Side Lights

[caulkhead68]

Whilst observing many Esprits over the weekend, I noticed that when they had the side lights on, the headlights didn't pop up, whereas mine do.

Is this a trait with just 1988 Esprits ? or do I need to change the relay / rewire anything ??

Any advice greatly received

Thanks in advance

Matt

[Splashout]

surely if your lights are up when the side lights are on then you just have two pods up doing nothing?

Or do the main lights come on as well?

Something seems odd to me

[Kato]

Think this has been mention before. You might have a different wiring spec. By side lights, you mean the driving lights in the front bumper.

[RichardN]

Hi Matt,

If this isn't normal then I've got an odd one too! Mine is an 88 and it does exactly the same. I have often wondered if something was wrong as it doesn't seem sensible to have the headlights pop up just for the side lights although you will notice that the small bulbs in the headlights light up as well. I have looked through the manual for this and it seems that is is what was intended.

Annoying though isn't it? You have the headlights up increasing drag for no real reason.

Richard

And yes, Kato. I am assuming Matt was meaning the lights next to the indicators rather than in the headlight pod.

Edited October 13, 2006 by RichardN

[caulkhead68]

Richard / Kato

Correct - I was refering to the side lights next to the indicators.

The small bulbs in the headlight pods also light up - like yours Richard.

I read in the Times today that the EU are proposing to have car lights on during the day and it would be very annoying to spoil the lines of the car just to have the headlights pop up whilst the side lights are on.

Cheers

Matt

[nigel cowell]

I THINK ALL 88 CARS LIGHTS POP UP AND A SMALL BULB COMES ON , I CUT A WIRE ON MY RELAYS SO THE STAY DOWN BUT THE BULBS ARE STILL ON.

[ric&g]

Hi Matt your lights pop up when the side lights and ignition are on as do mine on the 88 stevens, there is a separate control on the front bulkhead for this, these cars were fitted with the dim dip light system which was a legal requirement on new vehicles at the time but was later dropped, some manufacturers still fit it, my 2001 nissan van headlights come on dim with the side lights.Not sure if the unit can be removed also as I said it was a legal thing so may be an mot requirement for that age of vehicle.

Hope this helps.

Edited October 13, 2006 by ric&g

[RichardN]

Nigel,

What did you cut to stop the pop up and did it affect anything else in the lighting?

I am thinking that I can always put a switch in there for the MOT if it is required as Ric suggests although I would be surprised if many of the current MOT testers were aware of such a rule.

Richard

[th4neuk]

I seem to recall disconnecting one of the wires on the headlight relay for this. I can't immediately remember which one though.

Cheers

[nigel cowell]

Nigel,

What did you cut to stop the pop up and did it affect anything else in the lighting?

I am thinking that I can always put a switch in there for the MOT if it is required as Ric suggests although I would be surprised if many of the current MOT testers were aware of such a rule.

Richard

hi Richard , its the small blue with white stripe wire from the green relay. i put a connector in so i could back trak if i had to

[RichardN]

Thanks Nigel

Appreciate that. I will look at doing this later today.

Richard

[andydclements]

I think (can't remember the years affected) the reason your headlights pop up is the "Dim-Dip" regulation that came in then went away after a very short period of time.

When the parking/ side lights come on the dip beam of the headlight is made to illuminate to 20% of it normal intensity.

I think it's in the manual somewhere.

Andy