HEAD LAMP SWITCH POSITIONS

Cathy · Post by **Cathy** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 19:54

Hi guys,

Would like someone to clarify the switch positions for the lights, on my 88 excel, on the stalk the first position allows you to clean and maintain lamps, without the lights on. From off to second position it brings up my pods and puts the lamps on as well as side lights. And then the third position is main beam/dip. I only bring this up as it is contary to the handbook which says second position only puts on side lights for parking and doesn't bring up pods. It's no problem i was just wondering as i recently drove an 89 which did what the manual stated, and wanted to know if mine is normal.
Also i drove the excel all over, visiting at christmas and notice the distinct lack off visibility this was propably due to salt and grime from the roads, i kept having to stop and clean em, i have fitted hallegen 50% brighter bulbs. Any other suggestions.

amarshall · Post by **amarshall** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 19:59

With engine off, second position should be sidelights only. !st position should do nothing until you flash the headlamps to raise the pods.

If you have dim-dip, when the ignition is switched on (2nd position) then the headlamp pods should come up and dimmed dipped beam activate. The pods should then stay up until the light switch is put back to off.

Cathy · Post by **Cathy** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 20:17

cheers for that, i've only had the car two years !!!! Didnt realise about the parking light feature never bothered to read that bit, we're all mod cons.

dpr59 · Post by **dpr59** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 20:29

Pulled the dim/dip fuse on mine. Stupid idea, pods up half illuminated lights.....

On bulbs, I replaced mine with Xenon bulbs however kept the wattage the same.

Fancied the 90W mains but didn't want to risk melting and wires.

The visibility is much better with the blue bulbs...

Cathy · Post by **Cathy** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 20:44

That's what i ment xenon bulbs, i kept with the same wattage too. but there are conversion kits out there but they are really expensive. I think i will stick to jumping out the car every so often to wipe the muck off the head lamps. The joys of winter driving. Is there any difference between the blue xenon and normal xenon bulbs?

tonypoll · Post by **tonypoll** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 21:47

I guess you've checked the reflectors are OK. It is quite common for the inside of the headlamps to corrode. I replaced mine and there was a great improvement.

Cathy · Post by **Cathy** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 22:04

Thats a thought actually we flew through last years mot on an advise (very nice man, before it went computerised), on n/s lamp reflective stuff was suffering with a bit of corrosion but i never bothered to change it and i have a replacement. Winter lazyitis! cheers.