main beam operation

[cpszx]

The main beam will only flash when using either the dash button or wheel mounted button, but i cannot get it to stay on.

Is the dash switch supposed to be a latching switch, or is it a latching relay, to engage main beam and stay on?

Or is it not designed to stay on?

Not sure which component has failed, if any.

Thanks,
Craig

[TR3B]

The dash mounted buttons are supposed to latch and there should be 2 of them wired in sequence. The button on the wheel will only flash the lights when those two switches are off as a 'flash to pass' feature. When the two buttons for the lights are latched they stay illuminated. If they light up when you push them but don't latch I'd say you have a button problem. If they latch when you push them but don't light up you have a wiring problem.

Which version of the car are you working on?

Edited by TR3B on Wednesday 5th January 15:51

[cpszx]

TR3B said:

The dash mounted buttons are supposed to latch and there should be 2 of them wired in sequence. The button on the wheel will only flash the lights when those two switches are off as a 'flash to pass' feature. When the two buttons for the lights are latched they stay illuminated. If they light up when you push them but don't latch I'd say you have a button problem. If they latch when you push them but don't light up you have a wiring problem.

Which version of the car are you working on?

Edited by TR3B on Wednesday 5th January 15:51

2002 GTR, so old style buttons for all.

Side/dipped turned on, which is a 3 position rocker switch on right hand side.

Front dash mounted main beam is a push switch, but doesn't feel/sound like it latches, just seems to act as a push/return like the start button.
I will go back and double check that though, just to make sure i am definitely pushing it fully in to enable the latch, but i believe i was.

The wheel mounted switch just flashed whether side/dipped lights were on or off, which is as i expect and does seem to be just a push/return switch.

Also, just to confirm, there is no handbrake warning light. I searched and read this was correct? Just establishing MOT related issues in advance...

[TR3B]

cpszx said:

Also, just to confirm, there is no handbrake warning light. I searched and read this was correct? Just establishing MOT related issues in advance...

I don't know. Somebody else is going to have to field that one.

[rossins]

Hi Craig
Re main beam - if I remember correctly (not guaranteed I’m getting old) there is a relay which sounds like it needs replacing. I think it’s on the passenger side - either behind the plate on the front inner wing which when removed gives access to fuses/relays. if not there it might be up under the passenger footwell on the left of the footwell. Give me a ring if you need to.
Regards
Simon

[cpszx]

rossins said:

Hi Craig
Re main beam - if I remember correctly (not guaranteed I’m getting old) there is a relay which sounds like it needs replacing. I think it’s on the passenger side - either behind the plate on the front inner wing which when removed gives access to fuses/relays. if not there it might be up under the passenger footwell on the left of the footwell. Give me a ring if you need to.
Regards
Simon

Thanks Simon, will be on the list of things to look when the weather warms up.

I just wasnt sure whether the switch or relay was the latch in this case.

[Steve_D]

The button for dip/high is a momentary also does headlight flash.
There are 3 relays one is a latching relay for dip or high. This connects to a relay for the upper main beam lamps. The second for the lower main beams lamps.

Steve

[cpszx]

Steve_D said:

The button for dip/high is a momentary also does headlight flash.
There are 3 relays one is a latching relay for dip or high. This connects to a relay for the upper main beam lamps. The second for the lower main beams lamps.

Steve

Hi Steve
Thanks, so it sounds like the latching relay isn’t latching then, as the lamps do actually come on, so the main relays are fine.
Not been able to look properly due to shoulder injury, so still on the list to do.

Are you able to confirm actual location? Will get one ordered anyway.
Thanks.

[Steve_D]

cpszx said:

.....Are you able to confirm actual location? Will get one ordered anyway.
Thanks.

When you say 'actual location' are you saying where are the relays or which specific relay in the bank of relays?

The relays live in the front of the left side pod and are accessed via the ali plate visible when the front clip is open.
Not sure which position the relay is as I have changed mine when I added engine management.
The relay will have 5 pins with 4 of them in a square pattern and the fifth off to the side.

Steve

[cpszx]

Thanks to everyone for the pointers.

Finally got round to sorting this yeaterday and swapped the relay once i found it.

Thought it was “just my luck ” when i opened the side panel and none of the relays on the board matched the one i had, haha, but released that board and found a couple more zip tied to the chassis behind it and matched the connections to find the right one.

First job off the list…

[cpszx]

I did find a couple of loose wires floating around in there off the loom though, white with pink stripe.

Presume they must be for a feature i dont have?
Front fogs? Will check the couple of wiring diagrams i have later.