Help needed ASAP - WTF is this....

Short version of the story. Side lights on all the time even with key out and burning smell. Checked the switch, all ok. Traced the problem to the box in pics which sits behind the speedo/clocks and is red hot! When unplugged the lights go out so this is at fault, only thing is I don't know what it's called? Is it a rectifier? A relay? Local LR center didn't know either when I described it to them. Really need to get it fixed tomorrow so any help appreciated

Oh sorry, and I can't see any part numbers on it, on lucas 12v??? Thanks

dim dip relay,google prc8123

Absolute legend as usual James. thanks mate

no probs ,some are screwed from the other side ,to make life easier just cable tie a new one somewhere suitable and leave old one where it is

Do you know if they're specicific to defender James? Would a disco one fit. Only reason I ask is local LR Center said they're £120+vat and special order and there is one on eBay for 7quid? Bit of a difference.

as far as i know they fit a few models of certain ages def disco and rrc, i usually get a used one when needed as they are £100 ish

Thanks mate. Have been doing some searching and it looks like the norm is to bypass it as its no longer legislation. Going to do some reading and maybe have a go at that. Thanks again for your help

***CrAiG*** said:

Thanks mate. Have been doing some searching and it looks like the norm is to bypass it as its no longer legislation. Going to do some reading and maybe have a go at that. Thanks again for your help

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just unplug it and leave it at that.

If it is a dim-dip resistor, then link it out. The one on our 90 is, and (apparently) the headlights have worked in the past! Just make sure the wiring is all connected up right and is a heavy enough gauge for the current.

Dim-dip was a UK only regulation from the late 80's I think. As the name suggests, it makes dipped beam dimmer by putting a big resistor in series with the bulbs. Compared to lighting set-ups on more modern cars, it makes old-tech, dim headlamps even dimmer. I keep meaning to link out the resistor on my old Golf!

ratty said:

just unplug it and leave it at that.

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Cheers ratty. That's what I've done in the end I found a piece of info online saying the older style 'black box' just needs to be unplugged as you said. Result. All back together and working fine now.