Front lights /weird earth wire?

[PRESTON]

Hi Everyone
I need some advice re the following
I've just replaced both sets of the front lights with nos items I've had in the loft for ages.
When taking the old lights off there was a thick earth wire seemingly doing nothing just hanging loose in the back of all the light bowls?
These wires seem to connect to the black electrical thingy on the front bulkhead behind the overflow bottle next to the radiator (if that makes sense)
The lights seem to be still earthed on the actual light itself ie two wires one to the bulb one to the light housing (earth?) and work ok or at least seem to?
All very weird to a moron such as myself but very curious if I've done something wrong?
thanks
preston

[Lingen]

Preston. Your Black Thingy next to the radiator has been added at some time by a previous owner, presumably for some sort of lighting modification. Forget it, or better still remove it, and just wire in your NOS lamps as per the factory wiring diagram.
Mike.

[PRESTON]

Thanks so much Mike
the car originally had extra front spot lights and rear fogs do you think that is the reason?
Just strange there were the earth cables in the bowls with a bullet connector still attached at the end but not connected to anything?
thanks again
preston

[robbo]

When I replaced my headlights I wired them through relays. With the live direct from the battery through a fuse box. Worked a treat. The only problem I recall was the headlight flasher which had to go through a separate relay.
Rob.

[Lingen]

Preston.
I would say it is almost certainly to do with those extra lights so can be removed. The original system with four "H1" single filament bulbs probably had the earth wires connected to the clips securing the bulbs. If your replacement light units take twin filament "H4" bulbs, one of the terminals on the bulb will become the earth.
Mike.

[PRESTON]

Thanks once again
The nos new lights do indeed have the earth on the bulb clips
preston