MOT fail

[GHill]

Thanks Bud English

I didn't know they had rubbers, thanks. At the moment it has the rubber part for when the lights are closed but not when the lights are open!

Something else to add to the shopping list.

Cheers
Gareth

[GHill]

So I assembled the lights again so that I wouldn't lose any bits etc and the light beams sit much higher - however I have now noticed that the drivers side is significantly duller than the passenger side. I'm thinking it's another dodgy earth especially as the side lights are also dull! what do you all think?

Cheers
Gareth

[PeterK]

Almost certainly earth related. To check - is the light dull on both main and dip beam ? If yes, then earth, if not, then feed.
Worth pulling all of the bullet connectors apart and giving them a rough up with emery or sandpaper while you're playing.
Peter

[GHill]

Thanks PeterK

Yes it's the same on the full beam, some more electric work for me then!

Cheers
Gareth

[elansprint71]

Might be that the bulb itself has a hi-res earth connection, due to corrosion; check this first!

[ricarbo]

I had to sort out a problem of one dim headlight recently and the problem was quite interesting. If one light has no earth at all, it can still work (poorly), because the lamps are double filament and some current can still flow via the good light. It is easier to understand this if you make a sketch of the circuit with both lights.
However, the test is simple - disconnect the 3 pin connector from the 'good' lamp only. If the 'poor' light now stops working completely, that proves it.
regards
Richard

[GHill]

Thanks Chaps, will give this a go and report back.

Cheers
Gareth

[jeff jackson]

Hi Gareth,
By the look of the photo your sidelight is a bit dim too. My money is on a bad earth here. A previous suggestion was to remove the bullet connections to the lights and clean them with abrasive paper. You could also dip them in malt vinegar, (Don't laugh) Not only does vinegar remove rust, but will clean up electrical connections beautifully.
Only downside is that you should leave any items immersed for about a week.
I cleaned up the indicator assembly on my son's 1966 Hillman Minx using vinegar. The result was amazing. I would not have believed it had I not tried it for myself.
Hope it helps
Jeff 72+2

[GHill]

Hi Jeff

Thanks for the tip will give it a go - plus gives me an excuse to buy some chips! My grandparents used to clean coins with brown HP sauce.

Cheers
Gareth

[GHill]

Hi All

As an update I have also replaced the alternator adjuster bracket today (it broke in Germany when I drove it back from Prague). Didn't fit first time and required me to drill the hole a bit bigger.

Old

New

Also took the bonnet off so I can start the work on all of the earths, certainly gives a lot more space!

Engine

Cheers
Gareth

[GHill]

Hi All

An update from me!

Took the car back today, the result = PASS

Woohoo, the best bit - only one advisory - can you guess what for - that's right, the handbrake - that things a bugger - next winters job I think, a complete overhaul!

Thanks for the advice all!

Cheers
Gareth

[KevJ+2]

Well done Gareth, you've put a lot of hard work in and one advisory on the handbrake is as good as it gets.
Congrats,
Kev.

[billwill]

I find I have to adjust the handbrakes, just before any MOT. Screwing in the adjuster until you can barely get a feeler guage between pads and disc.

That's why you need a coil spring to push the pads apart again and also need to gently bend out the pad lifter prong thingys any time you have the hand brakes apart.

[Tournesol]

Congratulations and well earned after the hard work!

Looking forward to a +2 convoy at some stage soon

Tournesol.