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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: JMallows on 25 August 2004, 23:57

Title: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: JMallows on 25 August 2004, 23:57
There is a problem with my lights, and i don't know where to begin looking. Switch on dipped beam, fine except for the spots are glowing, really dim, but just about on. Turn om high beam, fine on most occasions, sometimes only the left hand side lights up, the right is just sidelights. Switch off high beam, no light whatsoever, then real slowly the dipped beam "fades" back in. The same way the sidelights come on with the dim dip system. Its as though the lights \re controlled by the dim dip, but they can't be! HAve tried unplugging the dim dip connectr to no avail. The only thing i did notice was a relay going mad in the fusebox every now and again. Took off the cover to determine which it was (typically stopped clicking!) The relay in the bottom row, second from left was very hot (relay number 17, i think in location 8) so i thought it was that relay, but the one above that was doing the clicking (relay number 1 location 2). I didn't think the lights were relay controlled? In the haynes manual, it says relay location 8 is the relief relay for the X contact. I think this may have something to do with the lights, in the wiring diagram for the light switch, it goes throgh a relay, to a line marked X, is the same X? And why is the relay above clicking so randomly. Also, should the relay get hot in operation? Could it be a short somewhere?
Title: Re: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: Dizzie on 26 August 2004, 00:42
have you tried changing the switch and relay?
Title: Re: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: JMallows on 26 August 2004, 10:56
I'm going to try getting two new relays today. Do you mean the switch attatched to the wiper stalk? I took it apart, couldn't see anything wrong with it... I did replace a little while ago cos the wipers kept fusing due to the switch being broken, so i do have a new switch.
Title: Re: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: rubjonny on 26 August 2004, 16:09
Have you tried changing the switch on the dash as well?
Title: Re: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: JMallows on 27 August 2004, 11:22
Welll, i relpaced the two relays, to no effect ?:(

Have you tried changing the switch on the dash as well?

What, the switch to turn on sidelights/headlights? No, i haven't. Won't do much though will it? ???? I did also try unplugging the dim dip thing, but it didn't help either. I really don't want to have to take it into the garage...
Title: Re: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: Gambit on 27 August 2004, 11:34
sounds more like a bad earth to me
Title: Re: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: JMallows on 27 August 2004, 11:51
That was one thing i had thought of... But i don't where the Earths are for the lights? I'm assuming its an earth for each side, as only the left works?
Title: Re: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: dub855 on 30 August 2004, 20:34
i got a simlar/weird problem.
When i have just side lights on, the dipped as you say fades in and remains on.
Haven't got a clue whats causing it, so have just learned not to have just side lights on lol. More noticable on mine with the rallye front.

If have get an answer please let me know!

Luke
Title: Re: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: JMallows on 01 September 2004, 20:01
i got a simlar/weird problem.
When i have just side lights on, the dipped as you say fades in and remains on.
Haven't got a clue whats causing it, so have just learned not to have just side lights on lol. More noticable on mine with the rallye front.

If have get an answer please let me know!

Luke

Yeah, sure thing. Surely someone must have an idea about this. A few people I've asked have said have said earth fault. I don't know where the Earthing points are though, someone must be able to help with that?  ???  :-\ But, if it is a faulty earth, then surely this would affect other systems??
Title: Re: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: Veedubgt18v on 01 September 2004, 20:08


Have you tried changing the switch on the dash as well?

What, the switch to turn on sidelights/headlights? No, i haven't. Won't do much though will it? ???? I did also try unplugging the dim dip thing, but it didn't help either. I really don't want to have to take it into the garage...
Quote

these become worn internally or the wiring plug can become bad resulting in poor connections. cut the wiring plug off the back of the dash switch and use spade connectors to redo all the wiring connections to the switch, see if that works before you spend loadsa dosh
Title: Re: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: JMallows on 02 September 2004, 12:25
Cheers. I did try a multimeter on the terminals, and most of the combinations said 12V.  Don't think this is right... I'll take the switch apart and see if it looks bad.... I did test the two Earts of this switch to an earth, and were both connected. But, a lot of the others were too!?
Title: Re: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: JMallows on 03 September 2004, 12:16
Ok, the switch looked a little worn inside etc... Cleaned it up, put vaseline on it etc... It didn't really do anything except make the switch work nicely again!  :(

The terminals on the back all looked fine. Does anyone know where all the earths are?
Title: Re: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: Veedubgt18v on 03 September 2004, 17:56
i dont know but i suspect they go to the fusebox then earth off that with everything else to one of the main earth points in the car, there are various ones dotted around under the bonnet and around the dash and the left hand side of the boot
Title: Re: A Little Help With Lighting...
Post by: JMallows on 05 September 2004, 18:57
Cheers. I tested the earts for the two relays, and i got a connection between that and the screw for the door switch, so the earhs work fine. IIt could be a supply instead? Going to check the earth for the dip/flasher switch next