Headlight only works on high beam

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gatsby989
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Headlight only works on high beam

Post by gatsby989 »

I have a LHD car (should that matter), and the right side headlight has gone out. However, if I push the dip switch to turn the brights on, both headlights work (on bright). But if I hit the switch again, both lights go out completely. The high beam warning light in the speedo works. It appears I have sealed beam units. Are there separate filaments for the regular beam and brights? Is it possible the regular beam filament has gone, but not the filament for the brights? But why would this cause both lights to go out when I hit the switch again? Bad switch? Bad connections?

Any help appreciated. :D
1959 Morris Minor 1000 - As of yet unnamed besides "little white car."
katy
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Re: Headlight only works on high beam

Post by katy »

Are there separate filaments for the regular beam and brights?
Yes
Is it possible the regular beam filament has gone, but not the filament for the brights?
Yes
Bad switch?
Possible
Bad connections?
Possible
Talk slow, think fast!
kennatt
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Re: Headlight only works on high beam

Post by kennatt »

pull the bullet connections on the wiring down by the front of the inner wings inside the engine bay,chances are that it is one of these they corrode and cause all sorts of problems,pull them out and push them back together a few times It/s normally the black earth one that is prone to it and then the lights try to earth though the other filaments.But could also be a failed seal beam unit,if you look closly at the filaments you can sometimes see that it has broken.
minor65
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Re: Headlight only works on high beam

Post by minor65 »

Probably a faulty/broken headlamp filament, if so new sealed beam needed. Now unavailable new from parts supplier. But can still be got if you search ebay for 7 inch sealed beam unit.

chesney
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Re: Headlight only works on high beam

Post by chesney »

Try the earths first. Easy check, nothing lost.
Also worth checking the bulbs outside of the car as well.
gatsby989
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Re: Headlight only works on high beam

Post by gatsby989 »

Thanks all for the information and suggestions. I've checked all the connections, but no joy.

I've heard of fitting halogen replacements, which are brighter, and the bulbs can be easily sourced. Are these a straight swap?
http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewP ... exID=21679 Particularly I'm looking at model MGE203 Headlamp Kit, Halogen, Wipac Quad Optic, No Pilot LHD (Pair)
1959 Morris Minor 1000 - As of yet unnamed besides "little white car."
katy
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Re: Headlight only works on high beam

Post by katy »

Being that you are in the US, you should be able to buy halogen sealed beams as a direct replacement at any of your local auto parts stores, like O'rileys, Pepboys, Napa, etc. If I was in the shop I could give you a part #, don't remember it offhand.
Talk slow, think fast!
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