Dipped Beam Always On

Hi

Well, I am new here and this is my first post.

My LR 90 (1988) has developed a strange lighting problem. Both headlights are permanently on dipped beam. This happens regardless of whether the lights are switched on or off, or whether the ignition is on or off. If I switch everything off, lock up and walk away. The two headlights will remain on dipped beam. No other lights will be on, tail lights, side lights etc. The only way to put them out is to pull the two fuses.

I have done a bit of fault finding within the limitation of the Haynes manual wiring diagram and I am begining to suspect the Voltage Transformer (Dim-Dip Regulator Thingy) or the steering column switch. The actual lighting on off switch checks out Ok with my test meter.

Any advice / experience of this type of fault appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Tom

you need a new column stalk welkcome by the way

Hey Tillson old boy.

I have a '89 90 but it hasn't got none of your fancy regulator thingies, I take it you mean the dewberrything that puts your headlights on a lower wattage when you've just got your sidelights on. Anyhow I've had loads of electrical problems, and so far they've all been sorted by cleaning and vaselining the contacts on the respective switches and fuses.

If you can't get hold of any vaseline do a post on the gaylander bit.

Thanks for the quick response and advice chaps. My 90s log book says that it is a 1987 not an 89 as I said in my first post.

It has this "black box" behind the speedo that puts the headlighs on Dim-Dip if you switch the ignition on whilst on side lights. I assume it must have a couple of relays and a resistor in there, but it appears to be sealed and has cooling fins on the outside. I've pulled the six pin connector out of the back, and all of my problems have gone away! Well Land Rover related ones anyway.

Of course, by doing this, I have lost the dim-dip function meaning that it is possible to drive around on side lights. I think dim-dip is mandatory after
87 ???? So it might fail an MoT???

It is easy enough to replace but I don't know how much this unit is. I'm thinking I could do without it until I find a cheapo one somewhere.Can't find them on Ebay and there doesn't seem to be much about them on the net.

Anyway, thanks for your suggestions and quick responses.

Regards

Tom

Mine got through its MOT with the sidelights coming on independantly, though that dosn't mean it's legal.

Could you get round it by wiring the side lights to the main and dip beam circuits?

I have just asked a friend about Dim Dip legal requirments. Apparently it is no longer a legal requirement in the UK. It was for a short period during the 80's / 90s but not any longer.

So for future reference, if anyone experiences a fault with there unit (my symptom was dipped beam always on and not able to switch off) pull the plug out of it. (Located behind speedo. Black box about the size of a credit card with cooling fins) The lighting system then works fine. First stage of switch side lights, second dipped / main beam.

Thanks again for the help and advice. This is a good forum.

Cheers

Tom

They are actually very easy to repair. Normally the two transistors have overheated.
The later version ( mid 90's) is smaller, has a different plug, and is not so simple to repair.
Why bother? well I don't like putting main beam on just because it's a bit overcast, but if you put the sides on and forget to go to full beam later in an area with lots of streetlights so you don't notice, then you are still just as visible.

Bee said:

They are actually very easy to repair. Normally the two transistors have overheated.
The later version ( mid 90's) is smaller, has a different plug, and is not so simple to repair.
Why bother? well I don't like putting main beam on just because it's a bit overcast, but if you put the sides on and forget to go to full beam later in an area with lots of streetlights so you don't notice, then you are still just as visible.

Click to expand...

Hi bee, how do you repair the unit? what parts do i need?

Ta Luke