With the Covid19 lock down easing slightly, I finally got to drive Yoko for the first time in ages! Despite sitting in the garage for so long, she started first time and is running very sweetly.
I finally got around to fitting the strut brace back on to Yoko. This has been painted red over winter.
One thing I've noticed in the last year or so, is that on hot days Yoko's headlights will pop up by themselves and on high beam. If not caught, this can flatten the battery.
After investigating and looking at the wiring diagrams for the lighting, it can only be the column switches that are causing this issue. I took the steering wheel and cover off to have a look at the switch module and switches are very worn. Some of the lighting works intermittently and wobbling the light switch arm can cause odd behaviour.
It doesn't look like something that can be refurbished as the whole switch module is quite complex. A new replacement is over £200!.
Whilst investigating, we found this diode wedged into the connector on the back of the switch unit. This is the 'flash to pass' modification that many people do. Without it, you can flash the headlights by pulling back on the light switch stalk but, the headlights don't rise at the same time, so they won't be seen. This appears to be a design flaw. The diode means the headlights will also rise when they are flashed.
I removed it and will fit it back properly.
I've bought a second-hand switch module to replace the dodgy one currently on the car. If nothing else I can try and take the old one apart and see if it can be refurbished.
My 'new' switch module arrived, so I fitted that today.
Top Tip: Leave the nut on the column when you pull the steering wheel off, so you don't smack yourself in the face.
It's easy to swap these over. Just four connectors and a clamp. The steering wheel needs to be removed though. This has cured the problem with the lights acting randomly in the hot weather. I've also refitted the 'flash to pass' diode properly.