Headlight Flasher Query - Gen.1 Vantage

[Jon39]

I think I know the answer to this, but will mention just in case I have misunderstood.

The headlight Dip/Full Beam stalk (some say from a Fiesta, others a Volvo model) is pulled towards the driver then released to change from dipped to full beam, then pulled towards the driver and released again, to change back from full beam to dipped.
Not very easy because there are two movements for every change, instead of the more usual one.

When driving with dipped beam in many cars, you can briefly pull the stalk towards you, for a quick flash of the main beam headlights.
With the Vantage that does not work, because a brief pull changes to main beam, which then remains on until you pull and release the stalk again.

Presumably then, the Vantage headlights cannot easily be quickly flashed.

[krisdelta]

Hi Jon, I may be incorrect but I think you can flash with a semi-pull towards the driver. I'll have a play tomorrow and confirm

[LTP]

Jon39 said:

Not very easy because there are two movements for every change, instead of the more usual one.

Many cars have used pull/pull for dip & main beam for years - every Volvo I've ever owned has dip/main that works this way

Jon39 said:

When driving with dipped beam in many cars, you can briefly pull the stalk towards you, for a quick flash of the main beam headlights.
With the Vantage that does not work, because a brief pull changes to main beam, which then remains on until you pull and release the stalk again.

Presumably then, the Vantage headlights cannot easily be quickly flashed.

Assuming your dip/main switch isn't broken, to change the dip or main you have to pull back on the stalk until it latches - the stalk then returns to the neutral position. If you're on dip and just pull back slightly without feeling it click into the "latched" position you just flash the headlights.

[Jon39]

LTP said:

Many cars have used pull/pull for dip & main beam for years - every Volvo I've ever owned has dip/main that works this way


Assuming your dip/main switch isn't broken, to change the dip or main you have to pull back on the stalk until it latches - the stalk then returns to the neutral position. If you're on dip and just pull back slightly without feeling it click into the "latched" position you just flash the headlights.

Thank you.
Your first comment suggests it might indeed be a Volvo part.

I will try pulling slightly back as you suggest. Perhaps I was too rough, thinking it would flash in the same way as two of my other cars.
With those (both different manufacturers), the stalks push away and stay for full beam, then back and stay for dipped beam. When in the dipped position, you can pull towards you against a spring, to produce the full beam flash. Seems logical and simple.

With the Aston / Volvo arrangement in bright light conditions, you cannot always tell if full beam is on, unless you look at the dashboard. I have occasionally accidentally gone from dip to full beam by mistake. Not good.
The simpler type enables you to just touch the stalk and know which beam is active, without taking your eyes off the road.

Please don't mention auto dipping, because I like sports cars where I am allowed to change the gears, turn on the wipers and operate a funny handbrake.

That reminds me. A neighbour's brand new Range Rover has repeatedly been back to the dealer, to try to stop the auto wipers operating on dry days. He told me it was probably a faulty sensor. I said the wiper sensor on my car sits behind the wheel and has never had a fault. -

Edited by Jon39 on Friday 1st January 20:31