High beam

[Christhurlow61]

Ok today's chimaera puzzler is my high beam , it seems to work if I pull it back but if I push it forward nothing happens any idea if it's relay or is it the stalk.?

[bobfather]

When you pull back to flash both filaments are powered up and I think they're both powered via the dipped beam fuse (could be wrong but someone will shout up soon if I am). When you click the lever forward it turns off dipped beam and powers the main beam, the main beam has its own fuse. It depends what year the car is as to which fuse that is

[Christhurlow61]

Thanks didn't think about fuses because it works when I pull it back

[bobfather]

Christhurlow61 said:

Thanks didn't think about fuses because it works when I pull it back

As I said, when you pull it back the power may come from the dipped beam fuse because it puts both filaments on together. The main beam has its own fuse when you push the lever back. Therefore the main beam will work when you pull it back but not when you push it forward

[bobfather]

Christhurlow61 said:

Thanks didn't think about fuses because it works when I pull it back

As I said, when you pull it back the power may come from the dipped beam fuse because it puts both filaments on together. The main beam has its own fuse when you push the lever back. Therefore the main beam will work when you pull it back but not when you push it forward

[ClassiChimi]

If it's not the fuse it's likely to be the stalk itself. Easy to replace.

[Steve_D]

My answer relates to a 1997 car.

Headlight flash is powered from fuse F17 which is working. It drives the coil of relay 11. Relay 11 is powered by F20 which again is working.

Dip and High beam are powered from F10 via the lights module. Dip works so this must be OK.
This F10 power from the module goes to the stalk and switches between the high beam relay 11 and the dip beam relay 1. If dip (and its relay) are working, and we know the high beam relay works then my assumption is the stalk is at fault.

Steve

[Christhurlow61]

I'll check fuses later ,the steering colum has been out a couple off times so maybe has something to do with it

[taylormj4]

As above, pull forwards is headlamp flash and puts both dip and beam on - gives much brighter illumination than just beam.
If you push forward you will see the beam pattern come on and the dip pattern go off.

I quite often drive through a country lane with the flasher held on as the light is so much brighter. Not for long periods though as I suspect the circuitry may not handle the current for too long, although not looked at how it's wired to comment really.

[Steve_D]

Christhurlow61 said:

I'll check fuses later ,the steering colum has been out a couple off times so maybe has something to do with it

If your circuit is the same as my 1997 and my study of the circuit is correct then all of your fuses are working OK.


The signal to the high beam relay comes from only one pin on the stalk be that in flash or high beam mode.
We know it works in flash so its connections and wiring must be good.
In high beam mode it should get its power via the lights module but this is the same supply and pin on the stalk as the dip beam uses and again we know that works therefore it has to be a fault in the stalk switch.

I would unplug the stalk and 'jumper wire' the back of the connector. let me know if you want the pin numbers and wire colours.

Steve

[Christhurlow61]

I have just checked every fuse and none are blown so must be stalk yes.?