X1/9 headlamp motors

[DuncanM]

Well, I finally got a mid engined classic Italian wedge shaped sportscar. :) :D Unfortunately it's an X1/9. ;)
And annoyingly only one of the headlamps pops up. I know that some Stratos' use X1/9 headlamp motors, but I was wondering about the wiring/switchgear. Is it modified beyond recognition or is it basically the same? I'm trying to find out about the tolerances of the relays, as it seems that there is a difference in potential of about .2V between the left motor relay signal and the right one. Anyone got any good ideas on how to solve it?

[chris.richard]

Dismantle and clean all connections. Always a good starting place.

[DuncanM]

I cleaned pretty much I could get my hands on. (mainly by getting the dirt on my hands it seemed!) But I guess I can always have another go - it's always the connector that you missed that is the important one...

[CorseChris]

Hi Duncan,

How are you getting on with this problem?? Sorted it or do you need some more ideas???

Cheers

Chris

[DuncanM]

I cleaned everything up, and I tried reversing some of the connectors - causing the motor that was doing nothing to go round and round. When I returned it to the correct way around, I discovered that now both lights will pop up, and neither will go down automatically.
The X1/9 forum people think it's the diodes on the otors, but I've not had a chance to take them out to check the diodes yet.
I'll let you know what happens when I do...
Cheers
Duncan

[CorseChris]

If you are taking the motors off, it's probably worth removing the gearbox cover and checking the internal switch contacts are OK as well. They can be troublesome too.

I have some spare motors if you run into trouble.


Good luck!

[DuncanM]

They work OK now (though sometimes the right light doesn't go down fully because it works a bit slower than the left one and so it doesn't quite get down before the current is switched off). There was an intermittent problem with the radiator fan, and the garage traced it back to the earth connector block in the left hand pod housing not having a good connection with the wing it was bolted to. I had cleaned all the spade connectors that attached to it though I'd not thought of checking it the block had a good contact! ;)
Thanks for the help, and the generous offer...
Cheers
Duncan

[CorseChris]

Glad it's sorted Duncan.

I suspect the remaining problem is more likely to be found in the gearbox to be honest. Each motor has it's own relay which should only stop feeding power to it once the correct position has been achieved. This is determined by the switch integral to the gearbox and should be consistent. The actual speed shouldn't be an issue unless the wiring has been fiddled with.

[DuncanM]

From my reading of the diagram, there is one switching relay, that sends the signal to the 2 relays that control the headlamp motors. There don't seem to be enough relays in the fuse box for there to be more, though it is a 1980, and therefore seems to have a mix of early and late wiring and fusebox.
It works. That's enough for me. ;) And enough about headlamp motors. :)
Cheers
Duncan

[CorseChris]

You can never have too much detailed discussion about headlamps.....:D

I'll get me Anorak then shall I?