Dim Dip Lighting

[list...@liberator-systems.co.uk]

I have been updating the wiring on my Mk2 saloon. The relay and fuse block are not in best of condition. The loom is the type with headlights operated via relays rather than direct from switch and the Dim Dip lighting does actually work.

Does anyone know if the thick Blue/Green wire coming from the 2nd Dim Dip relay (blue one) is a resistance wire? I ask because it feels different to other wires of similar thickness and like a wire that has gone stiffer through overheat cycles. I know the MK2 fuel/relay block can have problems with overheating so am keen to avoid another problem.

I understand the Ford Dim Dip system operates by lighting the headlights is series (rather than using a resistor as do some manufacturers). Looking at the wiring schematic in Haynes seems to confirm that - it looks like the earth for RH headlight is controlled by one of the Dim Dip relays - but some of the wiring is puzzling - seems like if sidelights on and ignition on then DD relay feeds 12v backwards through the earth to RH bulb.....

The DD function can be disabled by removing DD Green relay  (V on relay block). I am just curious to know how wiring works.

John

 

[Jim Hearne]

The Blue/Green wire is a normal wire, just a thick one so there is minimal voltage drop i suspect.

As you guessed, they do put the 2 bulbs in series for the dim dip.

So for normal headlight mode the Blue/Green wire is earthed but for dim dip mode it’s connected to the other bulb so they end up in series.

 

The only resistance wire i know of on the Fiestas is on some earlier cars where they had a Black resistance wire in series with the ignition coil which was shorted when cranking the engine to give a voltage boost to the coil.

 

Jim

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[listsub3]

Thanks for resistance wire info Jim.

After looking at XR2/Haynes wiring schematic a bit more it seems the 2nd Dim Dip relay sends power via the thick green/blue wire to the RH headlight bulb earth wire and then power flows onto LH bulb. Seems both dipped and main beam filaments are used.

One thing about schematic that puzzles me is that on the 2nd Dim Dip relay (item 12 on schematic) the negative side of relay coil has 2 connections going out to the main beam left and right wiring. So it looks like if sidelights only is selected then power is also going to main beam LH & RH bulbs via that relay coil? Am I missing something?

I was going to get meter out and check but battery is now flat (or dead).

John

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/quantumowners/41AB28DF17BD490E985210535238A592%40JimQuad.

[Jim Hearne]

I will have to dig out my Haynes manual, about 20 years since i studied the dim dip system.

Remember you can’t supply power via a relay coil, all that will happen is the relay will turn on and the current flowing will be no where near enough to make a headlight bulb light up.

 

I removed the dim dip from both my 2+2 and saloon as they both have flaps in front of the headlights so if you have dim dip you are driving around with the flaps open all the time.

 

On the saloon which has spot lights i guess i could do some rewiring on those and run them in series as daytime running lights.

 

Jim

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/quantumowners/d0e2e548-df33-a9f4-85f8-ef3660abb432%40liberator-systems.co.uk.

[Darren Siepka]

If you have round fog lights on the front , Hella sell 90mm round fogs with integral DRL function. They use a dual filament H15 bulb.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/quantumowners/1E6EC7F42EB64D1781B1EE3194FEDF25%40JimQuad.

[list...@liberator-systems.co.uk]

Current front lights setup on my saloon is spots in the spoiler (wired to only come on with main beam). Standard headlamp units (twin filament bulb plus separate sidelight bulb). My flaps work correctly even with Dim Dip enabled i.e lids open whenever any light is on - side or dim dip main. 

The headlights definitely need upgrading - in the dark it's a bit like driving with 2 oil lamps compared to modern cars ;-)

As Jim said probably best to remove Dim Dip completely - it probably would not play nicely with led sidelights or mains anyway.

Currently awaiting delivery of new battery as several days of electrical testing has finally killed the old one.

John