Page 1 of 1

#1 Help me understand headlight operation

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2015 12:52 am
by Tbob
I will preface my questions with two points in my defense:

1. My car is TOTALLY apart, and has been so since I got it. I have no prior frame of reference vis-a-vis a "complete" car.
2. I think part of my misunderstanding on this topic is due to different terms and idioms in American-British languages. SO....

I think these terms correlate. Correct me if I'm wrong:

> main beams = high beams or bright lights
> dipped beams = low beams or dimmed lights
> dipper switch. Switches on the high (main) beams, and at the same time switches off the low (dipped) beams, and vice versa. It is NOT a momentary function. This is the switch in the green circle in my picture. This switch is mounted WHERE?
> headlamp flash switch. Flashes the bright lights while the low beams are on, as a signal. This IS a momentary function. I think this switch is activated by pulling the turn signal lever toward me and releasing. This is the switch in the blue circle in my picture.

I think once I understand the terms and the physical locations of these items it'll be clearer.

My turn signal stalk does not have a push-for-high/pull-for-low positions as do many cars; only the "flash' (pull) portion. Where is this switch? (See my bold type question above).

Could someone kindly step me through where these these switches are and how they work? :oops: Thanks for your patience!



Image

#2

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2015 2:37 am
by chrisvine
Bob,

You're correct in your descriptions of the operation of the headlights. The manual switch between beam and dipped head lights is the toggle switch next to the speedometer:

Image

The flashing of the main beam is via the indicator stalk as you mention. There's a post in the upgrade section for adding a headlight relay which is well worth considering if your car is completely dismantled.

#3

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2015 3:02 am
by Tbob
Excellent! Simply knowing that there is in fact another switch clears it up. I kept looking at the center dash for a switch, did not look on the gauge pod.

I am planning on wiring upgrades to support higher current headlights - it was the reason for my research.


Thank you, thank you!

Regards,
Bob t