First off, I am a newb, so if I'm posting in the wrong spot, my apologies. Moderators please move my post to the correct location.

I have no head lights or running lights. I checked or replaced the usual things... Steering column switch - its good. Fuses -all good. Headlamps -good!

Whats perplexing me is that I have power to the headlight switch via the brown wire -12V. When I push the switch forward to turn on the running or headlights, it has no power. Hence no power going forward to the fuses, relays or bulbs.

I keep reading about this dim/dip relay being problematic.. I just cant find it to test it. It's not behind the dash nor behind the fuse box. Are there other possible locations?

My 1998 Defender came from Germany -would it even have a dim/dip?

I could use a new lead, or enlightenment. This is my first Defender. (I'm still digging it, but I'd like to drive it.)

Have you checked the under bonnet fuse box

Green fuse for main lights

I had a similar headlight issue a while back that was eventually traced to the simplest of issues.
I spent too long over complicating the issue (as usual) looking for all the big things. I bought a new light switch, dip main switch, checked that dim dip relay thing, which had already been replaced with that by-pass wire thing, but still no good.

I then thought about it logically. Looked at the fuses and found that they were all grotty and a bit corroded. Cleaned them all up, along with the fuse holder/connector and all has been good since then.

Sorry, just re-read your post! it could be that the relay, which should be under the instrument panel has been bypassed, as in the pic below:

as @parptoot says, recheck the fuses if the switches are ok.

I believe the under bonnet fuse box you speak of is under the front passenger seat in my case. It includes a 30 amp fusible link which is intact and clean. No bypassed dim/dip behind the dash. I should add, the engine was just rebuilt. I don't know if that could make a difference or not. I had read that the dim/dip relay relied on the oil pressure sender to let it know the engine was running. Oil pressure sender is attached at engine end and dash light comes on at start up... so that's working. I'm quite perplexed. Something simple I'm sure.