Electrical: Dim-dip

[Angie]

The dim-dip on my Torslanda has stopped working, I don't think it's anything to do with recent headlight change, the dipped beam is working, and dim-dip was working too for a while. Any ideas what might be the problem? I've checked the fuse but otherwise haven't a clue where else to look. I hope it's something I can do myself, recent garage bill means I don't want to incur any more expense for a while.

[Bugjam1999]

Hi,

So the headlight circuit is a tiny bit complicated with two relays, one within the dash and one near the battery under the bonnet. This page has a good explanation:

https://www.240turbo.com/headlightrelay.html

If the lights work at all, that suggests the main relay in the dash is working and the latching dim/dip relay next to the battery is at fault. I’m not sure how easy it would be to test it, but you could visually inspect it and the wires/connectors to it as a first step, I can see a few listed on eBay for not much money- but it’s be nice to know one definitely worked before buying.

Cheers

[Angie]

Originally Posted by Bugjam1999

Hi,

So the headlight circuit is a tiny bit complicated with two relays, one within the dash and one near the battery under the bonnet. This page has a good explanation:

https://www.240turbo.com/headlightrelay.html

If the lights work at all, that suggests the main relay in the dash is working and the latching dim/dip relay next to the battery is at fault. I’m not sure how easy it would be to test it, but you could visually inspect it and the wires/connectors to it as a first step, I can see a few listed on eBay for not much money- but it’s be nice to know one definitely worked before buying.

Cheers

Thanks for the link and the information, at least I now know where the relay is! I'd hoped it might have been a simple matter of a wire disconnected or broken but everything seems secure. I guess the garage would be able to test the relay and if faulty I'll have to search for a replacement. The link looks interesting, very well thought out and masses of information.

[Bob 1967]

Originally Posted by Angie

I hope it's something I can do myself, recent garage bill means I don't want to incur any more expense for a while.

I hope so too, the latching relays ain't cheap.
https://www.skandix.de/en/spare-part...-beam/1016421/
It could possibly be a old solder related problem and fixable.
The link Bugjam sent is useful, there may be an alternative to replacing the o.s relay there.
Best of luck.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Bugjam1999

Hi,

So the headlight circuit is a tiny bit complicated with two relays, one within the dash and one near the battery under the bonnet. This page has a good explanation:

https://www.240turbo.com/headlightrelay.html

If the lights work at all, that suggests the main relay in the dash is working and the latching dim/dip relay next to the battery is at fault. I’m not sure how easy it would be to test it, but you could visually inspect it and the wires/connectors to it as a first step, I can see a few listed on eBay for not much money- but it’s be nice to know one definitely worked before buying.

Cheers

Good advice, if the stepping relay is working the OP should be able to hear it click when the high beam is switched on.

It would be pretty simple for the OP to construct a rig to test the stepping relay, something like this:



... after momentarily closing the connection from 31b the relay should flip from dipped beam (from 56b) to high beam (56a); test using a voltmeter.



Afternote: whilst writing this I found a test procedure that says more or less the same thing as above:

https://www.davebarton.com/pdf/headlightsteprelay.pdf

Einfach?

[Big 240]

You can also try cleaning the switch mechanism on the base of the stalk. These can get gummed up with fluff and grime over the years.