Marekfelin Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 I have had an intermittent problem with side and head lights on my defender. I have replaced both the main switch and the pink dim/dip relay behind the dash. This worked for about two days, then lost both side and head lights again - not worked since. I tested a few things with a multi meter this morning and it appears I have no power to either the main switch or the dim/dip relay. Can any one help? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frax Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Check to see if there is power leaving the relay, You should also have a thing (can't remember its name) inside the passengers side wing that does the dim dip as per pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 If you have no power to the lighting switch, the brown wire into the switch, then check the fuse box either on the left side of the bulkhead under the bonnet, or themain fuse box elsewhere, under the drivers seat, You will not be able to buy one of those fuses in Halfords Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekfelin Posted December 28, 2015 Author Share Posted December 28, 2015 Thanks for the replies. I will check out both suggestions however: my main fuse box is below the centre console, in front of the gear stick and I have power to the fuses which I have checked. I also have power to the headlight relay underneath the fuses and the relay is working. As far as I was aware the dim dip is done by the pink relay behind the dash to the right of the steering column on mine? I have a late 300Tdi SW which is different to what you have described. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 It sounds like the relay has failed , have you checked the power out of the relay ? and don't forget the ignition needs to be on for headlights to work cheers Steveb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekfelin Posted December 28, 2015 Author Share Posted December 28, 2015 Thanks for all the advice, but I have found the problem. Someone had bypassed the main fuse under the bonnet with a small piece of wire under the fuse carrier that had melted/broken. I have now rewired and put the fuse back the way it should be. My problem is now solved, but I am curious as to why someone wanted to by pass the fuse in the first place. I will keep a watch for the fuse blowing. Thanks for all the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekfelin Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 As I suspected - after nearly two months of running without a problem with lights the main fuse under the bonnet, which was the problem I found has now blown. When I tried to replace the fuse, the replacement fuse blew within seconds. I tried a piece of wire across the terminal and the wire melted and I had some thing burning behind the dash. The current between the fuse terminals seems very high and live without the ignition on. I have been driving in some really rough wet weather over the last few days. My horn came on and stayed on yesterday after some deep water. I disconnected it and dried it out and is fine again now. Do you think my light fuse problem is water related? or any other suggestions please. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil110 Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 The basic function of a fuse is to protect the wiring. If you have burning smells from behind the dash that is where your problem lies and where you should look for the fault. Be handy if there were 2 of you, one to look for the problem whilst the other by-passes the failed fuse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aragorn Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 something will have chafed thru and be shorting out on the bodywork or similar. I dont think water could be to blame, resistance isnt likely to be low enough to smoke a 60A fuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 suggest a very close examination of the wiring that sits on each front inner wing, if chaffed through, it just shorts to earth on the metal inner wings & eventually pops the big fuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekfelin Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 Thanks for all the suggestions. I have found the burnt out wire that caused the smoke, but still looking for the cause. I'll keep looking and let you know. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekfelin Posted February 24, 2016 Author Share Posted February 24, 2016 You were right. I found the problem and it was a chaffing wire and nothing to do with water. I had to take the lower dash out to re- wire the damaged circuit. It was an education, because my wiring is far from standard - lots of add-ons and work around's. Got it sorted in the end - everything working as it should now. Thanks for all the help. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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