hi all
got a prob with my lights. at least i think its a prob. if i leave them switched on and turn ignition off the lights go off - completly. i thought they were supposed to dim to a level brighter than sidelights hence the dim/dip relay and resistor.
what does everyone elses do? and if im right and the resistor is goosed, where the hell is it?? fuse is ok as is relay ( at least, it clicks )

cheers
phil

By ignition off do u mean key out?

Or just to when the dash lights come on?

Dim dip relay is there to put dim headlamps on when the engine is running and sidelights are switched on. You are not supposed to drive on sidelights.

When the ignition is switched off then all the lights go off.

If you hold in the button on the lock and take the ignition one position backeards from normal off then the sidelights can be left on for parking purposes.

Hope this makes sense

Cheers

D

thanks for the replies

ive been testing the lights on our mondeo to see what happens with those lights.

ignition off + headlights on = sidelights only
ignition on + headlights on = lights on as normal
ignition on + sidelights on = sidelights and dim-dip headlights
mondeos have a selection on the light switch for parking which puts sidelights on with no dash lights.

on my cinq this is what happens (wondered what that button in front of the ignition was!).

ignition off + headlights on = nuthing
ignition on + headlights on = lights on as normal
ignition on + sidelights on = sidelights only no dim-dip
switching parking lights on puts sidelights and dash lights on

so it looks like the dim-dip resistor is gone as the fuse and relay are ok. but shouldnt sidelights come on if switched on with no ignition? ie key out.
and anyone know where said resistor is located?

Fiat have the car wired so that in the normal ignition off position there are no lights. You can take the key out of the parking light position. You just have to make a positive choice to leave your lights on, you can't leave them on by accident.

Why bother with the dim dip relay nowadays. Its no longer mandatory on new cars. Use dipped headlights when driving and parking lights when parked.

Cheers

D

Whilst we're on the subject...what is the difference between Sidelights and Parking lights anyway?

They look identical to me

first click of lights (with ignition on) is sidelights (parking lights) plus the main bulb is on but very very dim

Some countries require you to leave parking lights on if on a certain type of road or something to that effect.

The Cinq setup is great, never to flatten the battery due to leaving lights on whic you see a lot of folk doing especially at this time of year.

Liam

ok so if it aint broke dont fix it applies here doesnt it?

cheers for the info

phil

where abouts are the bits for the dim/dip relay. the relay itself, fuse and resistor.

i know on GeXs sei, sidelights = sidelight bulbs only, no dipped main bulbs.

My Uno used to have one of those dim dip things and I never really worked out what use it was, the lights came on as dim as sidelights anyway!

The Punto doesn't have it at all (I've changed sidelight bulbs with them switched on and engine ticking over before and the headlights weren't on at all).

hmm
wonder why they did away with it?
anyway i think ive found the dam resistor. its a big coil shaped thing mounted next to the horn. just for info.

philbo said:

hmm
wonder why they did away with it?
anyway i think ive found the dam resistor. its a big coil shaped thing mounted next to the horn. just for info.

Click to expand...

Nope, you've found the hotwire sensor for the fuel injection.

Cheers

D

the what?

Sorry to disagree, but I think that's the dim dip resistor you've found, especially if it's a little coiled wire in a protective tin cover with 3 wires going to it. I had problems with mine shorting out against the cover, bent it straight again and it's been fine since.

looking at the dim/dip relay - doesnt it have the resistor inside there? I vaugly remeber looking at the top of it, and seeing a bit more than a normal relay diagram.

Why would a resistor have 3 wires going into it?

> looking at the dim/dip relay - doesnt it have the resistor inside there? I
> vaugly remeber looking at the top of it, and seeing a bit more than a
> normal relay diagram.

> Why would a resistor have 3 wires going into it?

Arc, you're right. It is just a resistor. But actually, two resistors (hence the three wires) because the headlights have separate circuits for left and right.

Hey this was ages ago but just thought you might want to know

-Alex

ta

Hi guys sorry if im barking up the wrong tree but as far as im aware there is no resister for the headlight the two different brightness levels are from switching ( using relays ) on the two different elements inside one bulb hence the need for the dim/dip relay,the element is effectively the elusive resistor you are looking for!!

nope - near the horn is mounted a resistor which goes in series with the headlight bulb when sidelights and ignition are on. Tis bypassed when you put full headlights on.