Headlight dipped beam relay

[Woodie]

Hi folks i have a problem as in when i put my lights on all i get is sidelights and no dipped beam, the forum has pointed me to a relay behind the slam panel (Thanks guys) if i tap the relay the lights come back to life (not very practical)... So where can i get a replacement relay? or is there a way to repair it? plus i want to run a HID system on the dipped bean will this make a difference? i await your help / information thanks

[White Exec]

Hi Woodie

The relay is a standard automotive 12v "cube" type: 12v coil, 30/40A relay contacts. It can be 4-pin (one set of make contacts), or 5-pin (one set of changeover contacts), it doesn't matter for this application. Any motor factor (or even Hfds) should have one.
Best replaced if intermittent, although they can be opened up (cover can be prised off) and the internal contacts cleaned. Also clean up the relay socket contacts.

[Woodie]

Hi Woodie

The relay is a standard automotive 12v "cube" type: 12v coil, 30/40A relay contacts. It can be 4-pin (one set of make contacts), or 5-pin (one set of changeover contacts), it doesn't matter for this application. Any motor factor (or even Hfds) should have one.
Best replaced if intermittent, although they can be opened up (cover can be prised off) and the internal contacts cleaned. Also clean up the relay socket contacts.

Thanks Chris i shall try removing it although it seems rather tight in there, glad it is just a standard part

[White Exec]

Over time, and given a bit of weathering down front, the relays can become very attached to their sockets! If really tight, squirt a bit of WD on to the pins/socket.

[MTXM]

It should be sufficient just to remove the relay and clean the contacts and replace Richard, which usually does the trick! With regards, Matthew T.

[Peter.N.]

I will go along with that, as Chris said the contacts on both the relay and its socket get very corroded and usually that's what causes the problem, give the contacts on the socket a scrape as well then lightly grease it all, that should help prevent further corrosion.

Peter

[Woodie]

Thanks Guys it appears the socket itself is very corroded so will have to get cleaning

[White Exec]

The metal contacts in the sockets usually survive - just a question of cleaning it up.
If your cut a slim piece of fine glasspaper a few mm wide (and maybe double it up), you can poke it into each female contact and clean up the important surfaces. A cut-off bit of OH's thin emery board pretty good for this, is she doesn't find out . . .

[Woodie]

All sorted except the earthing tag onto the dipped beam mount has now broken away... Oh the joys of owning an old car, loving it though

[White Exec]

And the joy that follows a good fix!