MTFCA Forum

Hello.

I have a little contacts problem in my right headlight (two filaments 6V bulb), while the left headlight is fine.
I wanted to adjust the focus of right one, hereby I noticed the contacts issue.

Sometimes it is shining lots darker compared to the left one. When slightly moving the outside plug, brightness varies.

• I tried sanding the contacts of the plug. Changed nothing. -> So no oxidation of contacts on plug.
• I verified that pins inside the socket are spring loaded and and move fine. -> No low contact pressure.
• I tried to use a solid wire from focus-set-screw to ground. -> No grounding problem as nothing changes

Any further ideas? I will take the headlight apart and clean+check the inner contacts (on bulb side), too. Possibly this side is bad.

I know that I got this sockets from Lang's as old ones because they didn't have new reproductions. But they look fine.
There was no other choice because I have the focus-set-screw in 12:00 position and need the contacts at 03:00 and 09:00 positions to have the filaments in center and a little above, respectively. So the plug lock pins are at 12:00 and 06:00. The original sockets) I mean those when I got the car) were incorrect, they had contacts at 12:00 and 6:00, so there was no low beam, only a straight and sideways beam (not allowed in Europe).

Is it possible that the socket itself has an internal contacts problem, appearing mechanically fine, but having an electrical issue?

I took the glass off and checked the socket from bulb side.
Bent the outer a little bit tighter, sprayed in some silicone grease (as protection against oxidation) and re-inserted the bulb.

Works now - hope this will not change soon.

I had a similar problem and tried similar remedies. The right headlight would still run dimmer than the left one from time to time. The problem proved to be the electrical contact between the bulb socket assembly and the headlight shell. It is also possible for the headlight shell attachment to the bracket, or the headlight bracket to the fender or the headlight bar to have intermittent high electrical resistance. The fender assembly may not have a good electrical contact to the frame. My problem was a poor contact between the moveable headlight bulb socket and the headlight shell. (focus screw and spring did not make reliable contact)

Thank you for your answer.

I got one final idea. I could connect the bulb socket to the inner of the headlight behind the reflector, using flexible wire. This wire is wrapped around the socket and pressed on somehow. Soldering it appears a bit critical to me, so a little tube clamp will be better.

So at least this most reasonable bad contact (current of up to several Amps over this thin focus spring) is bridged. Can only make it better.

I have added a bit of solder to the contacts at the back of the bulb. This will sometimes tighten up the connection at the back if the springs are a bit weak.
Norm

Check the set screws that hold the wire in the back of the socket, Sometimes you think they are tight but corrosion or whatever has stopped them from seating all the way. Just a thought.