Headlight main beam
Headlight main beam
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Discussion

CTE

Original Poster:

1,521 posts

269 months

Monday 19th February 2007
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My car (S1) continually burns out the headlight control switch (right hand control). I have fitted 3 or four now in the last year or so (second hand MK3 Escort parts thankfully). The penny has now dropped that something else may be wrong?
The Steve Heath wiring diagram shows a dim dip module and a relay(Ford parts??). Someone has fitted two VW/Audi 40A relays to my car, which I guess are related to the problem.
The side lights work fine, but the main beam does not. When I fit a new control switch, it all works for a short while. I can get the main beam to work on the flash control, but this is obviously not very convenient.
Does anyone know how it should be wired, or what control relays should be used?
Its a shame because the car is running like a dream with its Cosworth V6, but its a pain having to be back by dusk!

Psychobert

6,318 posts

285 months

Monday 19th February 2007
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Just a thought, are you running uprated bulbs? I swapped to 100w, (for off road use) hehe then promptly burnt out my fuse box..

nawarne

3,178 posts

289 months

Tuesday 20th February 2007
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From your post, I think I understand that the switch burns out when you put the headlights on??

If so I would almost certainly say that it is a relay fault - as the purpose of the relay is to switch with a low current and allow the relay to pass the high current to the 'consumer'.

I would check the wiring digram in 'The Bible' or the owners handbook versus what you have in the car. An auto sparks should be able to sort this out fairly quickly.
Nick

Tripps

5,814 posts

301 months

Tuesday 20th February 2007
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Psychobert said:
Just a thought, are you running uprated bulbs? I swapped to 100w, (for off road use) hehe then promptly burnt out my fuse box..
Might have to get some work done, as I was planning a little off-road usage in the near future

ralph s3

354 posts

282 months

Tuesday 20th February 2007
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I had an S1 12 years ago that had this problem. On investigation I discovered that the wiring did not go through a relay and that the current was melting the switch terminals. The fix was to put my own relay in the circuit. I would check that you really do have a relay in the light circuit before you do anything else.

CTE

Original Poster:

1,521 posts

269 months

Tuesday 20th February 2007
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Thanks for your comments. I have a feeling that ralph3 might have the answer!