Headlights - Flash and Main Beam

[Davrianman]

Hi Chaps,

Can you please tell me how the lights operate on the standard car? I am using a Mk4 Ford Escort stalk, so I am just working out the circuit... Is this functionality correct?....

When you have headlights switched on, pushing the stalk away will switch to full beam. With lights off, obviously nothing happens.

Pulling stalk towards you switches on both main beam and headlights in all light switch positions..

Is this correct? If so what type of relay do you use? I don't think the standard unit will be correct...

Sorry if this is a bit confusing, but I am confused!

Cheers, Mart

[crafty]

+1 ... I've been looking at changing my switches, if anyone's got a wiring diagram they can post for Ford stalks that would be great.

[Steve_D]

From what I hear the stalks can look similar but have completely different circuits and connections so having not done the mod I can't advise.
Keith (Ditto) has done it and said there was very little he had to change and I believe he used the factory relays.

Steve

[Stig]

Steve_D said:

From what I hear the stalks can look similar but have completely different circuits and connections so having not done the mod I can't advise.
Keith (Ditto) has done it and said there was very little he had to change and I believe he used the factory relays.

Steve

This was what I found. I used several stalks and found them to be subtly different in wiring. It's quite easy to graft the stalks into the existing loom once you work out how they operate.

Re. the driving/main beams, I changed the standard setup (using seperate relays for each mode of operation) for the driving/main beam, as the standard relay is quite prone to failing.

[Steve_D]

Stig said:

.... as the standard relay is quite prone to failing.

Good point.
Mine failed when first installed and went back. The replacement failed after a couple of weeks on the road so I dismantled it, found the problem, and modified it. Has been OK since.

Steve

[Davrianman]

I now have a Haynes Manual for the Ford Escort, so will try to work out the wiring and post some diagrams. By the look of it the Escort Mk4 uses 2 relays, so I will probably do the same as you Stig, using 2 seperate relays instead of using the Ultima unit.

Cheers, Mart

[ditto]

Steve_D said:

From what I hear the stalks can look similar but have completely different circuits and connections so having not done the mod I can't advise.
Keith (Ditto) has done it and said there was very little he had to change and I believe he used the factory relays.

Steve

I had 3 sets of stalks and all of mine were the same (maybe I was just lucky) but I didn’t use the factory relay if you mean the one that changes dip to main beam I threw that one away and bought 2 new relays and changed the wiring to suit.
Martin mail me your number through my profile if you need any help

Keith