headlights

[methodwares]

dipped beams would not work tonight, so i made sure i followed close to the car in front all the way home not to get busted and flashed all the time. the main beams work fine. This morning, using dipped beams it was fine, but they would not switch off, so i unplugged the control box and it was fine, didn't check to see if they worked after that.

i've checked both control boxes, they seem fine though i haven't checked voltage and i haven't had time to check the fuses tonight.

wondering if i cooked the box by unpluging it...

[methodwares]

ok, just been out to it, the fuse is ok and the headlights (dipped beams) work; but turning the switch to the first click the dipped beams come on instead of just the side lights and the second click its correct with the dipped beams and the sidelights. there is no difference in the lights between the first click and the second.

so.... is the control box malfunctioning to give the dipped beams on the first click? and if so, can they be repaired?

[alinton]

Unlikely you cooked it.

I've got probs with my box at the moment, I think a transistor that drives the dip relay has failed, so I've temporarily wired the dips to the sidelights.

Do you know any other Cerb owners nearby you borry a control box from, just to see if it is that box that is the problem?

After examining the inside of the box the other day it doesn't seem likely that a fault in that box could cause your problem - but I'd like to see a circuit diagram of that box and the dim/dip box and how they interconnect to be sure.

Wonder does anyone have those circuit diagrams?

Andy.

[mike_e]

Dip beam will come on with sidelights because the control box has a dim-dip function. It supplies the dip beam with reduced volts at the first click of the switch and full volts on the second click.

[Ireland]

Andy,

You have mail.

J.J.

[Steve_T]

Would probably be prudent to take the box apart and check for burnt out connections, a Cerby favourite.

Steve.

[methodwares]

mike_e said:

Dip beam will come on with sidelights because the control box has a dim-dip function. It supplies the dip beam with reduced volts at the first click of the switch and full volts on the second click.

ah, that sounds like the problem, after looking at it again, it doesn't seem to be applying full voltage on the second click. i'll open the box. a circuit diagram would also be helpful so i could check to see if the signal from the second click is getting there.

also, any cerb owners in or near stockport listening? i've brought it to work again today so if you'd be willing to swap the box....

thanks

john

[Steve_T]

If you're not getting dip beam, only the dim beam, pound to a penny you have a burnt out connection. No wiring diagram needed, just a soldering iron and some replacement connectors.

Steve.

[methodwares]

just pulled the box apart, it all looks good, nothing burnt... but it's loaded with siemens relays which, based on the fact I work with them, are most likely at fault. i'll get a multimeter out and see what's going wrong

[Steve_T]

Good job I'm not a betting man then! Are both boxes ok?

[methodwares]

yep, both are ok, trying track down the multimeter at work.... a wire diagram would be helpful if someone can email me, or just which wires are for the first click and the second. i can always put a temp jump in place to force them to work on the first click

[Steve_T]

I'm going from memory here, but I remember blue with a red stripe and blue with a white stripe as the wiring colours that drive the dip and mainbeam for the headlights. Or at least that's what I remember from the business end when I re-did the headlight wiring. Which drives dip and which drives main beam I couldn't tell you, but hopefully the colour code is carried back to the boxes in the boot.

Steve.

[methodwares]

our man in charge of the electical stuff here (useless) can't find it, and, he adds, there is no battery in it anyways. nice, i'll leave work early then and have a play when i get home.

thanks for the colors of the wires, i'll have a gander later and let you know if you're right.

wiring diagram anyone?

[alinton]

Have you checked the other box, the dim/dip control box, on the right hand side? That sometimes melts its connectors.

[methodwares]

Found the problem! It didn't take too long once I got the time to actually look for it. One of the relays in the 'lights switching unit' has broken. I can still hear it trying and it doesn't stink so it hasn't let out it's magic smoke.

I'm guessing this can be replaced, but the problem is I can't find the correct relay at either RS or Farnell. The one I need ends in A308 where as all the ones I find end in A303 (siemens V23072-C1061-A308 to be exact) which have the wrong pin out and are only single throw not the double like the 308. And is anyone good with a soldering iron; I can get by but this might need a steady hand.

If it can't be repaired, anyone have a spare one they'd be willing to sell or an idea how much one is going to cost?

[southendpier]

methodwares said:

Found the problem! It didn't take too long once I got the time to actually look for it. One of the relays in the 'lights switching unit' has broken. I can still hear it trying and it doesn't stink so it hasn't let out it's magic smoke.

I'm guessing this can be replaced, but the problem is I can't find the correct relay at either RS or Farnell. The one I need ends in A308 where as all the ones I find end in A303 (siemens V23072-C1061-A308 to be exact) which have the wrong pin out and are only single throw not the double like the 308. And is anyone good with a soldering iron; I can get by but this might need a steady hand.

If it can't be repaired, anyone have a spare one they'd be willing to sell or an idea how much one is going to cost?

I had to get a new box since my internal connectors had started to corrode and short and frankly I could not be arsed to solder new connectors etc as some more able cerbie owners have. got it from racetech 60ish notes. there are some available a scrap dealers if you put a search out. findapart co.uk or somesuch should be good enough cost about the same though.

[southendpier]

methodwares said:

'lights switching unit' has broken.

I'm guessing this can be replaced,

an idea how much one is going to cost?

I had to get a new box since my internal connectors had started to corrode and short and frankly I could not be arsed to solder new connectors etc as some more able cerbie owners have. got it from racetech www.racetechdirect.co.uk 60ish notes. there are some available a scrap dealers if you put a search out. findapart co.uk or somesuch should be good enough cost about the same though.

Edited by southendpier on Thursday 28th December 20:58

[methodwares]

Thanks, i'll get one of those... i'll keep the old one for spare parts in case another relay goes. Tried all search engines and calling RS and Farnell, can't find anyone that can get me that relay.