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Teario



Member Since: 04 Aug 2015
Location: Merseyside
Posts: 148

1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Rioja Red
Headlight troubleshooting
I'm having some trouble diagnosing an issue I've got with my headlights and hoping someone can give me a pointer. It's a 300tdi. I was driving home in the dark and suddenly both headlights went out. The sidelights work fine, it's the main lights which do not work.

If I put the light switch to position 1, I get sidelights. If I push it further to position 2 I still only get sidelights.
On the other light stalk, if I pull it towards me to temporarily flash high beams, I get both high beams. However if I push it the other way for permanent high beams I get nothing.

According to the back of the fuse panel, there are 4 fuses and a relay forming part of the light circuit

Click image to enlarge


First step, I checked the fuses here in the bottom left, the 4 marked 7.5:

Click image to enlarge



All of those were fine, so I checked the relay marked "Head Lamps".

Click image to enlarge


The 2 yellow relays either side of the black appear to be the same layout from looking at the diagram on them, so I tried both of the yellows in place of the black and neither of them made a difference to the lights.

I started thinking maybe it's a coincidence and both bulbs have gone at the same time, but looking at the bulbs they appear fine. I replaced them anyway and the brand new ones also do not work.

So after looking it up on here I saw that it's a common fault for the switch to fail. Here's the switch that was in there:

Click image to enlarge


Kind of difficult to see but there is some heat related damage to the plastic on the switch. I bridged the connection from blue to brown (top left to bottom left) as that's what it looked like the result of position 2 would be on the switch, but again that gave me sidelights and no headlights.

Just to rule it out, I bought a new switch anyway and replaced that. Same deal, both 1 and 2 positions only give sidelights and I have no permanent high beam even with a brand new switch.

Are there any other usual suspects or anyone got any other suggestions? I have no other ideas what it could be so figured I would defer to the far greater knowledge of the forum before I take it in somewhere.
Post #648665 6th Sep 2017 7:14pm
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ickle



Member Since: 22 Jul 2010
Location: South Vendee
Posts: 1726

France 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Alpine White
column mounted main dip switch fail as well, replace switch and fit a relayed loom. Thumbs Up
Post #648667 6th Sep 2017 7:19pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19452

United Kingdom 
^^^^ This. But do consider fitting a Relayed loom. Diesels Lives Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️
And if You Love the Country, then we’re on the same side ~
I got’ love for Britain, I got’ British pride’. 🇬🇧
Post #648686 6th Sep 2017 8:20pm
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Teario



Member Since: 04 Aug 2015
Location: Merseyside
Posts: 148

1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Rioja Red
Thanks chaps, got a new switch and relayed loom on their way.
Hopefully I'll be able to go out in the dark again soon Smile
Post #649198 9th Sep 2017 8:20pm
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Mech



Member Since: 23 Oct 2013
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 87

United Kingdom 
when you say dip switch, are you referring to the main stalk? The one that has the horn on it also?

-Mech
Post #655032 5th Oct 2017 12:33am
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Teario



Member Since: 04 Aug 2015
Location: Merseyside
Posts: 148

1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Rioja Red
Yep, that's the one.



Click image to enlarge
Post #655660 7th Oct 2017 5:56pm
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Petrovich



Member Since: 24 Jan 2008
Location: Sankt-Peterburg
Posts: 75

Russia 
Right now I have the same problem with my Puma 2007
Sorry for my poor English (learnt on Essex streets) but I didn't find correct translation for "RELAYED LOOM"
Do you mind guys to explain meself
If with pictures - would be excellent! Defender 110 '07
Post #655760 8th Oct 2017 1:14am
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Alien



Member Since: 18 Jan 2015
Location: Bacchus Marsh
Posts: 230

Australia 
A relayed loom reduces the current through the switch.
A couple of examples...
http://www.paddockspares.com/boomslang-per...-loom.html
http://www.traxide.com.au/headlight-wiring-kits/ Cheers,
Kyle.
Post #655761 8th Oct 2017 1:53am
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Petrovich



Member Since: 24 Jan 2008
Location: Sankt-Peterburg
Posts: 75

Russia 

Alien

TA! Defender 110 '07
Post #655774 8th Oct 2017 7:23am
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