IanMc Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Hi all, I have a problem with the front lights on my Cav Coupe. Basically nothing works - no side lights, no dip beam and no main beam... (The back lights are absolutely fine though). But strangely when the light switch is turned to either position 1 or 2, the main beam indicator light glows - please see below photos: I suspect that something behind the dash is wrong - I had to take this out to do the speedo cable. Any ideas please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Remember reading something years ago, the earth on the rear lights affected fronts. There is also two earths up front? If they are clean, i would beg borrow or steal a light switch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Does the Cav have the loom plugging into the back of the dash? The A series does and if i ever had the dash out to do the speedo cable it would work the socket loose and i would loose some things until it was pushed back in properly, might not be related but as you had the dash out it was just a thought? Did they work before the speedo cable change? Andy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanMc Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 34 minutes ago, 611 said: Does the Cav have the loom plugging into the back of the dash? The A series does and if i ever had the dash out to do the speedo cable it would work the socket loose and i would loose some things until it was pushed back in properly, might not be related but as you had the dash out it was just a thought? Did they work before the speedo cable change? Andy Thanks Andy, good suggestion. Yes, they did work before the speedo cable was fitted. 42 minutes ago, ®evo03 said: Remember reading something years ago, the earth on the rear lights affected fronts. There is also two earths up front? If they are clean, i would beg borrow or steal a light switch. Thanks evo, I will try cleaning them all and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Just now, IanMc said: Thanks Andy, good suggestion. Yes, they did work before the speedo cable was fitted. Sounds like it could be dash related, lot of stuff going on behind there 🙂 Would the switched have moved and maybe become lose? Mine use to work but the light on the switch would not work until i wiggled it about and pushed it in a bit and then it would all be fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanMc Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 Thanks again Andy, much appreciated. It does feel like an earthing type problem, just because it’s such a weird thing to happen. I think I might start by making up a jumper cable and connecting each earth point/connection back to the battery negative terminal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanMc Posted August 8, 2019 Author Share Posted August 8, 2019 Good morning everyone. I am pleased to advise that I now know doe sure what the problem is. Late last night I pulled the dash out again to check if everyone was connected and secure (it was). Naturally I did the obligatory wiggling of everything, but this didnt affect anything. So on that basis, I discounted any loose or failed onnections on the back of the instruments. Next I turned the light switch to position II and took a jump lead and connected one end to the battery negative strap bolt head. I used the other end to touch the top inner wing headlight earths on both sides - nothing from either... I then removed the plastic bulb covers and touched the bulb holders - both sides in turn immediately lit up. So this is most definitely an earthing problem. I think it fair to assume that perhaps some paint has gone down the earth screw holes behind the lamps and stopping a good earth connection from being achieved. Hopefully that wont take too long to sort out - oh yeah and of course to put the instruments back in AGAIN 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 the spade connector to the metal holder inside the headlight are usually a poor connection but this only runs the sidelights. sounds more like you need to clean the inner wing earth and possibly replace or check carefully the lug.i would go for a nut and bolt with serrated washer to get a perfect connection. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanMc Posted August 8, 2019 Author Share Posted August 8, 2019 Thanks Chris, much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanMc Posted August 8, 2019 Author Share Posted August 8, 2019 All sorted - the front lights are back in action. As mentioned this morning, a simple clean of the earths on both inner wings was all that was required. Happy days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 Good to hear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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