DIM/DIP Swtiching unit

[chris4.2]

Hi All

I'm yet another new Cerbera owner and already getting stuck into the maintenance!

The button on the steering wheel stopped switching between full beam and dipped beam and now only does full and off (well sidelights).

I found the box on the shelf in the boot marked "DIM/DIP Swtiching unit" (Part No. is ME0161) and sure enough there is a burnt pin on the connector.

On opening it up the PCB looks OK and anyway is simple enough to fix.

But does anyone know what the connector is, or where to buy spares, or complete new DIM/Dip units, or have any other tips?

I am new to TVRs and Cerberas (but loving it!)

Cheers

Christian

[Extra 300 Driver]

Chris,

The fix I did on my car was to cut the burnt cable and solder in a join directly to the post inside the box. It meant drilling a small home in the cover to pass the cable through, but it was neat enough.

I also put a bullet connector in lin to it could be disconnected. I would also check the steering wheel ribbon cable too if I were you.

[chris4.2]

Thanks for the info.

In more light today I had a closer look and this is not the only box which has suffered burnt pins. At least one other box has already been modified like you described!

I found another box called something like lights switching unit, disconnecting this and reconnecting fixed the problem so a contact must have been dry/loose . . . will no doubt become the next burnt pin!!

Hmmm . . . so what does the DIM/DIP box do if not controlling the light dipping?!

Thanks again for your quick reply

C

[alinton]

It makes the sidelights come on dimly when the headlights are on dip. What you describe is common, the connector cannot handle the current the headlights draw.

The usual fix is to either solder the wires straight onto the pin or eve the pcb, or fit spade connectors.

Or fit HID headlamps that don't draw lots of current - see threads passim for details of this and mods required to that box when you do it!

A.