Headlight problems

Mike_Brace · Jun 26th, 2006, 21:10

Recently I have had problems with the headlights on my GLT. Initially the rhs headlight went dim with an obvious earthing problem as it was putting on my spots which are wired via a relay to main beam. The cause was the earth terminal on the lamp had fried itself. Easily cured by cutting the connector off a scrap car. Today I had the same problem with the other side - fortunately it only takes a few minutes to fix. The car has done 280,000 miles and I do drive with the headlamps on dip at all times. I can only presume the problem is caused by poor contact onto the bulb causing the connector to overheat. Hope it is now cured.

Mike

Alec Dawe · Jun 27th, 2006, 07:33

Perhaps caused by the earth terminals running close to their current limit all the time? Hence only needs a little bit of extra resistance from a bit of dirt/corrosion build up to make the terminal start to run hot. Once that starts, you're on a downward spiral as the heat take the springyness out of the metal, so loosens the connection, so makes the resistance higher, so runs hotter, etc, etc!

I think I'll go clean up all my headlamp contacts today! Can't do any harm, and might help long term!

Jun 26th, 2006, 21:10	#1
Mike_Brace Former contributor Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2022 07:54 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rhosgoch, Anglesey	Headlight problems Recently I have had problems with the headlights on my GLT. Initially the rhs headlight went dim with an obvious earthing problem as it was putting on my spots which are wired via a relay to main beam. The cause was the earth terminal on the lamp had fried itself. Easily cured by cutting the connector off a scrap car. Today I had the same problem with the other side - fortunately it only takes a few minutes to fix. The car has done 280,000 miles and I do drive with the headlamps on dip at all times. I can only presume the problem is caused by poor contact onto the bulb causing the connector to overheat. Hope it is now cured. Mike __________________ A Volvo is for life not just for Christmas!

Jun 27th, 2006, 07:33	#2
Alec Dawe Former Support Team Last Online: Jan 26th, 2024 11:26 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nr Norwich	Perhaps caused by the earth terminals running close to their current limit all the time? Hence only needs a little bit of extra resistance from a bit of dirt/corrosion build up to make the terminal start to run hot. Once that starts, you're on a downward spiral as the heat take the springyness out of the metal, so loosens the connection, so makes the resistance higher, so runs hotter, etc, etc! I think I'll go clean up all my headlamp contacts today! Can't do any harm, and might help long term! __________________ Alec. (My other car is a WD 2-10-0)

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