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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Dim Dip fault.
        
(Message started by: Simmo on Aug 28^th, 2008, 8:20pm)

Title: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Simmo on Aug 28^th, 2008, 8:20pm

The offside dim dip is not working. I have looked at the wiring diagram HERE (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/hlampfunc.htm) 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.

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by pinto on Aug 28^th, 2008, 8:32pm

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.

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Tompion on Aug 28^th, 2008, 9:51pm

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

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Simmo on Aug 29^th, 2008, 9:03am

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 !! ;D ;D. 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.

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Jonnycab on Aug 29^th, 2008, 1:16pm

Sorry for my ignorance :P.....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 ? :-/

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by scorpio_man on Aug 29^th, 2008, 4:03pm

hi jc

dim dip got dropped in late '96. your car won't have it.

hth

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Jonnycab on Aug 29^th, 2008, 4:07pm

Thanks for that Andy ;).....that's one less thing to worry about ;D

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Snoopy on Aug 29^th, 2008, 8:05pm

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 (http://cid-eb36f845ea9b8fb6.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/WIRING%20DIAGRAMS/HEADLAMPS|_RHD%20PRE%2004|_07.pdf) is what you require ...

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Simmo on Aug 29^th, 2008, 9:28pm

on 08/29/08 at 13:16:08, Jonnycab wrote:

Sorry for my ignorance :P.....but how exactly is this dim-dip supposed to work ? :-/

:-/

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! :D ;D

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. ;)

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Snoopy on Aug 30^th, 2008, 7:45am

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.

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by lesterlad on Aug 30^th, 2008, 8:38am

on 08/29/08 at 16:03:35, scorpio_man wrote:

hi jc

dim dip got dropped in late '96. your car won't have it.

hth

Mine is a 97 and it has dim dips ???

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Snoopy on Aug 30^th, 2008, 9:27am

AH! But WHEN was it manufactured? That is the important thing NOT when it was registered....!

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by gozz on Aug 30^th, 2008, 10:03am

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.

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Simmo on Aug 30^th, 2008, 10:25am

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.

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by TiberiuS on Aug 30^th, 2008, 12:34pm

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 :-/

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Simmo on Aug 30^th, 2008, 2:13pm

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!!. ;D

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by TiberiuS on Aug 30^th, 2008, 7:43pm

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???

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by harry.m1byt on Aug 30^th, 2008, 9:57pm

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?

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by gozz on Aug 30^th, 2008, 11:23pm

YES INDEED !

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Simmo on Aug 31^st, 2008, 8:34pm

Gentlemen.....and Bruce and Gozz !! ;D. 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.

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Snoopy on Aug 31^st, 2008, 9:03pm

YES that does make sense ...... At least the problem has been solved...

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by gozz on Aug 31^st, 2008, 11:35pm

Simmo Sir !
A happy conclusion we hope ! with a little help from your logical friends ;)
GOZZical.

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Jonnycab on Sep 1^st, 2008, 1:36am

Glad you sorted it Mike :)

Title: Re: Dim Dip fault.
Post by Simmo on Sep 1^st, 2008, 7:51am

I persevered Jon to save you and Dave getting your hands dirty at the next meet!!. But then there is the little matter of Gosts' HBC to sort out ;D