Headlight - Level Thumb Wheel - Intermittient

rik007 · 2nd November 2015, 10:08

Hi, I thought the thumb wheel to adjust my headlights was not working on my R75 Saloon CDT '02 ( I bought the car a couple of months ago). Bu oddly enough I tried the thumb wheel again on Saturday and they suddenly started working to my amazement. However the joy was short lived ... they've stopped working again.

Any ideas what would cause the intermittent problem? Where would I look to solve this issue??

Thanks again,

Rich.

klarzy · 2nd November 2015, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by rik007

Hi, I thought the thumb wheel to adjust my headlights was not working on my R75 Saloon CDT '02 ( I bought the car a couple of months ago). Bu oddly enough I tried the thumb wheel again on Saturday and they suddenly started working to my amazement. However the joy was short lived ... they've stopped working again.

Any ideas what would cause the intermittent problem? Where would I look to solve this issue??

Thanks again,

Rich.

I would start by removing the LSM and opening the connector to check for damp / corrosion.
then check the loom over the front members / wheel arches.
Then check the plugs into the light pods themselves are dry and clean.

rik007 · 2nd November 2015, 14:58

Whats the LSM ? .... light switch module??

Thanks, Rich.

Quote:

Originally Posted by klarzy-dials.com

I would start by removing the LSM and opening the connector to check for damp / corrosion.
then check the loom over the front members / wheel arches.
Then check the plugs into the light pods themselves are dry and clean.

Stevie25 · 2nd November 2015, 15:52

When I bought my 03 Connie Diesel in August it had the exact same fault.
Sometimes it would preform the headlight self test, and the thumb wheel on the dash worked fine, other times it would not.
The problem I discovered was chaffed wiring at the drivers headlight.
Found this by random by tugging at wires in that area when it did not work, then it did.
Cure - could only really get at the wires when the bumper was off was a new cooling fan was being fitted.
Could then clearly see two wires that were bared in places as they were rubbing on the car bulkhead, which the wiring loom passes over, at that point.
Some heat shrink and electrical taping of the headlamp wiring loom at both sides has cured the problem.
The above seems to be an issue on our cars.
Did not have to look at opr touch the unit in the cabin, at drivers side at all.
Hope that helps.
Worth a route around under the bonnet, just to check.

rik007 · 2nd November 2015, 16:12

Excellent .. like the sound of that as a possible area the fault may lie in, given that its intermittent it does seem to follow your experience.

I'll have a look!

I think the mechanism is all OK as it appeared to work just fine a few days back, so electrical does seem the issue.

I assume your headlight bulbs works OK, it was just your mechanism that was at fault?

Cheers, Rich.

Stevie25 · 2nd November 2015, 16:35

Rich - yes headlamps were fine and still are.
The bared wires were shorting either to each other or to earth, which caused the problem.
It whole thing used to drive me crazy.
When I got it sorted, I just used to sit in the car, with headlights pointing at my garage door and test the thumb wheel each night for around a week. Now I just check it now and then. Sad I know but all part of being a R75 owner.
Really easy fix but as I say access can be difficult to the actual offending wires, unless the bumper is removed.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Fishytroll66 · 5th May 2016, 20:03

Hi all,
My zt t headlamp thumb wheel works fine, but I thought the car did a self test .i.e moved the headlamps up n down whenever you turned the ignition on? If so, mine ain't doing it..any ideas..looks like the usual 'chaffing' bits have been done, but is there a wire colour for this function that I can check..if needed of course.

Cheers peeps.

2nd November 2015, 10:08	#1
rik007 Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer CDT 2002 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Cumbria Posts: 404 Thanks: 41 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Headlight - Level Thumb Wheel - Intermittient Hi, I thought the thumb wheel to adjust my headlights was not working on my R75 Saloon CDT '02 ( I bought the car a couple of months ago). Bu oddly enough I tried the thumb wheel again on Saturday and they suddenly started working to my amazement. However the joy was short lived ... they've stopped working again. Any ideas what would cause the intermittent problem? Where would I look to solve this issue?? Thanks again, Rich.

5th May 2016, 20:03	#7
Fishytroll66 Avid contributor MG ZT -T Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Rhuddlan Posts: 115 Thanks: 31 Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts	on the subject of headlamps.. Hi all, My zt t headlamp thumb wheel works fine, but I thought the car did a self test .i.e moved the headlamps up n down whenever you turned the ignition on? If so, mine ain't doing it..any ideas..looks like the usual 'chaffing' bits have been done, but is there a wire colour for this function that I can check..if needed of course. Cheers peeps. __________________ Paul (AKA Fishytroll)

2nd November 2015, 15:52	#4
Stevie25 Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bangor, NI Posts: 369 Thanks: 356 Thanked 148 Times in 87 Posts	When I bought my 03 Connie Diesel in August it had the exact same fault. Sometimes it would preform the headlight self test, and the thumb wheel on the dash worked fine, other times it would not. The problem I discovered was chaffed wiring at the drivers headlight. Found this by random by tugging at wires in that area when it did not work, then it did. Cure - could only really get at the wires when the bumper was off was a new cooling fan was being fitted. Could then clearly see two wires that were bared in places as they were rubbing on the car bulkhead, which the wiring loom passes over, at that point. Some heat shrink and electrical taping of the headlamp wiring loom at both sides has cured the problem. The above seems to be an issue on our cars. Did not have to look at opr touch the unit in the cabin, at drivers side at all. Hope that helps. Worth a route around under the bonnet, just to check.

2nd November 2015, 16:12	#5
rik007 Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer CDT 2002 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Cumbria Posts: 404 Thanks: 41 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Excellent .. like the sound of that as a possible area the fault may lie in, given that its intermittent it does seem to follow your experience. I'll have a look! I think the mechanism is all OK as it appeared to work just fine a few days back, so electrical does seem the issue. I assume your headlight bulbs works OK, it was just your mechanism that was at fault? Cheers, Rich.

2nd November 2015, 16:35	#6
Stevie25 Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bangor, NI Posts: 369 Thanks: 356 Thanked 148 Times in 87 Posts	Rich - yes headlamps were fine and still are. The bared wires were shorting either to each other or to earth, which caused the problem. It whole thing used to drive me crazy. When I got it sorted, I just used to sit in the car, with headlights pointing at my garage door and test the thumb wheel each night for around a week. Now I just check it now and then. Sad I know but all part of being a R75 owner. Really easy fix but as I say access can be difficult to the actual offending wires, unless the bumper is removed. Good luck and let us know how you get on.