Dim Dip Module
Dim Dip Module
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Discussion

mikee boy

Original Poster:

967 posts

281 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
Recently my headlights have been staying on when the ignition is turned off, meaning I have to dosconnect the battery earth lead to avoid draining the battery overnight! Using the 'S Bible' I think I've doscovered the problem...

The Dim Dip module maintains a connection between terminals 3 and 6 which allows the permanent live to feed to the lights. I don't think it should do this. I've taken it apart and it's full of circuitry and smells a bit burnt but there are no signs of damage.

So:

Does anybody have the part number for one?

Can anybody do a continuity check across terminals 3 and 6 to see if my theory is correct. They look quite expensive so I don't want to but one if it's not the culprit.

Thanks in advance. Please note the dim/dip module is the strange black box tie-wrapped to the windscreen wiper motor!



Edited by mikee boy on Sunday 17th May 14:58

Gerald-TVR

4,896 posts

227 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
Hi Mike

I think I've got a spare which you are welcome to borrow for testing purposes, could you post a pic and I'll check tomorrow

Norman

mikee boy

Original Poster:

967 posts

281 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
Thanks Norman

It's the same module as you found here (I've only just found this thread). Thanks for the offer to post, however if you could let me know if there is a continual connection between terminals 3 and 6 that would allow me to work out if mine's broken or not.

I've been Googling for hours but I can't find the part number!

Jed-S

660 posts

246 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
I've put a meter on mine and pins 3 - 6 has no continuity and I've tried the leads both ways round.

Why not just remove it and throw it away? It will work without it but you obviously lose the dim dip function.

mikee boy

Original Poster:

967 posts

281 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
Jed

Thanks for checking, mine is obviously bust!

I read on a Land Rover forum it isn't needed, but I wand't sure whether that was just for a LR (which has the same module but with only 5 pins). Assuming I don't need one, I'll get the old girl back together. Thanks for the help.

tvrgit

8,489 posts

282 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
Dim-dip was a legal requirement on all new cars from the mid-eighties, for use instead of sidelamps (car too hard to see) or dipped beams (too much glare hiding pedestrians etc) in built-up areas.

The legal requirement was dropped after only a few years, so the function is no longer required.

Gerald-TVR

4,896 posts

227 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
Hi Mike

Dont have good testing kit I'm affraid anyway

Norman

mikee boy

Original Poster:

967 posts

281 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
Thanks everybody for the help.

It's back together and working again so I don't need to replace it. Saved me a job.

Last S4

504 posts

215 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
mikee boy said:
Thanks everybody for the help.

It's back together and working again so I don't need to replace it. Saved me a job.
If its just started working then it sounds like the contacts are sticking (from arcing over the years). It will happen again I am sure. Just be prepared for it.

mikee boy

Original Poster:

967 posts

281 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
Last S4 said:
mikee boy said:
Thanks everybody for the help.

It's back together and working again so I don't need to replace it. Saved me a job.
If its just started working then it sounds like the contacts are sticking (from arcing over the years). It will happen again I am sure. Just be prepared for it.
What I meant was it's all back together EXCEPT the module and the lights are working correctly, i.e. not staying on when the ignition is turned off. Knowing what I know now if I didn't have a problem with mine I'd sill remove it because it's a matter of time before it goes wrong, and it offers almost no benefit.