110 headlights

[scottygc]

driving home at dusk and went to turn on the head lights

2000 110

park lights came on ok then moved it to the head lights and nothing , not even dash lights or parkers

checked fuses and all ok

do you think it is the switch or a other problem

any way of checking?

thanks in advance

scotty

[JDNSW]

Almost certainly the switch, or possibly the multifunction switch. If it is the switch, then flashing high beam should work.

Unlike most modern vehicles, the 110/Defender does not have a headlight relay, so the entire lighting current travels through the switch (and the multifunction switch). The contacts will carry this current, but not with much margin. Any use of above standard wattage bulbs will result in early switch failure, and expect it to fail eventually, even if standard wattage bulbs are used - they are not very good switches.

Depending on the level of damage to the switch, it may be repairable if damage is limited to burnt contact - simply clean them. But often the contact has heated up, and melted the plastic support, and in this case repair is unlikely to be possible.

An upgrade to fit headlight relays is recommended. This can be done by buying parts off the shelf, or one of the advertisers here (Traxide) sells easily fitted kits.

A search on this site will find a number of threads on the subject.

Hope this helps,

John

[easo]

An upgrade to fit headlight relays is recommended. This can be done by buying parts off the shelf, or one of the advertisers here (Traxide) sells easily fitted kits.


I went through 3 head light switches before the Traxide upgrade. Still going strong. Its easy to check, just remove the steering coloum covering and check it. There is only 5 X-head screws and the switch is just a small nut.

Easo

[scottygc]

Ok I pulled it apart
Loos like the thing that the switch goes to is stuffed

Or is this what it looks like?

the headlight one is the one closest on the right

would there be anywere gold coast that would stock these?

ricks?

or ebay for $70 posted

thanks agian
scotty

[CraigE]

Common problem, happened to mine. The contacts have melted back into the housing. You will need a new switch. They do not have relay's so the switch gets rather hot. You will need to put in a relay. The best way to do so, as I have done is to get one of Drivesafes (traxide web site) upgrade kits. Mine has been fine since.
The biggest issue is the switches themselves can be quite pricey.
There are a few threads on it if you search the site.

[scottygc]

thanks craig

now that we have found the cause ill move on to the repair

so best place to get the switch will need this asap

and also the upgrade? straight off the website?

have done a search and read the threads regarding this
some a older now so any new info would be good


so i need a upgrade for the driving lights
thanks

[justinc]

Scotty, I will also recommend a Traxide upgrade, have done plenty of Defenders and it IS a common problem:(.

Even with standard 60/55W globes the difference in brightness is very noticeable. Something like up to 2.5 to 3 volts MORE available at the lamps.

JC

[LowRanger]

My switch failed,so I fitted a relay and wired up an old push type dipper switch on the floor.

Wayne

[gconran]

I had exactly the same problem as this about 6 months ago.

Bought a new switch from the UK (Much cheaper) and then purchased the lighting upgrade directly from Traxide on here.

Absoultely no issues since and the headlights are that much brighter that people sometimes flash me as if to let me know I have my full beams on when I infact only have dipped beams on.

A very worthwile upgrade if you ask me and will save you a fortune on switches!!

[VladTepes]

Sounds like you need to adjust the angle of your lights gconran !

[scottygc]

it might be a little cheaper to get a new switch from the uk , but my car is a daily driver and cant be off the road for an extended time waiting for a part

ordered one on the weekend and should be here tomorrow

as for the upgraded wireing it will have to wait a little while


thanks all for info provided


cheers
scotty

[portafilter]

Does anyone know if the puma lights now run through a relay? Or do we think they still pass all current through the switch in the steering column?
Justin

[easo]

The other thing to check as a matter of course is the relay, mine was looking very undesirable. The relay was good but the relay socket looked as if it was getting warm.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1331.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1332.jpg

A replacement was about $5 at supper cheap.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1333.jpg


Regards Easo

[justinc]

Does anyone know if the puma lights now run through a relay? Or do we think they still pass all current through the switch in the steering column?
Justin

They still have no relay:(

JC

[one_iota]

They still have no relay:(

JC

They do have relays but as far as I can work out following the maze in the attached diagram the all the juice still goes through the switch first :mad:....

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1336.jpg








......I installed the Traxide kit when I installed the driving lights. :)

[gconran]

Sounds like you need to adjust the angle of your lights gconran !

well i thought that as well but I have never had any issues until i installed the upgrade kit. Still, I can guarantee my lights arent as bright as some of the guys driving around with these xenon look around corner super blue bright things! ha! Is it just me or does it always seem to be on BMW's or Audi's!?

[scott oz]

The other thing to check as a matter of course is the relay, mine was looking very undesirable. The relay was good but the relay socket looked as if it was getting warm.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1331.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1332.jpg

A replacement was about $5 at supper cheap.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1333.jpg


Regards Easo

Just to be clear, is the relay in this pic part of the light circuit? if so are you able to identify it. I had trouble with my low beam checked everything including pulling all the relays below the fuse box (TD5 2001 110) and nothing. Got a "new" switch $55 Silverdale no cure. Wiggled the wires behind the binicle and fixed? so I've got a loose connection somewhere? But nowhere could I find a relaty between the switch (connection) and the fuse box.

[scottygc]

received new switch and plugged it in
now the dash lights work on low beam but still no headlights

flick to high beam and lights work fine

where is the relay in that picture

i noticed one in the fuse box but looked ok


any advise to where to look next?

[JDNSW]

......

any advise to where to look next?

Multifunction switch (turn/horn/high-low/flasher). Low beam contacts are probably gone in it. Failure of both switches at the same time does suggest the possibility of a short on low beam - from memory there are separate fuses for each side and each beam, but a short between the switch and there would give this symptom.

Also note the possibility of a failure of the plug on the back of the headlight - I have had this, without even an upgraded headlight wattage, but both sides at once would have to be an unlikely coincidence.

Hope this helps

John

[easo]

From memory that socket was 3rd from the left. The relay itself was fine it was just that one connection.

Easo

[scottygc]

Ok rechecked all fuses and relays and all good
If I pull multifunction switch forward high beam comes on
Push it forward nothing
Checked the plug on this and all good

Tried getting this switch off and I've got no idea
Advice on removing this switch?

Thanks
Scotty?

[JDNSW]

Ok rechecked all fuses and relays and all good
If I pull multifunction switch forward high beam comes on
Push it forward nothing
Checked the plug on this and all good

Tried getting this switch off and I've got no idea
Advice on removing this switch?

Thanks
Scotty?

From memory I think the first step is to remove the steering wheel, but can't swear to that. In this sort of situation, I find it useful to use either a multimeter or a test light with one lead earthed and the other attached to a sharp needle that can be pushed easily through the insulation to check where the voltage is going. Use in conjunction with a wiring diagram.

John

[justinc]

With the ignition switch turned off, you will get no headlamps except sidelights and high beam flash...Try turning the ignition on.

JC

[scottygc]

With the ignition switch turned off, you will get no headlamps except sidelights and high beam flash...Try turning the ignition on.

JC

well there you have it

a simple turn of the key and its all fixed

arnt i clever (not)

thanks to all that helped

scotty