Fiat Ducato 1.3 Multijet 2010.
This saga started out of the blue a year last February just as we were leaving out stopover before getting the Eurotunnel on the other side of the channel. No dipped headlights. Side lights fine and beam fine which created issues with on coming traffic for the short section in the dark at 0700hrs in the morning. Arrived in Kent then went straight to a garage for the MOT. The garage investigated the issue which will require a Branch Control Unit facia fuse box and relay plate at 121 UKP plus VAT plus fitting. Downside, four days for delivery. So they jury rigged the wiring sticking a switch with fuse and indicator light on the fuse relay plate cover box. This is not an MOT failure as there is no regulations as to how the lights need to be switched on just going down as an observation. A year on another MOT passing with the switch still stuck in place.
So after nearly sixteen months I decided to get it resolved. The local auto electrician removed the jury rig switch system and wiring then connected his analyser confirming everything was working. He could see the relays were closing correctly and the commands going to illuminate the lights. Now here is the rub. When I picked up the MH I turned on the ignition but never started the engine. He demonstrated the relays clicking with the dipped beam on so off I drove thinking the dipped headlight were working. The dipped headlight indicator in the instrument panel showing it was on. For the past three weeks I have been testing it on the driveway not quite happy the gremlin had gone being a NFF (no fault found) result. Yesterday I tested the lights without the engine running when they all worked then decided to start the engine with the lights still on. The dipped headlight went off after approximately 2 seconds. I then tried it without the engine running with the ignition on and the lights worked. In summary when the engine is running the dipped headlight stop working if switched on at first. Also if the lights are switched off at first then the engine started then switching the lights the dipped beam won´t come on. Side lights and full beam are fine.
Unfortunately the auto electrician can´t see the MH for another three weeks as he is on holiday.
He asked me to confirm definitely that the actually dipped beam goes off when switched on when the engine is started which is correct and likewise cannot be switched on if the engine is started before. He mentioned the alternator. Umh. The headlight beam works fine so it can´t be a voltage drop or current issue I surmise.
Any thoughts on this gremlin appreciated. Cam belt and pump to be changed during this three week period. If the push comes to the shove I suppose the jury rig switch and wiring will have to be reinstated.
atb
This saga started out of the blue a year last February just as we were leaving out stopover before getting the Eurotunnel on the other side of the channel. No dipped headlights. Side lights fine and beam fine which created issues with on coming traffic for the short section in the dark at 0700hrs in the morning. Arrived in Kent then went straight to a garage for the MOT. The garage investigated the issue which will require a Branch Control Unit facia fuse box and relay plate at 121 UKP plus VAT plus fitting. Downside, four days for delivery. So they jury rigged the wiring sticking a switch with fuse and indicator light on the fuse relay plate cover box. This is not an MOT failure as there is no regulations as to how the lights need to be switched on just going down as an observation. A year on another MOT passing with the switch still stuck in place.
So after nearly sixteen months I decided to get it resolved. The local auto electrician removed the jury rig switch system and wiring then connected his analyser confirming everything was working. He could see the relays were closing correctly and the commands going to illuminate the lights. Now here is the rub. When I picked up the MH I turned on the ignition but never started the engine. He demonstrated the relays clicking with the dipped beam on so off I drove thinking the dipped headlight were working. The dipped headlight indicator in the instrument panel showing it was on. For the past three weeks I have been testing it on the driveway not quite happy the gremlin had gone being a NFF (no fault found) result. Yesterday I tested the lights without the engine running when they all worked then decided to start the engine with the lights still on. The dipped headlight went off after approximately 2 seconds. I then tried it without the engine running with the ignition on and the lights worked. In summary when the engine is running the dipped headlight stop working if switched on at first. Also if the lights are switched off at first then the engine started then switching the lights the dipped beam won´t come on. Side lights and full beam are fine.
Unfortunately the auto electrician can´t see the MH for another three weeks as he is on holiday.
He asked me to confirm definitely that the actually dipped beam goes off when switched on when the engine is started which is correct and likewise cannot be switched on if the engine is started before. He mentioned the alternator. Umh. The headlight beam works fine so it can´t be a voltage drop or current issue I surmise.
Any thoughts on this gremlin appreciated. Cam belt and pump to be changed during this three week period. If the push comes to the shove I suppose the jury rig switch and wiring will have to be reinstated.
atb