Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Just trying to piece together any missing parts.....
I have a headlamp switch which is a valve bit. Something screws on the end of this value where a rod shoots out which is presumably an electrical switch but I haven't got this bit.
Can anyone post a picture so I can hopefully source the part

Thanks
Terry

Terry, I was looking around prior to replying and found this thread:

elan-f14/rocker-switch-for-headlights-t15992.html

Is your's like in the pictures in the thread? If so, it appears to be the same as in my '69 Federal Plus 2. If both systems are indeed the same, I have the current p/n's for the two micro-switches (if you need them) and a few wiring sketches somewhere.

http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/Search ... 062%7C3%7C

If you are missing the triangular shaped mounting plates for the micro switches you may have to make something up. Note the headlamps run thru relays on this system; full power for the lamps does not go thru the micro switches.

Always reluctant to assume the Elan is the same as the Plus 2; perhaps others can confirm details for you. I had always understood the headlamp electrical switches in the Elan's were actuated directly by the pod position, so think I am learning something new if the Federal Elan is the same as the Federal Plus 2.

PS Check out your side light circuit. Are they actuated by a spring loaded rocker switch (push top for off, push bottom for on, self centers to a neutral position) located next to the headlight vacuum switch? Wondering if the same as mine, which is also Federal only and runs off of the micro switches noted above. It can be a bit tricky to understand; I have made up a diagram that might help explain it.

HTH

Stu
Thanks so much, info is perfect!
I have one micro switch in the misc(?) box but no small triangular piece. Also I too have the switch with only two positions so just working the side lights.

Thanks again
Terry

Stu
Is it possible that you could post your little diagram. What is the other micro switch for? or is it just to balance the mechanism

Thanks
Terry

You bet Terry. I posted a PowerPoint diagram here. The second slide has a few notes on how it works.

elan-plus-f13/side-lights-t17589.html

Both switches are required. One microswitch triggers the headlamp relays to ground (Brown/Red and Black wires in my Plus 2 in stock form I think). The other microswitch is used in the side light circuit as shown in the diagram (Blue wires in my Plus 2 in stock form I think). The reason I say 'I think' is I changed the circuit somewhat when I re-wired my car; I got the microswitches to trigger the headlight relays on the hot side through the column dip switch.

If you can't follow all the details feel free to ask; I found it quite confusing when I did my re-wire. No guarantee your wire colours are identical, but should get you started.

HTH

Thanks Stu, the only thing is , I have the side lights on a standard two position rocker switch??
Could this be Elan rather than +2?

Terry

Hi Terry

Do you have the left foot operated high/low beam switch? I can't answer questions without detail. Some folk have converted to the stalk on the column and moved the directional to the left side of the column. I can't see what you have and you don't know what it is supposed to be. I did a diagram of the back of an S4 with wire positions on the rocker switches here (may have been for 45/8221 or 7004090078E, I don't remember which, it was a few years ago.

(edit) Looks like the rocker switch diagam is from the RHD Coupe 7004090078E
elan-photos-f18/helpful-wiring-diagrams-hope-for-some-least-t19238.html

other are better at saying what they are looking at then me but in 40 years sometimes things get changed. 50/2164 had those micro switches and they were a bitch, I didn't do the restoration so I don't remember if Bill got them working or not.

Info with pictures gives me and others a chance to answer question with some certainty that we are giving you something that you can use verses something that may send you on a goose chase.

Gary

Gary
No beam switch on the floor , just the steering column
I haven't any pictures as most of the wiring and one micro switch is missing. Before Stu pointed me in the right direction I thought that the one micro switch I had throw in the car was a rouge part!
All I am trying to do at this stage is to determine what parts are required. Any that are required from the US will have to be bought in one go, that's the plan anyway. I have a long list for the UK suppliers .....and I thought I bought a "complete" car

Thanks for your help.

Terry

What I am saying is 45/8221 didn't have those bitching micro-switches just the rocker lamp switch with Off Parking lamp and headlamp positions and the floor switch for the high/low. The 70 RHD coupe had the same rocker switch and the column switch for the High/low beams. The micro-switch does not sound correct to me.

That page is from the March 70 parts manual. the other is what Dave Bean offers, this is 10 + years old, these switches are not available now but I use for reference. Get a parts book, you are going to need one, get a camera, you are going to need that too when you start to take thing apart. Help us Help you is the best way I can put this, it will get quiet if you ask more questions that need questions to give an answer.

ps - start looking for the 2 holes on the floor next to the clutch pedal for where the high beam switch was mounted (if it was there to begin with. seriously you need to give more info to get answers, Cars were modded here, do you have one that has been? I don't know, all I have to go by is a unit number with no history. You are going to learn a lot or you will have bitten off more than you can chew.

Gary

terryp wrote:Thanks Stu, the only thing is , I have the side lights on a standard two position rocker switch??
Could this be Elan rather than +2?

Terry

Check out your side light circuit. Are they actuated by a spring loaded rocker switch (push top for off, push bottom for on, self centers to a neutral position) located next to the headlight vacuum switch?

Hmm... Yes, as I expected they appear to be different Plus 2 to Elan. The Plus 2 Federal side light switch is a self centering momentary contact affair. From the dash side it actuates like the window lift switch, but it is electrically different. Described in my PowerPoint notes. As you do not have this type of switch in your dash I expect your circuit is completely different. Sorry for any confusion. Interesting Gary's switch list with illustrations from Dave Bean says they fit the Federal Plus 2, which appears to be an error for my car and the Federal Plus 2 wiring diagram.

Cheers