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MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2283

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
Lower voltage?
Hi guys

why would I have a yellower light coming out of one of the main headlights ? Less voltage reaching the bulb?Using same 12V 60/55W osram cool blue bulbs. Both headlights are in good shape.

thanks

Mk Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #29988 17th Apr 2010 2:33am
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Possible high resistance in the circuit. Corroded/loose contact contact maybe. Whip the unit out and inspect the connector and if you have a multimeter check the voltage and the earth return at the same time. Should send you down the right path for starters.

Dog Thumbs Up Dog If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #29991 17th Apr 2010 8:45am
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MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2283

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
Actually I have about 0.1V less on the low beam light. Problem is along the wire (-), but where? Sad Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #30759 26th Apr 2010 9:44pm
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
MK,

0.1volt drop would not cause a noticeable difference between the lights! You would possibly expect a greater drop of a couple of volts! Do you have 12 volts at the light connector contacts when selected on? If you do you then need to select ohms on your multimeter and then check the earth returns!
Basic electrical fault finding details 'a split by half method!' If you find a problem at the end of a circuit split the circuit in two and check again at the middle point or the nearest convenient terminal or connector to it! Sorry if this is teaching you to suck eggs but I am just trying to help! If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #30760 26th Apr 2010 10:11pm
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MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2283

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
Laughing Laughing

Well, I say 0.1 V as the dial is analog and the scale for 60DC. I do have a yellower beam.

I had the tester on the light plug. I do have better V when measuring earth on a bolt on the chassis. So, it is the cable I have to follow from the light up to the light switch I guess.

thanks

M Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #30761 26th Apr 2010 10:24pm
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Laurie



Member Since: 22 Feb 2008
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 2897

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Bonatti Grey
You've lost the earth which is making the leccy run through both filaments in series, just like dim-dip.
Just fix the earth connection and it'll be OK.
If you could see it, the unlit filament in the other headlight is also glowing slightly 'cos it's all using the earth connection on that lamp.
Post #30774 27th Apr 2010 1:30am
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
You can use your multimeter to replace the lamp wiring earth return. If you select your multimeter to Amps you can use the multimeter as your earth return. Connect the light up, turn it on and put one lead on the lamp earth terminal and the other to earth. Make sure you have AMPS selected and you are on the lamp earth terminal you may have a flash/bang scenario if you get it wrong. If your lamp earth is suspect the lamp will now illuminate as it should. If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #30782 27th Apr 2010 7:37am
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Laurie



Member Since: 22 Feb 2008
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 2897

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Bonatti Grey
Better to just unplug one probe from the meter and use it on it's own.
Post #30803 27th Apr 2010 12:05pm
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MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2283

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
So if the earth-cable is dodgy, can I get a good earth from any other cable (position lights Shocked ) or chassis? or is it defenetly not the way to go? Rolling Eyes Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #30805 27th Apr 2010 12:09pm
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Laurie



Member Since: 22 Feb 2008
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 2897

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Bonatti Grey
It's most likely to be corrosion where the wire is connected to the bodywork (rust).
Less likely is a bad connection on the bulb (wiggle the connector to try it)
It's very unlikely to be a faulty wire.
Post #30808 27th Apr 2010 12:18pm
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Laurie wrote:
Better to just unplug one probe from the meter and use it on it's own.


'Best trade practice' and 'elf and safety' unless you want to possibly run the risk of a black and crispy digit, most multimeters have their own inbuilt protection either a circuit breaker trip or internal fuse, surely better to use the multimeter set to Amps than it is to just use the probe on it's own in case you get it wrong?

Agree with your sentiments about rust/corrosion. Dog Thumbs Up Dog If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #30819 27th Apr 2010 1:21pm
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Laurie



Member Since: 22 Feb 2008
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 2897

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Bonatti Grey
As long as you've got atleast a 10 amp setting on your meter.
Post #30821 27th Apr 2010 1:24pm
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Laurie wrote:
As long as you've got atleast a 10 amp setting on your meter.


Thumbs Up Thumbs Up Thumbs Up If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #30822 27th Apr 2010 1:25pm
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