Another (strange) headlight fault...

[jmdlister]

OK...

Sidelight switch off - no lights (so far so good)

Sidelight switch on - both sidelights on AND NS headlight (dipped)

Headlight switch on - both sidelights on AND NS headlight only (dipped) (i.e. as above - no OS headlight)

Main beam switch on - both main beam lights on (as expected).

Nothing weird with the bulbs - all work OK and voltages at the connector confirm results above.

I don't understand how the NS headlight can be coming on with only the sidelight switch on - if the switch was faulty, surely it would affect both lights. Only thing I can think of is a short in the loom affecting the NS. Any other ideas?

James

[mrdp]

Hi , my money is on a dodgy bulb I've Had some really strange things with bulbs that looked OK .def change bulbs systematically to see before you start messing with wiring looms

[jmdlister]

Thanks for that - but I'm sure it's not a bulb problem as I've also measured the voltages at the connectors.

James

[jmdlister]

OK - so I downloaded a copy of the Transporter Instruction Manual, and there's a note that says

"On vehicles for Great Britain (depending on model) the headlights also come on with reduced brightness (Dim-dip lighting) at the first detent when the ignition is switched on."

Is this correct? If it is, then the dipped headlight coming on on NS is normal, and all I'm looking for a bad connection on the OS dipped circuit.

James

[ghost123uk]

OK - so I downloaded a copy of the Transporter Instruction Manual, and there's a note that says

"On vehicles for Great Britain (depending on model) the headlights also come on with reduced brightness (Dim-dip lighting) at the first detent when the ignition is switched on."

Is this correct?

James

Yes it is correct, our 86 Scirocco has "dim dip" (though the van doesn't)

[billy739]

does the n/s dipped beam operate with the sidelights and ignition off?

dim dip is also from 86 on from memory and not all foreign market vans. resistor is behind the o/s headlamp

dim dip only works with ignition on , side lights operate with ignition on or off as expected.

does sound like a bulb , have you swapped the bulbd left to right?

could also be poor connection on bulb connector , you have obviously checked the fuses?- actually swap the fuses , dont just look at them.

the headlamp switch supplies a feed to the dip / beam switch on the coloum which then goes to the fuse box where each splits into 2 fused feeds for dip / main

[jmdlister]

OK - yes, it is a dim dip system - hadn't come across this before, hence the confusion.

Bulbs were double checked, but I've only done a visual inspection of fuses, so I'll test these later. If not that, then dodgy bulb connector seems probable - they both look a bit corroded.

Thanks for the help.

James

[jmdlister]

Sorted. It was the fuse - not blown but missing! The NS dipped beam fuse is on the far right of the fuse box, and I just didn't notice the empty socket, and checked the two fuses on the end.

All working now, but now both dim dipped lights are working, they're VERY dim. Had to peer very closely to be sure they were on at all, but not bothered as the system seems a bit superfluous anyway.

Thanks again for the help.

James

[1664]

The headlights are deliberately dimmed if they are switched on without the engine running