But before you go and replace the switch (which might very well be the problem) make sure that the relay for the non-working lights (high beams in your case) is indeed not getting voltage from the dimmer switch. When your low beams are on, take a test light or volt meter and with one of the tester leads grounded to the chassis, you should get 12 volts at the terminals on the relay: the larger (power feed) wire that feeds power into the relay, the wire that goes to your low beams, and the smaller signal wire that comes from the dimmer switch. Now, flip the lights to high beams and do the same check on the high beam relay. If there is voltage at the larger (power feed) wire only, then it is most likely the dimmer switch (you have first checked your fuses, right?). If there is voltage at the larger (power feed) wire and the smaller signal wire that comes from your dimmer switch, you have a bad relay. Make sure you check for loose connections also. Simply: power at one relay terminal - bad switch, fuse, or wiring between switch and relay power at two relay terminals - bad relay power at three relay terminals - bad lights or wiring between relay and lights hope this helps, Roger |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.