gav- Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 I have custom build wiring loom for my vehicle, which combines Part Land Rover Discovery, Acewell and Megasquirt wiring diagrams I have a problem which I can not fathom, but think I have a short circuit on the column switch or something else but I cant find it, anywhere. The problem, (its only small!) The main beam dash indicator light is dimly lit when the dipped beam switch is on. With the dipped beam switch on there is 5.3v on the wire to the dash light. This is enough to light the bulb. When the main beam switched on there is 9.4v on this wire, which lights the dash light brilliantly. I think there is a short in the discovery steering wheel switch, however is there a cheaper alternative than having to purchase a new column switch? Is there a electrical device which only allows current to flow if the voltage is above 9v?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbarton Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 Sounds more like a bad earth at the headlights. Is there a electrical device which only allows current to flow if the voltage is above 9v?? That would be fixing the symptoms, not the fault. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 Does sound like a bad earth. That would be fixing the symptoms, not the fault. I agree, not a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gav- Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 Because its a custom built i dont have the dip dim unit that is normally fitted to the discovery. Hence why I am looking for something to assist. I have read posts where the dip dim unit has been bypassed, but that seems that it indicates that the main and dip remain on when the main beam switch is on. This is something that I cant have. (IVA reasons!!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Anything like that can be solved by a) getting the wiring working correctly, without fudging it. b) using a simple relay or two to make sure you get the right functionality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gav- Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 although i think i can do this with a series of resistors, it may work????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Why oh why?! Solve the problem, not the symptoms! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 although i think i can do this with a series of resistors, it may work????? You may dim the light enough not to notice, but a handfull of resistors is not going to fix the actual problem. Given that you're IVA'ing it it seems a bit arse-about-face to want to bodge the electrics. Last I looked your car will fail an IVA if it's too on fire. It can't be that hard to buzz out the light switch, work out what connects to what and then wire it up properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 check the connections on the back of the indicator/dip/main/horn stalk, it maybe one of the connections is touching the main beam connection & feeding the main beam circuit & the dash warning light Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbarton Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 If you're using relay(s) there is more than one place where the tell-tale could be connected. Can you let us have a circuit diagram of your actual setup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwfr1 Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I used to have the same problem. It was my stalk, it was the contacts/wires moving and shorting sorted with new stalk so could be your wiring from however u switch the lights I would suggest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gav- Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 I just wanted to post the conclusion to this as its annoying when searching topics only to not find out the outcome. I doubt that the conclusion will help any body though as you would have to be stupid to do this!! Anyway, the problem is from when I connected the headlights up 8 years ago. They only operated on 2 switches for main and dip. I am now using H4 bulbs and a discovery stalk so that I can get through an IVA. The headlights have never been used! The problem was I had wired up the connector to the bulb incorrectly!!! 4 discovery stalks later and the eureka moment happened this morning at 10:15. Very happy now! Sorry for the waste of your time and should have checked the basics first! but 8 years ago is a long time to forget!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Glad you found the problem, you haven't wasted our or your time, it's all good info that might just help others have a 'eureka' mpment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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