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Well I have got my MOT later and its chucking it down with rain.[:(]
I have popped up the headlights and they are really dim. A candle would be brighter. They will have to investigate this at the garage as I won't have any time, I am assuming that it will be an earth unless anyone has any other ideas.[?]
Calvin



1978 TR7V8 FHC
1962 Herald Coupe 1200
1989 Peugeot 205 xs
2003 Peugeot 206 GTI
2009 VW Passat

Apart from checking the earths and connectors in the engine bay, if they are original sealed beam units they only have a few candle power. Changing to a halogen conversion (as Wipac Quadoptic etc) is easy and not expensive and makes a big difference.

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1 (now passed to son for his family car)
Saab 9000 2.3 FPT Auto (now gone that others might live)
Saab 9000 2.3 LPT Auto (sold on, wish I had it back)
Saab 9-5 2.3 Vector Auto Estate
'81 TR7 DHC

Thanks Alan, that is what they suggested although there is a pattern when tested so the car has passed it's test.
Is it necessary to fit relays and the like?




1978 TR7V8 FHC
1962 Herald Coupe 1200
1989 Peugeot 205 xs
2003 Peugeot 206 GTI
2009 VW Passat

Check all your lighting earths and power connections. The standard lights are plenty bright, not much difference from the Super Night Hawk halogens in the Integra if they are getting full voltage and amperage from the battery/charging system. I have a set of halogens and relays but haven't put them in yet as it's not high on the priority list as they wouldn't be much brighter.

If you compared them side by side no doubt they would be brighter but not that much difference when "compared" from one night in one car to another night in another car. Mind you beside having the light connections cleaned and greased I do have the heavier duty alternator that came with the A/C cars so don't know how much difference that makes.

- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

You don't need any relays - halogens don't use any more current (in fact slightly less) - unless of course you are going for illegal 'high wattage' bulbs! If both lights are dim - on both full and dip beam - there is definitely a bad earth problem. BTW - I MOT my car at the end of the Summer - when everything has been working as it should all summer long - and then I don't have any 'panics' in the Spring when I want the car on the road! And yes - first time round it was an MOT just 4 months after the one before - but well worth it from a lack of stress point of view!

I beg to differ. You do need relays for the lights as the standard switch gear isn't up to the job of running, even the standard lights.
The other advantage of fitting relays is the lights are a bit brighter due to less voltage drop as the current suffers less resistance from a more direct path from the battery to the lights.
Surely if you're going to the trouble of upgrading to halogens you may as well make the most of them!
I just don't see why so many people resist the idea of using realys

"Keep calm, relax, focus on the problem & PULL THE BLOODY TRIGGER"

80'Triumph TR7, 73'Land Rover (Ford 351. V8),
'89 Ford Fairlane
'98 MG-F, 69'Ford F250.

Hi,

Have to agree with Cobber, whilst not strictly necessary, I guess most of our headlight switches if stripped would show signs of pitting and burning, this would certainly cause a drop in voltage and therefore performance. A job to do on mine at some point for certain, wiring a relay into the circuit is not exactly hard and will certainly save your switch, it will be switching milli amps instead of amps, especially if wired in to switch the earth of the relay !

Cheers John


LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!

1976 Speke FHC Beauty Now with an overdrive conversion

1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6, BUILT NOT BROUGHT !!!!

Most relays draw 150ma max. to turn on, so even using the live feed from the switch to energise the relay will draw minimal current through the switch.
I fitted an 85amp alternator, semi-sealed beams with 100w halogen bulbs supplied by relays for both high and low beams, 25amp cable from the relay to the lights, and the car is now safe to drive at night, provided it's not raining as the wipers are not really up to the job.

TR7 Convertible
Sprint Motor
MegaSquirt EFI