14 replies to this topic

[Marco1972]

History
Freshly rebuilt car no modifications to the electrical system 1992 city model
My issue is with the lighting system
Everything works as it should but when you have the side lights on and then put the ignition on the main lights come on too ( all works as it should with the ignition off
So in short ( I think ) it’s drawing a current from somewhere it’s only on the main light wire ( blue with a red trace )
I’ve removed various switches to see if they are faulty but the problem still persists
If you remove the top fuse from the fuse box ( 1 and 2 35amp Stop lights, reversing lights, direction indicators, heated rear window.
These systems will only operate with the ignition switch at position ll ) this stops the problem
I’ve checked all the body earths and they are fine and secure everything else electrical works correctly
This has got me stumped so hoping someone has any ideas or if I’m missing the obvious

Cheers
Mark

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

You say the main lights (I presume you mean dipped headlights) come on when the sidelights are switched on and the ignition is then also switched on.  Do the headlights then come on at full brightness or only at a reduced intensity? 

 

This model year would have had a dim/dip system fitted to prevent the vehicle being driven on sidelights only.  If the headlights come on dimly with the sidelights when the ignition is on then the system is working correctly.  If the headlights come on at full intensity with the headlight switch in the sidelight position however then something isn't right - they should only come on at full intensity when the headlight switch is in the second position.

[Marco1972]

Yes sorry dipped headlights

As I say they operate normally with the ignition off
First click of the switch side lights
Second click dipped lights
Main or high beam works normally off the stork by the steering wheel
If you just have the side lights on and then start the car the dipped lights also come on

Hope this makes it clear

[EasterBern]

This is most likely the Dim Dip system (as already mentioned).

 

To check that it is:

 

1. Put sidelights on

2. Start engine, check brightness of now lit dipped beam.

3. Put the lights on to dipped beam - the dipped beam headlights should now be brighter.

4. Turn back to sidelights and the dipped beam should get dimmer.

5. Turn engine off, should just have sidelights.

 

You can disconnect all of the dim-dip, I have!

Edited by EasterBern, 25 August 2018 - 03:40 PM.

[Marco1972]

Thanks for the replies

Yes as described above
So it’s not broke then and I’ve been pulling my hair out for nothing
I had no idea it had this function built into the side lights
I thought it had a parasitic drain or something like that

To be honest I brought the car 6 years ago drove it home ( in the daylight ) and it’s been in bits ever since

Cheers
Mark

[Bat]

Hi,

It was fitted in preparation for upcoming legislation that in the end never happened.

All cars to that era had it fitted and then discontinued at the next model update.

Cheers 

[Marco1972]

?
You have no idea how relieved I am ?
Just proves every day is a learning day
??

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

It was actually a well thought out piece of legisation introduced by the British government and was fitted to cars sold in the UK from 1987 to about 1995.  The ideas behind it were well researched and supported by the Association of Chief Police Officers, ROSPA and the Institute of Public Lighting Engineers, but it's legality was challenged by the Society of Motor Vehicle Manufactures and Traders and the EC commission prosecuted the UK government in the European Court of Justice and stopped its use continuing.  I remember cars with it fitted and thought it was good to have but a lot of people on here consider it unreliable or unnecessary.  It isn't required by law now so it is personal preference whether you have it or not.

 

Further reading for those interested in such things:

 

http://dastern.torqu...ocs/dimdip.html

 

http://dastern.torqu...cs/DimDip2.html

[cal844]

You can actually bridge the relay by connecting two wires together. Search the forum

[gazza82]

Now we have LED daylight running lights .. not sure if that is a plus or not ..

[Bat]

Now we have LED daylight running lights .. not sure if that is a plus or not ..

Hi,

Not a fan. If they're bright enough that they need to be dimmed so you can see the indicators then they should comply with dipped beam aim regulations! 

Cheers 

[Sean C]

You can actually bridge the relay by connecting two wires together. Search the forum

Cal, I've searched the forum and can't find anything about the relay to bridge it out. I have a Mini 30 and have this problem of the dipped lights being on slightly with the side lights. Cheers, Sean

[GraemeC]

As above, it’s not a ‘problem’ it is how it was designed and is working perfectly.
Why change it?

[cal844]

As above, it’s not a ‘problem’ it is how it was designed and is working perfectly.
Why change it?

Because you get brighter sidelights and less wires to burn out?

Sean you simply search for Dim dip bypass there are 3 or 4 threads on it

Edited by cal844, 29 August 2018 - 02:00 PM.

[GraemeC]

Because you get brighter sidelights and less wires to burn out

Do you get brighter sidelights? I though get the dim/dip arrangement left the sidelights on and added reduced dim beam? Even if not, I doubt it reduces the voltage to the dip beam to take them below 5W output.

And the wires are no more likely to burn out as any high current wires will carry much less load than they are designed for under normal dip beam use.

The only real issue is if the connectors corrode or the resistor fails. At that point it is probably better to remove than fix. But if it is working, why change it?