dip beam not working

[Patfallon]

Hi all.
i'm hoping someone might give me a quick answer to my problem. Headlamps don't switch on, however I can use the stalk to flash main beam with the ignition on or off; have to hold the stalk towards me to keep the main beam working. i'm guessing it will be the headlamp relay but also, can anyone tell me what a headlamp inhibitor relay is and does. thanks in advance.

[almcl]

Pat

Which year of car is it? There was a change over around 91-92 when an extra relay was introduced. Up till then it's headlamp switch (connectors on that have been known to break off - particularly the big blue one) headlamp relay and then fuses.

After that the circuit gets a bit more complicated (this may have been a by-product of the dim-dip regulations that came in about then) and there are several more exciting failure modes..

[Patfallon]

thanks. it's 88. Fuses are ok so headlamp switch or relay. I will be taking a look this morning.

[almcl]

Pat

You probably know all this anyway, but,

Brown wire to switch should be permanently live

Thick Blue wire from switch to relay should be live when headlights are switched on. This should arrive on pin 56 and depart on either 56a or 56b. There are all sorts of bits of plastic inside the relay that can melt, gum up, etc and cause it to stop working. Some have reported being able to take the relay apart and get it working again.

[Patfallon]

thanks again Almci.

I made it simple and shorted the 56b with the live feed. Lights came on so I got another relay; job done. I might take a look inside the relay I took off and see if it can be salvaged.

All the best Pat

[Brakebuster]

thanks again Almci.

I made it simple and shorted the 56b with the live feed. Lights came on so I got another relay; job done. I might take a look inside the relay I took off and see if it can be salvaged.

All the best Pat

dont bother, either the contacts have been welded together in the open position, or the relay coil has failed,
not serviceable i'm afraid

BB

[almcl]

There's a description of how to carry out some R+R on the Hella style relay about four posts down, here:

http://forums.jag-lovers.org/av.php?1058242i16

(If it won't let you in, the pictures are here:
http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1080778679

and here:
http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1181114595
)