Headlight

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:02 pm

Was told by my dear wife that the fullbeam was not working correctly, so I checked out the faulty driver side bulb, bulb fine, apart from being a 80 watt bulb that I am told is illegal. The problem is the 3 pin adapter that the bulb connects to, it has melted on one side and that is why the bulb is erratically working. I have replaced both the front headlights for correct wattage bulbs, but wonder what has caused the problem????? Pippin will know

p.s. have ordered a replacement adapter from unifit, will I be o.k. connecting with a block connector?

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:16 pm

The problem has probably occured from using a higher wattage bulb than is recommended pete,the higher wattage means a higher resitance also.

What's the story with the 3 pin adaptor? I assume you don't mean the original block that plugs onto the headlight bulb?

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:18 pm

That is the fellow

I hope to be able to repair tomorrow

them bulbs haxve been in since we got the bongo, so running 3 years before any problems, they have got through 3 m.o.t's too

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:45 pm

I see pete, so they have held up pretty well all things considered....

I guess you are chopping off the old plug,then connecting the replacement?

I'd suggest soldering and heat shrinking the new contacts pete,scotch block them as a temporary measure,i'm thinking of long term reliability here pete.

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:50 pm

Sound advice, I will dig out the soldering iron

Thanks Ste

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:54 pm

No probs pete, hope it goes ok for ya... Just don't do my classic trick of forgetting to slip the heatshrink over the wire BEFORE the soldering is done!

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:55 pm

A higher wattage wil have LESS resistance therefore more current. It's the current which the connector/wires can't handle.

Unless the connectors/wires are up to it all you can succeed in doing is have a slightly brighter lamp and lovely hot wires

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:07 pm

dandywarhol wrote:A higher wattage wil have LESS resistance therefore more current.

Of course,i knew it was something like that....

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:14 pm

Thanks guys, will remember the heatshrink

Both bulbs replaced so hope the wires keep their cool, just like me after drinking my valentine wine

missfixit70 · Post by **missfixit70** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:23 pm

If the bulb was working erratically & the fitting melted I would guess that the connector had a dodgy connection, maybe oxidised, creating heat as it arcs across like a welder. Happened to a relay under the dash on my old 2.8 4x4 sierra, was smoking nicely, about to catch fire, just because of an oxidised connection

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:27 pm

You are quite correct

Obvious signs of arcing and oxidation on the connector I will be replacing

dp bradford · Post by **dp bradford** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:32 pm

Peg leg Pete wrote:....will remember the heatshrink....

I think we've all been there at some time

Some years ago, I remember soldering every connection in a 25 way D connector (old style parallel computer interconnect) and then realising the die-cast cover should have been slipped into place first

Dave

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:35 pm

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:51 pm

I fit a new bulb holder, had to fit with connector block, I was working outside and my poor little soldering iron could not generate enough heat to melt the solder

So all wrapped up in gaffer tape, till the weather warms up a little

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:07 am

Just keep an eye on it pete,the tape should do just fine for the time being, i know hat you mean with the cold finger thing,i helped to fit two flushed fogs into dabs' bongo today, and my thumbs have just thawed out!