13 replies to this topic

[paulrockliffe]

Daft question, but I can tell from the Haynes manual and haven't a switch to have to open up.

Does the switch leave the side lights on when you turn the headlights on? Or is there something else that keeps the tail lights on when you switch from sides to headlights?

Thanks!

[panky]

Yes the side lights stay on. There's two sets of contacts in the switch, one for sides and one for head lights. When in the headlight positions both sets of contacts are supplied with 12v. This is the rocker type switch(had one to bits) but the toggle switch works in a similar way.

Edited by panky, 27 January 2018 - 10:18 PM.

[CityEPete]

In position one or two it sends the power to the bottom fuse which then sends it on fused to the side lights,reg plate and dash lights. Only in position two does it go to the stalk.

The pull to flash flasher is fused and totally separate.

[paulrockliffe]

Thanks that's perfect! So the sidelights bulbs stay illuminated when the headlights are on?

And I'd forgotten that the pull to flash needs its own power supply, so a useful reminder. I have all the wires labelled so I would have traced the unconnected wire and worked it out but I've made a note.

[CityEPete]

That's it.

[Ethel]

It can look more complicated if there's a dim dip relay, but it isn't really. That just turns on the dip beam if you have the sidelights on with the ignition also on.

[paulrockliffe]

I spent last night taking the dim-dip out actually, I moved on to working out how to wire up the new switch and with a multimeter to test the outputs in the different positions I realised I didn't know how the switch should work and you can't see on the Haynes wiring diagram.

[andyapanel]

It's worth pointing out, if you did not know, that the switch has a distressing tendency to melt, usually preceded by the smell of hot plastic.

Upgrading to a "WIRED BY WILSON" lighting loom is a good move to consider. At the very least, carry a spare light switch repair loom section.

I found it very exciting to lose lights when  in traffic commuting to work.

[paulrockliffe]

Thanks, I'm using a different switch and I'm fitting relays for the headlight dip and main beams run through some decent cable and some new earths, so I should be OK.

 

The switch I took out looks fairly OK, though there's some small burn marks on the headlight wires at the stalk connector so I'm replacing a few wires and that connector as well even though it'll be running a much lower load in future.

[andyapanel]

If you have not done it yet, I would recommend the "Wired by Wilson" loom. It includes separate fuses for each light. 

[Jonesy77]

Thread revival time
I was told for MOT my side lights have to come on independently on setting 1 on switch
then setting 2 should be both side lights and dipped beam
then stalk forward for bull beam

Have i been given bad info from a local garage?

[Spider]

Thread revival time
I was told for MOT my side lights have to come on independently on setting 1 on switch
then setting 2 should be both side lights and dipped beam
then stalk forward for bull beam

Have i been given bad info from a local garage?

 

That sound correct.

[Jonesy77]

Thread revival time
I was told for MOT my side lights have to come on independently on setting 1 on switch
then setting 2 should be both side lights and dipped beam
then stalk forward for bull beam

Have i been given bad info from a local garage?

That sound correct.

It was reading above saying they stay on which has through me?

[Twincam]

Looking at the front lights:

When you click once, both side lights come on only.
When you click twice, both side lights remain on however the dipped beam now illuminates.

The tail lights, Numberplate and dash lights should remain on in both positions (one or two) and only turn off when the switch is turned off totally.