in the '60s.

If you do want the option of flashing people quickly then, on the 26 series anyway, you can remove the piece of wood inside the dip beam switch to free-up a third OFF position (UP). Then you can raise the headlamps and turn the lamp switch ON without the lamps being lit until you flick the lever down to MAINBEAM or DIP.

On my own car I use that position to run the lamps at half voltage (filaments in series) for use in well lit towns without draining the battery as much as on DIP.

[martinbrowning]

Many thanks for both replies; I agree, seems to be a strange, almost unworkable system. But at least it's doing what it was designed to do! If I want a challenging electrical problem then I turn to my classic Alfa Spider - dodgy Italian electrics can really drive you nuts!!!