Headlight dipped beam relay

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Woodie
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Headlight dipped beam relay

Post by Woodie » Tue Nov 20, 2018 7:23 pm

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
Richard

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White Exec
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Re: Headlight dipped beam relay

Post by White Exec » Tue Nov 20, 2018 10:07 pm

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.
Chris
1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive RP7165 Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime RP5800 Sable
1989 BX19RD Delage Red Deceased; 1998 ZX 1.9D Avantage auto Triton Green Company car 1998..2001; 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto Wicked Red Company car 2001..2003

Woodie
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Re: Headlight dipped beam relay

Post by Woodie » Tue Nov 20, 2018 10:11 pm

White Exec wrote:
Tue Nov 20, 2018 10:07 pm
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 :)
Richard

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White Exec
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Re: Headlight dipped beam relay

Post by White Exec » Tue Nov 20, 2018 10:17 pm

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.
Chris
1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive RP7165 Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime RP5800 Sable
1989 BX19RD Delage Red Deceased; 1998 ZX 1.9D Avantage auto Triton Green Company car 1998..2001; 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto Wicked Red Company car 2001..2003

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Re: Headlight dipped beam relay

Post by MTXM » Thu Nov 22, 2018 10:51 pm

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.
1989 V6 Exclusive (Poland car) - Now living in a local Motor Museum!
1990 V6sei auto (grey auto)
1990 V6sei manual (gold car)
1990 V6.24 Pallas (Germany car)
1990 V6.24v (Scotland car)
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Peter.N.
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Re: Headlight dipped beam relay

Post by Peter.N. » Fri Nov 23, 2018 10:03 am

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
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Woodie
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Re: Headlight dipped beam relay

Post by Woodie » Sat Nov 24, 2018 1:13 pm

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

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White Exec
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Re: Headlight dipped beam relay

Post by White Exec » Sat Nov 24, 2018 1:17 pm

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 . . . 8-)
Chris
1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive RP7165 Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime RP5800 Sable
1989 BX19RD Delage Red Deceased; 1998 ZX 1.9D Avantage auto Triton Green Company car 1998..2001; 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto Wicked Red Company car 2001..2003

Woodie
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Posts: 210
Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2018 4:45 pm

Re: Headlight dipped beam relay

Post by Woodie » Mon Nov 26, 2018 11:43 am

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
Richard

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White Exec
Citroen God!
Posts: 6642
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 7:38 pm
Orga / RP numbers: RP7165
1996 2.5TD saloon, Exclusive, Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime, Sable Phenicien
Location: ex-Ealing, Cheshire, W.Sussex & Surrey. Now living in Sayalonga (Malaga, Spain)

Re: Headlight dipped beam relay

Post by White Exec » Mon Nov 26, 2018 12:26 pm

And the joy that follows a good fix! ;)
Chris
1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive RP7165 Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime RP5800 Sable
1989 BX19RD Delage Red Deceased; 1998 ZX 1.9D Avantage auto Triton Green Company car 1998..2001; 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto Wicked Red Company car 2001..2003

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