a couple of electrical issues

I have a couple of electrical issues im pretty stumped on if anyone can give some assistance.

1. headlights only seem to work on dipped beam use to start working again after driving for a bit but now just no main beam, im thinking the stalk maybe the fault as ive changed the bulbs and checked fuses etc?

2. my gauges both oil temp and pressure, when i put my ignition on they are fine but as soon as i start the car both the gauges shoot to max and stay there, i changed the temp sensor to see if that was the problem but it didnt solve the problem so im thinking its somewhere else, are both these gauges conected in anyway? these are prosport gauges and not standard, oil pressure again use to start working again after it was driven with only the occasional jump but now both are stuck on max

Any help is much appreciated

If im right in thinking generaly when the gauge shoots up means its not earthing properly or shorting across the two mate pull it out use a multi meter find a suitible earth for the meter then find the earth on the gauge turn it on and see if you get a current through it.

Hi digi with reference to the lights make sure the wiring for the main beams is ok as much of it as you can and try and make sure it isnt going through other things like mine was it wont be easy but will save you money if its just a dodgy bit of 20 odd year old wiring

as leighton said its more than likely an earth prob
check the engine to body main earth or put a jump lead from engine to good body ground to temporarily see if it makes a difference

Wiring or earths behind the gauges them self also connected into the ignition or lights as when you put them on the gauges light up ?

yeah the gauges light up when ignition comes on, ill pull the dash out and have a look at the gauges, and try that jump lead, cheers for the help folks

Could be just something as simple as a live rubbing on metal behind the gauges and when you start the car it earths it out fella.

yeah sounds like that could be it, was having problems with my temp gauge acting up then my missus borrowed the car for the day and the gauge was playing up so my 7yr old son told the missus that i always hit it to get it working, so she did and knocked the gauges into the dash lolol so fitting them back in maybe pulled a wire somewhere

There you go mate woman and technical never mix to well lmao

hope you dont invoice her to much lol.i have seen similar on radio's without proper connectors and on gauges hence my suggestion. if not the gauges thing where does your wires run for your sensors temp if after market will prob be to sump either age or shorting wire down there ?

well i had a look at the connections in the back of the gauges and everything seemed to be connected ok, followed the wires down through the engine and all seemed ok aswell, the temp goes to the sump and the pressure goes to a sender at back of the engine, i didnt look that far as it was starting to get dark, could it be one of these wires as it seems a bit wierd that both gauges are faulting.

I also tried using a jump lead from my rocker cover to the wing but no luck either

Thanks again for your help

This Still seems wiring to me its hard to tell over the computer. Process of elimination electrics are a funny thing if a circut is not complete it can do funny things try back to this problem with the main beam

do you think the gauges could be related to the lights?

ive given up ill have to take it to a garage and get them to find the issue

Why dont you just un wire each gauge as you go along then if its a gauge throwing the lights etc rather than pay through the arse for a garage to do it.

on the back of gauges there is an orange wire coming from all 3 gauges, these have been wrapped up and not connected, not sure what there purpose is, ill try and rewire all the gauges again and see what happens

have the gauges got a little button on ? orange wire i will take a guess and say colour changing gauges ?

no buttons on the gauges but as its wrapped up i assume its not the issue, i think the lights have caused this problem, dont know if thats possible but worth a try.