Head Light Problems

[Team Elise]

Hi there,

I am having some problems with my headlights on my Series 1 elise.

Sometimes when I turn the lights on the driver's side light remains the same as when the side lights are on and at the same time one of the driving lamps comes on. I guess that it is a wiring fault. The question is does anyone know how to fix it without having to take it back to Lotus?

[cuzza]

Team Elise said:

Hi there, I am having some problems with my headlights on my Series 1 elise. Sometimes when I turn the lights on the driver's side light remains the same as when the side lights are on and at the same time one of the driving lamps comes on. I guess that it is a wiring fault. The question is does anyone know how to fix it without having to take it back to Lotus?

So, when trying to use dipped headlights you get:

Drivers side - a side light and a driving light

Passenger side - a dipped headlight

Right?

First thing I'd do is check the bulb hasn't gone.

[Team Elise]

Thanks for the response. I don't think the bulb has gone because it works sometimes.

I am not sure if I made it clear but when the problem occurs the driver's side spot light comes on as well.

[jig]

Funny lighting problems like this are usually caused by poor earthing. With the Lotus being plastic, you are relying on cable runs for the earth instead of the bodywork.. so I'd get my multimeter out and test the resistance of the cables from battery to bulb and see what's looking a bit high.

[M100]

Check the earth connection at the chassis - follow the thick black wire from battery to where it is bolted to chassis and then check the thin wires connected to that point.

Also check the front wiring harness connector (located between the main fusebox and the screen) you are looking for problems on the black wires

[GKP]

I reckon it'll simpler than that. Pull the plug off the back of the errant headlight, give it (and the terminals on the bulb) a clean and try it again.