Headlight switch

[jigs]

My headlights have stopped working, didn't think it was a big deal, checked fuse, checked bulbs, and checked wiring all OK. So I turned my attention to the switch itself. It appears that I'm getting no power out from terminal X or 56 I've tried another switch out my other van and its exactly the same?
If I run a live feed to the wire at the board the headlights do work. And relay is switching from high to low ok.
Am I missing something or I am just very unlucky and both switches are knackered ?

Cheers

[cobblers]

The switches do fail, but they don't usually completely fail straight away, you'll have dim/grim lights intermittently for a while. 

Easy enough to pop the switch apart and look inside, it's usually obvious if the switch is knackered because the contacts will be burned. 

[Mocki]

Have you checked the “x” relief relay ? And the ignition switch ?

[Robsey]

Have you checked the “x” relief relay ? And the ignition switch ?

They would be my next port of call.

X relief relay,
Numbered 18, 24 or 100.

Or ignition switch.

Both are just as likely.

If it is the "X" circuit affected, then other big consumers would also be affected.
Heater blower motor, windscreen wipers, and rear window demister if fitted.

[jigs]

New switch i ordered arrived plugged in and same result no dipped or main beam lights.
Strange thing I think is no power coming out of switch my dipped or mains. All the smaller terminals power up when side lights on.
Main beam flashes on the stock. And both lights come on if I power them directly at the board.
Will have a look at the above suggestions
Thanks for the replies guys

[Robsey]

Definitely sounds like the relief relay (18, 24, or 100)
or
ignition switch 'X' contact burnt.

I am sure I read that -
With the ignition on but engine not running,
if you flashed the main beams, the consumers on the X relief relay circuits would often spring into life.

Fan, rear window demister etc.

Because flashing the main beams bypasses the X circuit for the lights.

[jigs]

I have a spare relay so will swop that out now and will look at ignition switch, van starts no problem so I'd have thought ignition switch would affect that ?
Thanks for the reply

[Robsey]

On an ignition switch, the main contacts are...

30 - Battery Live (red)

15 - Ignition Live (black)

X - relief relay live (black / yellow or black/ white).

So ignition and X relay are on separate circuits.
The X contact may be burnt... but not the 15 contact.
Perhaps...

[jigs]

Will have a look at it shortly.

[jigs]

Looks like I'm not getting power out the X on the ignition switch when ignition is on so nothing at x relay (86) but if i power the ignition switch cable that goes to 86 i do get power. Points to faulty ignition switch ?
I'll need to order one annoyingly, and perhaps looks like i didn't need a light switch after all!

I'll robb one from my other van to test this theory......

[Robsey]

It does indeed sound like the ignition switch.

It is a pain to remove the steering collumn covers and unscrew / unplug the switches to carry out the test swapsy - but worth your while if it finds the cause of your issue.

It should be live when in the ignition on position... but dead in the cranking / starter position.

[jigs]

So I've just changed out the ignition switch for one from my other van and I'm still getting the same issue of no headlights dipped or main and also now no indicators!
I was just getting frustrated so I've walked away before I break something!
Will have a go tomorrow and check over what I've done so far to make sure I've not done something stupid..........

[Aidan]

I'd be checking the earth crowns, there's a few shared ones which when corroded can result in contact to earth not being made and power instead being diverted via hi beam led which is acting as one way valve as diodes are polarity sensitive

[jigs]

The high beam led now flashes with the hazards on instead of the indicator led, but when you flash main beam it stays on and hazards slow down !

I have cleaned all the earth terminals behind the board, at the battery and changed the gearbox one in the past few weeks.
Its a very strange one for me, all was well then lights stopped working on a drive home. I just pressured it was the switch. I've now changed that and the ignition switch but I'm still in same boat. Sidelights but nothing else.

I'm now just going through the board and cleaning and checking wires in right position.

The other strange thing I've noticed today is i can hear the relay clicking when I flash the mains with the light switch fully on but the ignition off when I do with ignition on the relay doesn't click ?

[jigs]

Update.
Very productive day yesterday.
After going through everything again checking the wiring all looked good gettin ppower where I should everything is now working! I'm not 100% sure but I did replace one the connections onto the earth crown as it looked a little fragile, so may have been that. But also found what I think caused the problem one of my spotlights had blown and the wires where a bit crispy inside the light.
The ignition switch was faulty so swopping it out was needed but the light switch was ok in the end.
Just glad I got it sorted.

Thanks to you guys for the advice and pointers on where to look