Weird cortina headlight problem

[mattblack]

Got a strange fault on the Cortina's headlights...

 

When I first switch them on they come on, then they will both go off and come back on randomly for maybe 30 seconds, then stay on for the rest of my journey. I have checked the fuses, the connector block on the bottom of the fusebox, the connections to the switch and the connections and earths at the lights themselves. 'Wiggling' the switch doesn't make them do it, and they don't do it going over bumps. Despite what the Haynes BOL says there is no relay in the system I'm told?

 

Any ideas?

[vulgalour]

I had exactly the same issue with the Princess' wipers.  Turns out that it was a fuse that had become slightly deformed and wasn't making a good connection until the wipers were on for a bit and then they either stayed on or stopped working completely.  Changing the fuse for a better quality one did the trick.

 

Clean up all your connections, replace the fuse and check the bulbs and holders where they connect, something will be the weak link in there somewhere.  Sounds very much like it could also be a moisture issue in one or more of the connectors too, do they stop playing silly buggers once the car has warmed up?

[ShiteRider]

Cortina fuseboxes are notorious moisture traps, whiz the cover off give the terminals a good clean and a liberal coating of WD-40 or similar.

I used to have a similar thing on one of mine, when it was damp the wipers would randomly work, by themselves with no input from me..

[sheffcortinacentre]

only mk3 has a relay, clean fuse box & fit a new fuse, my crayford only sidelights & main beam work if its parked up for a while.

[trigger]

Mine does a funny too, when you have your headlights on if you flick to main beam they turn off completely for a couple of seconds before working again, it's a bit unsettling but as I don't use it much at night I've never investigated into it.

 

Could that be a iffy fuse too or would that be more likely relay related?

[sheffcortinacentre]

thats how i found out i had prob on crayford