High beam operation & issues

[yetihair]

Hello all
I'm in need of some advice.
I have been looking into headlight alignment after having the (square) headlights out for all the work done on the van. However I have realised that the smaller square lights are not working.

Firstly am I correct in thinking that when the high beam is turned on that the smaller square headlights should illuminate as well as an increase in light intensity from the rectangular light?

Secondly anyone have any idea why they wouldn't be working? I pulled the lamps out and checked that everything was connected. And noticed that the square high beams are wired into the rectangular lamp. So when I turn on the high beams are the square lamps not running off the same wiring as the rectangular high beam wiring?

Thanks for any assistance in advance

[AdrianC]

Firstly am I correct in thinking that when the high beam is turned on that the smaller square headlights should illuminate as well as an increase in light intensity from the rectangular light?

Yes.

Secondly anyone have any idea why they wouldn't be working? I pulled the lamps out and checked that everything was connected. And noticed that the square high beams are wired into the rectangular lamp. So when I turn on the high beams are the square lamps not running off the same wiring as the rectangular high beam wiring?

Assuming the bulbs are good, then it can only be wiring-related. It's multimeter o'clock for you.

BTW, I _hope_ it's all through relays, especially the main beams?

[yetihair]

Looks like I need to get the multi meter out indeed.

They are all original lights and wiring so I believe it should be via relays (he says making the assumption that that is how it was designed)

[California Dreamin]

I believe it should be via relays (he says making the assumption that that is how it was designed)

Unfortunately no relays so as a result the switch gear (on the steering) the headlamp switch and the earth crown above the fuse box are all prone to failure of one sort or another.
Martin

[AdrianC]

I believe it should be via relays (he says making the assumption that that is how it was designed)

Unfortunately no relays so as a result the switch gear (on the steering) the headlamp switch and the earth crown above the fuse box are all prone to failure of one sort or another.

With the round lights, but I thought factory squares were relayed?

[yetihair]

Ill have a look at the Haynes manual wiring diagram to see if it has any clues. Following that ill take a listen to the relays while switching the lights ( assistant required as ill need to hear it over the engine noise)
As for why the square main beams aren't working I can only see it as being a wiring issue between the rectangular and the square lamps as the rectangular lamps work as they should. But I am sceptical that both sides should stop working at the same time.
Incidentally would this be an mot failure even though I technically have a dip and high beam?

[AdrianC]

Incidentally would this be an mot failure even though I technically have a dip and high beam?

I would've said "No", but the "Reason for Rejection" wording is a bit grey. It does explicitly say at the start that it only refers to "obligatory" lamps - which is one dip, one main per side - but it's probably easier just to get 'em working than rely on arguing it...
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s01000701.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[California Dreamin]

Double squares.......H4 double filament bulbs (dip/full) in the outters and H3's (I think) single filament bulbs in the inners.

On dip beam just the outters work with one filament in each lamp. (Pattern shaped flat with kick to the left)

On full beam the outter (H4's) swap to the FULL beam filaments (SAME BULB) but with the addition of the two inner H3's ...so all 4 lamps are on at the same time. (Full spread of light and not shaped).

Around 10 amps on dip and 20 on full

[California Dreamin]

Relays 'if you have them' can be checked with the ignition on and the engine not running, although you wouldn't want to do this for too long in case of flattening the battery.

You say the outters are working correctly....is the pattern changing when you go from dip to full (as it should) indicating the swap between the two filaments in the H4 bulbs. OR are the outters just staying on dip the whole time?

The reason I ask is that the H3 inners are just piggy backed to the H4 full beam feeds so are unlikely to fail although earths are always an issue with such high amperage.


Martin

[Cableguy]

Need to look at mine at some point. When I select high beam, the main light goes out and the inner ones come on.
Hasn't always done it, but has passed 2 Mot's like it.

[AdrianC]

Need to look at mine at some point. When I select high beam, the main light goes out and the inner ones come on.
Hasn't always done it, but has passed 2 Mot's like it.

Could just be a blown high beam filament in the outer bulb...

[yetihair]

Cali Dreaming,
The filaments do switch over so I do get a change in light pattern, which I why I was initially confused as I thought the inner lights might have been operated with the fog light switch ( obviously not the case).
With the h4's swapping over as they should I will need to investigate the piggy back cables and connections and the h3 bulbs, but it does seem weird they are both not working.
Off to check them this evening!! Hopefully have soon!

[yetihair]

So it turns out it was a poor connection on the spade connectors inside the lamp between the back cap and the lamp body. A quick clean up and Viola!
Doesn't seem like it runs through any relays so I geas that is on the cards soon!