unknown relay

I presently have a Disco I, 300 TDi, dated Feb 1995 (i.e. the last models before the fly by wire came in), it is a former english car (RHD)

I noticed when reinstalling the battery I heard the click of an activated relay, and I measured some 150 mA idle current

after some click-hunting the culprit was found in the small closet at the passenger's feet : a relay that is always activated even with ignition key taken out

On Rave I found a 1995 electrical manual but covering LHD cars, while it is usually helpful for other areas, it wasn't in this case: it shows 3 relays and several connectors in this area, while I only have 2 relays and nothing else

there are a relay on a yellow socket and another on a blue socket (the latter being my culprit) the wire colors don't match any of those given in the manual (my colors are blue-red, brown-purple, solid black and brown-orange)

I took the relay off to check what it controls, and didn't find anything, all accessories seems to function as usual

if someone with an english 1994-1995 car could shed some light, not on the relay itself as I can do it with my torch, but on it's supposed function, that would be much welcome !

could it be linked to the alarm system ?

I noticed the bonnet switch is broken so that might explain the relay being energized (I took the alarm fuse long ago since I don't have any fob, but it might only control the horn)

Looking in the RAVE Electrical Troubleshooting Manual for the 1995MY D1, it's the Dim-Dip Relay -







It doesn't say whether it should be on permanently (I wouldn't have thought that it should be )

The relay's earth wire (Black) goes to the MFU which, I guess, switches the relay to power the dipped beam, via the resistor, when sidelights are selected and the engine is running.


Dim-Dip is no longer required in the UK and can be removed without incurring MOT problems, I don't know what the situation is in France.


Try unplugging the relay and then test your headlights.

You should get - sidelights - dipped beam - main beam

If that's the case, then leave it unplugged.

.

thanks, Paul, now I understand why that big resistor on the bulkhead close to the washing liquid reservoir ...
so I can put the relay in my spares stock and close the passengers cardboard cover !

the dim-dip has never been mandatory in France, at least for cars (it is for motorcycles) they only "recommended" to use lights at daytime

edit:
from what follows it seems removing the dim-dip function can be considered part of the "continentalization" I already made by changing the headlights etc :
"In 1988, the European Commission successfully prosecuted the UK government in the European Court of Justice, arguing that the UK requirement for dim-dip was illegal under EC directives prohibiting member states from enacting vehicle lighting requirements not contained in pan-European EC directives. As a result, the UK requirement for dim-dip was quashed. Nevertheless, dim-dip systems remain permitted, and while such systems are not presently as common as they once were, dim-dip functionality was fitted on many new cars well into the 1990s"

Dim-dip is fitted to D1s up to 1998 so well into the 1990s.
As I have LED side lights the lights looked a bit odd with dim-dip is actvated when the engine is running, I just isolated the system by pulling the plug at the resistor..Job done.

You do have an accessary relay which will switch but only when you turn the ignition switch to position one