I've got an Escort van, smiley face K plater 1992 vintage.

If I click the stalk forward for high / main beam although the lights get brighter and shine down the road further, it's quite dim in the near ground.

If I click the stalk back (like you do when flashing the lights at someone) and hold it, the lights in foreground as well as distance are much brighter.

However I can't drive round at night manually holding the stalk backwards all the time, so I have to put up with average lights with the stalk forwards. Plus I wonder if I'll burn something out keeping them pulled on manually.

Is this normal? It's almost back to front to me... basically the lights are much better when flashing someone than when on permanently. Do I need to rewire something, or is this how they are on everyone's Escorts?

 

This is correct for the vast majority of vehicles. Forward is main beam, back is dip beam. Pulled all the way forward is to "flash", this is main and dip together. Don't keep the switch pulled as you will burn out the wiring, particularly the earths. These are only rated for one or the other, not both on permanently.

 

Thanks for the comprehensive reply

Confirms what I thought about burning them out. Shame as they're acceptable with both on!

Ah well, will just get used to peering into the darkness, got more pressing things to be upgrading at the mo.

Thank you

 

I suppose there would be nothing stopping you from hanging a relay from the main beam feed that runs the dip as well. Fused, wired and earthed correctly the wiring won't give you any problem. Not sure if you might go through bulbs quicker though...

 

.

 

^^ Only thing stopping is my inability to do good wiring However I like the sound of that, and I've got a friend who's ok with electrickery, so will ask him if he could wire it up for me.

Thank Steve

 

just fit some uprated bulbs, or go HID route as you can wire it to please yourself then, or better still fit a bumper with fog lights like the rs2000/xr3i or cabby type

 

And how will that help when it's not foggy? I know you're not suggesting he drive with fog lights on in normal conditions? LOL. That does boil my piss