Headlight relay switching wire puzzle....

**rrturboD** · 23rd March 2014, 09:29 PM

Under the fuses (centre lower dash) are 3 relays, the middle (yellow) one seems to be for the headlights.
The power is supplied from the headlight switch on the steering column. There is a WHITE wire that needs to be powered to make the relay switch.
I cant find what makes this white wire active.

Background: Defender 110, 200Tdi.
One day last week, the headlights failed to come on, had to drive home holding the headlight flasher on all the way. Checked fuses etc , all OK, replaced column light switch as previously it was possible to 'wiggle' it and make lights come and go....
Cant get the relay to switch (tested ok) so have made up a patch lead between the two relay sockets (pin 31 (goes active when headlights selected on column light switch and 87 (to dip switch) I think) which basically bypasses the relay.

Where does the white headlight relay wire come from?

**justinc** · 23rd March 2014, 09:38 PM

hi michael, there is no headlamp relay from factory. there is a power supply relay for when the key is switched on to provide power to the headlamp circuits, but that is it. the headlamp switch failed because the system has no relays.

even the new puma has none!!!

Def-HWUK Headlight Wiring Upgrade Kit | TRAXIDE - RV | Traxide - RV

^^^ this is the only solution.

jc

**rrturboD** · 24th March 2014, 10:30 AM

Justin, I agree about the headlight upgrade.
In this case it all looks original

the relay does nothing to reduce the load at the switches, as the power to the headlight switch, delivers power to this relay, which in turn, delivers power to the dip switch, which supplies high and low beams, with full load.

the manuals mention something about 'headlamp over ride' but this is as close as I can get.
Re three relays...
- left most one (passenger side) is starter (yellow)
- middle to do with the headlight (yellow)
- right (drivers) is one with 87 and 87a, where one is active, and switched to the other ... I think it is to do with park brake warning light
I'll try and get a photo to help ...

**rrturboD** · 24th March 2014, 04:32 PM

two pics attached, Before is without our mod, and after shows the relay removed, and mod inserted.

**rrturboD** · 25th March 2014, 11:34 AM

Re:
Def-HWUK Headlight Wiring Upgrade Kit | TRAXIDE - RV | Traxide - RV

Without the elusive white wire doing its thing, this kit will not work!

**flagg** · 25th March 2014, 01:35 PM

Do you have a white wire on your ignition barrel? Should do. I can't remember exactly what ignition position has it live but it was a funny one - like earth when engine is off and +12V when it is running. Or something. Would make sense to turn the headlights off when you switched the engine off.

**rrturboD** · 25th March 2014, 03:18 PM

flagg, thanks for the thought, but the headlights could be left on, with or without ignition.

2stroke · 25th March 2014, 03:36 PM

Headlights on my 130 turn back to parkers only when the ignition is off, by the relay shown in the pic.

**flagg** · 25th March 2014, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by rrturboD

flagg, thanks for the thought, but the headlights could be left on, with or without ignition.

Don't think it is the position of the ignition switch, but wether the engine is running or not. But if yours is different then it is kind of moot.

**Judo** · 25th March 2014, 05:27 PM

I can't be sure mines "original" either but I can turn on my headlights with engine and ignition off.

'86 County.

Seems like I just confused things further.

There certainly are relays that trigger when you turn the ignition on, however I didn't think they were anything to do with headlights.

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