Smiler

Hello folks,

Bit of a basic question but the headlamps on my Escort don't come on on dipped (main beam works fine). I have checked with a multi-meter and I am getting no voltage at the lights. The fuses are good so I'm guessing relay.

Looking at the wirng diagram there are a number of relays involved in the lighting system. I have located the small relays in the fuse box and these appear fine but according to the wiring diagram there is a third common relay somewhere that I have not yet found. Is it amongst the relays under the dashboard on the drivers side? If so, which one?

Thanks for any help.

Regards,

Smiler.

slammedorion

Small white relays under the bonnet are for the dipped beam...

Smiler

I try'd those and they seem to be working. The wiring diagram shows a third relay wich I have failed to locate. Saying that, I have found an unoccupied relay mount in the fuse box that I might try. The fuse box cover claims it to be for heated seats (not fitted), a quick continuity check should prove if it is for the headlamps or not.

Thanks for the reply.

studabear

Sure there is a blue relay underneath the dash on the drivers side attached to where the fuel pump relay lives. Fuel pump relay is purple.

Pretty sure the dark blue relay is for headlamps as I had to get one for mine a good few years ago now.

moesin2005

am sure on a mk4 there is a relay on the actual stalks just take the coweling of and cheak

Smiler

Thanks for the replies, this problem is now all that is standing in the way of an MoT.

A bit of progress, turns out one of the white relays in the fuse box was duff. I now have a working near-side headlamp but not off-side. This kind of makes sense as the nearside units earth path is straight to earth whereas the off-sides earth path goes via another 5 pin relay according to the diagram in the Haynes manual.

As I cannot find a 5 pin relay in the fuse box I am hoping that this is the blue relay mentioned under the dashboard.

Wouldn't it be nice if Haynes identified the physical location of the relays in their books. Or is that too much to ask?

Smiler

It seems to be sorted. I replaced a small brown relay in the fuse box with a small blue one as that's what all the photos of cars fuse boxes in google images showed and all now appears to be working. Not the most satisfying fix as I still haven't identified all the relays but it is fixed.

Smiler

Spoke too soon...

Gavinbat

Hi,
The blue one under the dash is the dim dip relay and that's what earth's the other headlight.
I think the headlight has a blue wire instead of brown for the earth.
Cheers,
Gavin

Smiler

I have checked/replaced that one. The actual supply relay for dip beam is in the fuse box. The blue relay under the dash is connected to the earth path of the off-side headlamp as you say.

I think that all the switching/relay system is now correct, it's just the light output that's insufficient which will be due to resistance somewhere. I try'd a direct earth from the near-side unit with no improvement so it appears to be on the supply side.

There is not a great deal to the supply side when you break it down, 12volt supply from battery, relay, fuse for each light, bulbs, earth.

I shall dig the multi-meter out and attack it over the weekend.

Cheers.

Cossy Mike

iTrader: (4)

I am just about to tackle a similar problem on my Escort. I think it's missing 2 white relay's and a Blue one on the fuse board.

I have offside main beam coming on when side lights are turned on, when I turn ignition on everything works fine. I have no dim dip only sidelights, dipped beam and main beam.

I have checked picture's on google and found a few different arrangements of relay's in the fuse box