Morris Minor Owners Club

Martha has a poorly eye! The left side headlamp is dim. Just dim. Took off both the lights this morning & swapped them over, same problem, so it's definately not the bulb (which I was hoping it would be!). All the other lights & indicators work, so it's obviously a 'lectrical problem. Any ideas? And suggestions for how to fix?? (in slow person speak please! sometimes, as much as I really do appreciate all the help, you go a bit too fast for me I'm a very new to cars person!!!)

sounds like a 'bad earth' as it is known.

the lights *should* earth onto a lug on the inner wing inside the engine bay. this is meant to be a piece of metal that is bolted to the inner wing with both ends rolled up (so it looks like a comical moustache from end on - see picture)
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into each loop there should be a 'bullet' connector, both with black wires attached, this is where the lights for that side of the car 'earth' to complete their circuit. i would try to find which wire routes back to the headlight, and failing that, disconnect both bullets and make sure they are clean, and preferably shiny! failing that, the bolt that bolts the moustache to the inner wing could not be earthing well to the inner wing, but in that case all the lights on that side would be malfunctioning.

clean up the bullets with a bit of fine sandpaper, or a nail emery board thing!

Lovely! Will investigate more tomorrow! I appreciate the picture too!

So for me, instructions with comical picutres are much appreciated

The reason that the headlights are dim is as said there is a fault with the earth and the current is trying to earth through the other filament of the bulb so that both filaments are glowing. Also check the wires into the back of the headlight

Woohoo!! Thank you! Martha now has 2 working eyes

The 'bullet' connector was filthy, as was the 'moustache' thingy! gave them both a bit of a clean & the headlamp is working perfectly now

Spray the connectors with WD40 from time to time.