Help! Headlights not working!

[JT71]

Hi, i'm new to caterham ownership (1 week) and after a few days of enjoying the new car in a big way (1990 SPR 1700 crossflow), the headlights are no longer working! The dashboard lights go on after 1 click then turn off with the second click for the headlights, and nothing from the headlights at all. The only sign that something was going wrong was earlier in the week when the dashboard lights were flashing off and on with the engine idling, but fine with the engine turned off! Apart from checking the fuses (which i'll do when i get home) are there any other obvious thingsi can check and rectify?

Thanks in advance, seriously keen to get it back on the road again ASAP!

[anonymous-user]

Try the replacing the headlight switch, main beam switch or headlight relay. They cost mere pence and are one more thing eliminated from the diagnosis.

[chris_speed]

Bad earth?

Dodgy alternator?

[pikeyboy]

I'd be putting a DVM across the switch to see if that's working prperly. If it is'nt then bridge the switch with a wire to test. Replace the switch with a new one. If the switch is working start tracking the wire to the next connection point ann put the DVM across it.

Doubt its the alternator, could be a bad earth a lot of older car problems are. More than likely a corroded feed connection. Have you checked the fuse box is live on the lighting circuit fuse connections.

[anonymous-user]

The dash lighting is fed from the same fuse as the near-side side lights IIRC. If they flicker too it's probably a loose fuse. They are, basically, st at staying put.