Low Beam troubles

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madfishpaul
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Low Beam troubles

Post by madfishpaul » Sun Mar 17, 2013 5:37 pm

Hi, I posted a tread before xmas about this one, thanks for your help at that time :lol:

The plot thickens, I finally got round to looking at the lights today...

I have no low beam, and MOT is due next week :argh:

High beam works fine and as it should.

Checked voltage at the bulb, the R/W wire is showing constant 14V (with engine running, 11-12v without) regardless of the switch position. I would have expected this to drop to 3-4 if the low beam was working in the same way the high beam feed does - I'm I wrong ???

So, thinking must be the relay or switch. There is a definite relay / switchy type click (loud and clear) when the light switch (stalk) is turned. Can clearly be heard with the engine running. So, switch is probably working and its the relay?

Can anyone tell me where the sodding relay is ??? though it was passenger side, but tracing the loom it must be behind the dash somewhere, before I take that lot out though I'd ask you chaps in the know.

Haynes wiring section looks ok if you have a Vit, bit vague if not :thumbdown:

:help:
If in doubt, get a bigger hammer...

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Darrell
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Re: Low Beam troubles

Post by Darrell » Sun Mar 17, 2013 5:51 pm

There is no relay as standard, however some models did have a dip-dim unit, which is fitted to the passenger side footwell. I've not heard of them stopping the lights working but they do regularly screw up. If you have one unplug it and let us know what happens :thumbup:

looks like this, if you have one!
Attachments
Dip dim relay.jpg
Dip dim relay.jpg (178.55 KiB) Viewed 4152 times
dip-dim unit.jpg
dip-dim unit.jpg (34.35 KiB) Viewed 4152 times
2005-GV 1600se, "Hell" What do I know!

madfishpaul
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Posts: 17
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Location: North Devon

Re: Low Beam troubles

Post by madfishpaul » Sun Mar 17, 2013 5:52 pm

Thanks, I will have a look.
If there is no relay fitted, any other thoughts?
If in doubt, get a bigger hammer...

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Tramp
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Re: Low Beam troubles

Post by Tramp » Sun Mar 17, 2013 6:28 pm

It sounds like yours is negatively switch (unlike mine which is positively) but i had an issue on my fuse board, a previous owner had fitted uprated bulb (high wattage than standard) with the extra draw the plastic plug type connector that clips onto the bottom of the fuseboards PCB had burnt up internally, the plastic had discoloured around it and the connection was causing intermittant light operation, I'm at work at the moment but when i get home I have some photos of the plug & board, id check it on yours

madfishpaul
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Location: North Devon

Re: Low Beam troubles

Post by madfishpaul » Sun Mar 17, 2013 7:04 pm

HAA HAAAAAAAA HHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Sorted :-)

Whilst looking for the dim/dip relay (not fitted to mine in the end) I found the the problem.

Under the dash a feed had been taken from the R/W wire to the aftermarket stereo. Dodgy connection was too blame.

Will be sorted properly tomorrow with a soldering iron and a heat shrink cover.

Thanks for the comments on both posts, all help and advice is much appreciated.

Ta,

P.
If in doubt, get a bigger hammer...

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