Headlight low beams not working. 2005 TD5

[Ollie86]

Hi all,

I have had some issues with my headlight dipper over the past few months. Started out fine, then it took a little wiggle for the lights to flick from park lights to low beams. Then it needed a few flicks from high beam to low beam to get them on. Now the low beams aren't working at all. Just took it to the auto elec and they seem to think the entire dipper needs replacing and quoted $520 + fitting. I wasn't so keen on paying this, which is why I'm posting here.

Any advice for other options is much appreciated!

Cheers, Ollie

[PhilipA]

I would say that the auto electrician is correct but a bit of googling on your part should find a switch for much less than $520 which sounds like the LR dealer price.
Try Mario at Roverlord.
This is one of those jobs that is entirely DIY as it is a matter of taking off the steering wheel shroud and unscrewing a couple of screws , replacing the switch and plugging it in.
Remember to disconnect all batteries for about 30 minutes beforehand to avoid messy incidents such as air bags blowing up in ones face.

Regards Philip A

[cripesamighty]

Yep, had the same happen to a 2000 model Defender. It definitely was the switch. From memory it was expensive to buy a replacement and I thought afterwards that I should have just repaired it myself.

[Ollie86]

Thanks guys.

Have found a few on ebay.. this one looks to be the go.

Land Rover Defender Blinker Horn Headlight DIP Switch Lucas XPB101290 Indicator | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Land-Rover-Defender-Blinker-Horn-Headlight-Dip-Switch-Lucas-XPB101290-Indicator-/201331545860)

Certainly better price than the genuine part

[PhilipA]

Hmm, looks a bit more difficult than the old RRC as you have to remove the steering wheel, but still eminently doable DIY.
Regards Philip A

[Ollie86]

Looks like they are all like that. Hopefully the wheel removal isn't too much of a mission

[Dopey]

Remember to disconnect all batteries for about 30 minutes beforehand to avoid messy incidents such as air bags blowing up in ones face.

Regards Philip A

The original poster did post on the Defender page not the discovery page.....
Regards,
Mike.

[jimr1]

Hi Ollie , You probably know this by now because you've looked on Ebay . When you get the new switch there not hard to change over , When you look at the one that comes off they would have to be one of the cheapest made switched on any vehicle , look at the points , and how much surface area actually make contact , about the same as two match heads touching , you can bend them back into shape with some needle pliers , I brought a new switch from Ebay a while back , everything works OK , I did pamp the horn , and It stayed on . It just kept going , I pulled It out , and That was all It needed , like the spring was stuck !!.. Jim :D

[Dervish]

This thread inspired me to post up my solution to the headlight switch problem:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/222122-defender-headlight-switch.html

[JDNSW]

Be aware that there are two switches, changed early nineties I think. The actual switch is the same, but the plug is different. While you have it apart, check the condition of the actual headlight switch as well.

And if you have not already done so, fit headlight relays so the new switch lasts longer - and until you do this, definitely do not use higher than standard wattage bulbs!

John