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Topic: Dim Dip fault. (Read 1423 times) |
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Simmo
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Dim Dip fault.
« on: Aug 28th, 2008, 8:20pm » |
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The offside dim dip is not working. I have looked at the wiring diagram HERE and it appears that the relays work both sides so presumably they are ok. The normal dip and main beams work correctly so the bulbs are ok. Has anyone experienced this please and if so what is the remedy. Thanks, Mike.
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pinto
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TD04 on a galaxy manifold ? whooooooosh !
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #1 on: Aug 28th, 2008, 8:32pm » |
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Speaking from experience of a sierra with an identical fault - it turned out to be an earth wire dislodged at the steering column switch 
Might be worth a look.
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Tompion
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1997 2.3 Ultima estate.
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #2 on: Aug 28th, 2008, 9:51pm » |
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Mike
I think as pinto says an earth problem is likely, try cleaning the earths that screw to the body somewhere in the area of each headlight. I think the diagram you want on the page you posted is the daytime running lights, if you haven’t already done so try pulling the 5 fuses shown there 4,5,10,11 & 18 just in case they’re not making good contact.
Dave
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Simmo
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #3 on: Aug 29th, 2008, 9:03am » |
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Thank you both. I'll have a go later today and let you know. If no go it might be a job for the Surrey and Essex 'bodgers' at Badgers !!  . Mike.
Update:.. Have done as sugested re fuses,earth points and pulled the relay. Absolutely no difference. Bulb illuminates but power is less than the nearside. In 'normal' dipped use both bulbs have the same appearance in terms of power so that would seem to rule out the o/side bulb losing efficiency. Any further ideas welcome. Mike.
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Jonnycab
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Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #4 on: Aug 29th, 2008, 1:16pm » |
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Sorry for my ignorance  .....but how exactly is this dim-dip supposed to work ? 
I've never noticed my sidelights glow any brighter when the engine is running, nor have I noticed the dip beam bulbs glow softly when the ignition is on
All bulbs are either on or off, with no inbetween.....does this mean my dim-dip isn't working at all ?
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scorpio_man
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #5 on: Aug 29th, 2008, 4:03pm » |
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hi jc
dim dip got dropped in late '96. your car won't have it.
hth
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Jonnycab
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #6 on: Aug 29th, 2008, 4:07pm » |
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Thanks for that Andy  .....that's one less thing to worry about
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Snoopy
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #7 on: Aug 29th, 2008, 8:05pm » |
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Mike check the relay I thought there were two for the dim dip system Relay 7 in the central fuse box .... Worth a try .... and its THIS PAGE is what you require ...
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Simmo
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #8 on: Aug 29th, 2008, 9:28pm » |
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on Aug 29th, 2008, 1:16pm, Jonnycab wrote:Sorry for my ignorance .....but how exactly is this dim-dip supposed to work ?
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Jon, I see you haven't got the system but the detail of how it works is in the link I put in my first post. It looks like it may be a job for 'bodger bruvvers' as all my efforts so far have failed! 
Dave, I did check the relay and I can only see one although the diagram talks about a 'coil' but I assume that is part of the relay.
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Snoopy
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #9 on: Aug 30th, 2008, 7:45am » |
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Yes I agree there MUST be a coil in the circuit SOMEWHERE but I have never found one ... should have thought it would be out in the open somewhere as its likely to get quite hot ... I will look else where.... and IF i find out where I will tell you ASAP.
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lesterlad aka Rodders
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2.3 Ghia x Estate (Manual)
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #10 on: Aug 30th, 2008, 8:38am » |
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on Aug 29th, 2008, 4:03pm, scorpio_man wrote:hi jc
dim dip got dropped in late '96. your car won't have it.
hth |
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Mine is a 97 and it has dim dips
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Snoopy
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #11 on: Aug 30th, 2008, 9:27am » |
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AH! But WHEN was it manufactured? That is the important thing NOT when it was registered....!
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gozz
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #12 on: Aug 30th, 2008, 10:03am » |
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Simmo.
If you wire two lamps in series they will each take 6 volts and thus be dim,however in that case one depends on the other for circuit and as one of yours is not lit,unless the filament is low in resistance it can't be wired that way.In any case on the face of it,and in the absence of a wiring diagram showing how it's done,I am unsure of the method.Well that was helpful wasn't it  I suppose all this will have crossed your mind anyway !
GOZZ.
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Simmo
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #13 on: Aug 30th, 2008, 10:25am » |
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Hi Gozz, the problem is it does light BUT not to the same level so the circuit is intact. We think the 'coil' is actually in the relay and there is only one relay shown so it must cover both bulbs. I will eventually try another relay. The earth must be ok as the bulb lights correctly on dip and main with no power reduction. . Best wishes, Mike.
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TiberiuS
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Ex. 1996 2.3 Ultima - RIP P789 KHJ
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #14 on: Aug 30th, 2008, 12:34pm » |
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Mike, aren't the dipped beam bulbs wired in series to 'dim dip' them?
Have you tried swapping the bulbs to see if the fault changes side? Wired in series they should both be pulling equal voltage and surely earth/voltage fault would affect both equally
One filament pulling more power would make the other one dim.
The Ford diagrams confuse me, don't know why they couldn't use normal circuit schematics like everyone else
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Simmo
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #15 on: Aug 30th, 2008, 2:13pm » |
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Bruce, Yes they are wired in series,according to the link in my first post, and that is what confuses us all. I haven't tried swapping the bulbs but they appear identical in 'normal' dipped beam use so that would seem to rule out a power or earth issue. I will try to substitute a relay when I lay hands on one and see if that does the trick although logic says it would affect both sides. But as Dave said earlier today....logic and Scorpio's....don't be silly!!.
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TiberiuS
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #16 on: Aug 30th, 2008, 7:43pm » |
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Mike. I'd still try changing or at least swapping the existing bulbs over first, I won't say where but in some places it's common to have 2,3,4, maybe even 6 lamps in series accross 12 or 24v supplies and as they get old and the filaments near the end of their life some of the lamps will suck more power and be noticeably brighter than the others.
The only other thing is does the dim dip wiring go through the main fusebox en route to the ignition switch or something? Maybe possible there's a grounding fault there
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harry.m1byt
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #17 on: Aug 30th, 2008, 9:57pm » |
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Has anyone considered that if the two lamps are in series and are different wattages then one (lower wattage one) is bound to be brighter than the other?
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gozz
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #18 on: Aug 30th, 2008, 11:23pm » |
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YES INDEED !
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Simmo
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Re: Dim Dip fault.
« Reply #19 on: Aug 31st, 2008, 8:34pm » |
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Gentlemen.....and Bruce and Gozz !! . I believe the mystery has been solved. I took out the offending 'dim' bulb today having checked that it was still illuminating. I substituted another bulb and low and behold all appeared normal. I then checked the original bulb with the battery charger and found it to be 'duff'. On examining it there was a clear break in the filament. I can only assume that it was failing and removing it whilst it was hot was enough to sever whatever continuity there was in the filament. The 'experts' will no doubt tell me if that makes sense. Logic says that with 12v to the bulb it was ok but with 6v perhaps the 'wear' was sufficient to cause a problem.
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