Hi all,

I'll try most things mechanical if I have the right equipment, but I must admit electronics/electrics scare me half to death.

On the way to a great little car show to meet Tom (Hobbler) I had to briefly use the wipers, however, when I flicked the switch the wipers stayed put and the headlight's dashboard lights came on (green light and blue high beam). The headlights themselves do not switch on, just the dash lights.

Any ideas what I need to look for? The car's electrics have been fine for the 4 and a half years of my ownership, so this is new territory for me.

I've quickly eye-balled around the balk head, traced a few wires here and there, and can't see any loose wires behind the switch/into the wiper motor.

Pete145 said:

however, when I flicked the switch the wipers stayed put and the headlights came on (on high beam)

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Update. The headlight and high beam dashboard lights (green and blue respectively) in the instrument cluster (it’s a Lusso) do come on when I flick the wiper switch, but the actual headlights do not come on.

Also, the switch that used to illuminate the dashboard backlight does the same (doesn’t turn the dash backlight on anymore, causes the blue and green dash lights to come on, but doesn’t actually switch the headlights on).

And, just to add to the riddle, I’ve also noticed that the wiper switch now turns on the dashboard backlight!!

Very, very odd!

If anyone can help with this one I’d be very grateful!!!

Pete145 said:

Update. The headlight and high beam dashboard lights (green and blue respectively) in the instrument cluster (it’s a Lusso) do come on when I flick the wiper switch, but the actual headlights do not come on.

Also, the switch that used to illuminate the dashboard backlight does the same (doesn’t turn the dash backlight on anymore, causes the blue and green dash lights to come on, but doesn’t actually switch the headlights on).

And, just to add to the riddle, I’ve also noticed that the wiper switch now turns on the dashboard backlight!!

Very, very odd!

If anyone can help with this one I’d be very grateful!!!

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Hi Pete, try checking the earth return points on the bodywork and check and lubricate every single switch with some electric conductivity/cleaner spray. You may find that the column switch is dirty. Give the switches good squirt and exercise them a few times. If you have no luck you will have to trace the fault wire by wire
Ian.

I had almost exactly the same issue after doing some work on the speedo.. The issue was the earth connection from the indicator relay by the front bonnet hinge (so as Ian suggests) which I had knocked...a quick rub with sandpaper and reattaching to ensure a good connection to the bodywork and all was OK again.

Can't guarantee that is your issue but I share it just in case.

perfect diagnoses it seems. An earth wire has severed. Will fix this later, but 99% sure it’s the source of the problem!

Pete145 said:

View attachment 200396 perfect diagnoses it seems. An earth wire has severed. Will fix this later, but 99% sure it’s the source of the problem!

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It shouldn’t be up there Pete, as Andrew says it should be attached to the nut that bolts the flasher unit to the chassis. Otherwise you’re likely to suffer the problem again with all the bonnet opening and closing. Plus you’ll get a much better earth.
Tony

Vitesse said:

It shouldn’t be up there Pete, as Andrew says it should be attached to the nut that bolts the flasher unit to the chassis. Otherwise you’re likely to suffer the problem again with all the bonnet opening and closing. Plus you’ll get a much better earth.
Tony

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Thanks, Tony. Will rectify and relocate this evening.

Pete

Vitesse said:

It should be attached to the nut that bolts the flasher unit to the chassis.

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The issue has been rectified, in that I've managed to re-connect the wire, but I haven't relocated them yet. I certainly need to, as you can see the wires bending as the bonnet is closed, so it's no wonder that one of them sheered/snapped.

Silly question, but where exactly is the relay switch for the indicators located? I may be being dumb here (happens often) but I've eye-balled the balk-head and can't see it!

Pete145 said:

The issue has been rectified, in that I've managed to re-connect the wire, but I haven't relocated them yet. I certainly need to, as you can see the wires bending as the bonnet is closed, so it's no wonder that one of them sheered/snapped.

Silly question, but where exactly is the relay switch for the indicators located? I may be being dumb here (happens often) but I've eye-balled the balk-head and can't see it!

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It’s directly below where you currently have the wires attached to the bonnet lid. See picture below, it’s the little silver cylinder by the heater hose. You can see the black wire you are dealing with in front of it.

Vitesse said:

It’s directly below where you currently have the wires attached to the bonnet lid. See picture below, it’s the little silver cylinder by the heater hose. You can see the black wire you are dealing with in front of it.

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Mine looks very different, and is bolted to the strut in the centre. Relocated the wires there though, as they no longer get folder by, or are stretched by, the action of the hinge.

Thanks all, issue resolved!

I ran separate earths from all lights, relays , horn, fuel gauge etc to a common point at the front and rear of the car... it worked well