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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - MOT Fail NMC.......

Hello all

I need a few suggestions please, My partners car has failed the MOT. Offside headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image.
The bulb is ok dipped beam and main beam are working ok there is no moisture in the headlamp unit and it appears to be functioning ok. Whay else should I be looking for? The garage are being unhelpful saying they are not sure what it is but will fix the problem for £70 this seems a little excessive for such a minor fault which I could put right in a few minutes.
I would be grateful for any suggestions.
Thanks Ian
I Pickering

Ian.

It could be the glass is not clean on the inside of the headlamp or the bulb is either not the correct type or incorrectly fitted.

I guess that at £70.00 they'll just replace the headlamp unit.

What car is it?

Mark.
M T Boldry

It could be the beam alignment?

I had this once. I parked the car close to a wall and put the lights on main beam, then adjusted the beam alignment until the patterns looked similar...its not pergect but it got through!
Rob McGeown

Hi Mark its a Mitsubishi carisma and getting on a bit,
the lens is clean and the bulbs are identical on both sides and functioning correctly, this is why I am confused with this problem.
Thanks Ian
I Pickering

Rob i asked about beam alignment and he said tis was ok. would have thought adjusting this was a 2 minute job and not require a £70 charge to rectify.

Thanks for your thoughts.
I Pickering

Is the bulb in the right way up? If not it affects the beam pattern.

If it were alignment it's not always quite so easy to adjust as the elecronic height adjuster may be broken or the alignment mechanism may be rusted stuck or similar. Has it ever had any accident damage? That might make it difficult to adjust too if it wasn't repaired properly.

If they've failed it then they should tell you what's wrong with it. Stick to your guns, ask for the manager, say you'll consult the MOT regs or trading standards. Most garages aren't on the make, but lots have people on the front desk who know nothing about cars. Somewhere behind the person who answers the phone there will be a sensible explanation of what's going on. Go there in person, make a fuss, only accept facts, and you'll get to the sensible answer eventually.

Ant

Ant Allen

Whatever it is, it can cost £70 unless they are going to replace the whole unit.

Rob McGeown

I would bet (if the reflector and lens are good) it must be that the filament is not in the right place, ie the bulb is not seated correctly or a faulty bulb..

my bet is the bulb is not in right.
d cusworth

Many thanks for all your help.. I found that the bulb was not seated correctly in the headlamp unit, it took me all of 2 minutes to sort it out, glad i didnt pay the £70 for that fix...Passed with flying colours..

Ian
I Pickering

AND the garage new what the fault was!! IMHO
Mick - trying to sort the wiring

My instructions are always ... it's here to pass - so don't mess me around. Actually the Ford garage here in Malvern are very good...

A
Anthony Cutler

This thread was discussed between 21/08/2009 and 22/08/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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