Defender lights & wipers not working

[Sisu9]

New to Defenders and have just bought a 2003 TD5. The headlights and wipers don't work.

Lights: The switch works because the sidelights come on and it can't be the bulbs because the flash function works. Checked fuses under the dash and under the seat and all seem to be fine. The earth also seems to be connected in the bulkhead.

Wipers: The switch works because the washer liquid pumps out but nothing else. As above with fuses, earth, etc.

Any ideas? Could it be a relay? Not sure how to check those as electrics are not my strong point.

Thanks for any help in advance.

Edited by Sisu9 on Saturday 21st August 08:13

[Bill]

Main and dipped beam have different elements in the same bulb, so new bulb is most likely. That said some Defenders had sealed units...

[Jazzy Jag]

If that Flash lights up the headlights but main beam doesn't work with just headlights on, I'd go for the switch.
The first question has to be , do you have 12v at the lamps when on?

If you have, then it's a lamp or earth problem.
If not, it's a wire, switch, feed issue.
Do you have 12v coming out of the switch?

[camel_landy]

Ha... Defender electrics.

FWIW - A lot of the problems are caused by poor/corroding earth connections.

Also, don't make assumptions, test it (eg your comment about the wiper switch).

Good luck.

M

[Sisu9]

Is there only one earth point on the bulkhead for the lights & wipers?

Both switches are getting power as sidelights function on one stalk and washer functions on the other. I will remove the cowl and have a close look at eh the switches. The cowl is loose, with one screw missing, so maybe someone has already had a go.

[camel_landy]

Sisu9 said:

Is there only one earth point on the bulkhead for the lights & wipers?

Part of the problem is that it's assumed the body/chassis/gearbox/engine all become one common earthing point. Over time, the combination of corrosion, greasy fingers, etc... means the continuity is lost and problems creep in.

M

[anonymous-user]

I'd always check the earthing first (on any car). My MINI had a similar problem with the wipers fixed by the simple expedient of making a new earth wire to the motor and attaching to a convenient chassis point.

I can't imagine Defender era Land Rovers had sealed beam headlights, even my Series IIA has the ones with a separate bulb now, simply because I couldn't obtain the older type anywhere. Mine had headlights from an old Mini for a number of years which were the same size and shape.

[Bill]

Newarch said:

I can't imagine Defender era Land Rovers had sealed beam headlights

My 300Tdi did, as I discovered in Tunisia when one went and the bulbs I'd brought along were useless.