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Dim dip relay...

Posted: 24 Aug 2010
by mat_the_cat
...where is it?!
From what Doc has told me, and from what I can find on the net it should be either on the bulkhead near the rear washer bottle, or on the steering column under the dash. But not on mine! I figure there must be a fairly hefty resistor to look out for, and seeing as it has to dissipate around 30 watts of heat it would likely be mounted onto a metal panel.
If I have to trace the wires I will do but just wondered if anyone had found it in a different location, or could tell me what it looks like?

My cunning relay circuit helpfully illuminates the glow plug and ABS lights whenever headlights are on and engine off, so I reckon I need to remove the dim dip relay first!

Re: Dim dip relay...

Posted: 24 Aug 2010
by Vanny
the resistor is on the front crash panel, infront of the radiator.

Not sure about this realy of which you speak.

Have you looked at the wiring diagram? that will tell you the harness reference.

Re: Dim dip relay...

Posted: 24 Aug 2010
by mat_the_cat
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, I think I remember something back in the dim and distant past when I was fitting the air con. Something circular in a metal can held on with a spring clip.... Would make sense to put in in the air flow.
I'm not sure where I got the relay idea from either, must have read it somewhere.

Cheers, will have a gander later.

Re: Dim dip relay...

Posted: 24 Aug 2010
by mat_the_cat
Sorted - the relay was by the washer bottle, although unplugging that or the resistor would have equally done the trick. My mistake was looking for a relay attached to a resistor, (wrongly) thinking they would be in the same place.

Re: Dim dip relay...

Posted: 25 Aug 2010
by docchevron132
ahh no. See, the resisitor, ah well, yeah you said it above already, stuck down the front to keep the fucker cool, as is the fan resistor on cars with only one fan like..

Re: Dim dip relay...

Posted: 25 Aug 2010
by Stinkwheel(Matt)
These resistors (as fitted to all cits at this time late80's early 90's) are the biggest pile of poop ever. They actually make the light switches overheat in a 2CV. Junk them on anything you have, thats my tech tip for the day :)

Re: Dim dip relay...

Posted: 25 Aug 2010
by Vanny
And replace them with what?

Re: Dim dip relay...

Posted: 25 Aug 2010
by Stinkwheel(Matt)
dont replace them, just wire them up as per the earlier BX's. Job jobbed. Its not been a legal requirement to have that dim/dip type thing for years.

Re: Dim dip relay...

Posted: 25 Aug 2010
by Vanny
As per the earlier BX's? I don't understand, do they have them in series/parrallel or just not bother with side lights?

Re: Dim dip relay...

Posted: 25 Aug 2010
by Stinkwheel(Matt)
Well, the way they work on a 2CV or CX is that you can remove them, bridge two wires and you still have main beam and normal beam and sidelights but without the corroded aluminium can putting larger loads than needed on aged wiring etc. Earlier cars didnt have them, they were only law that your headlights work that way in certain period late 80's thru early 90's so earlier and latest cars didnt have that part.

Re: Dim dip relay...

Posted: 25 Aug 2010
by mat_the_cat
On the BX you can just remove the resistor or relay and have completely standard lights - it's an add on rather than a mod to the standard circuits.

Re: Dim dip relay...

Posted: 25 Aug 2010
by Vanny
Me thinks i need to go have a look at the wiring diagram!

Re: Dim dip relay...

Posted: 25 Aug 2010
by mat_the_cat
Look on page 281 8)

827 is the relay, 858 the resistor(s)