Lights: Normal Beam switching off on highbeam

[s2carlo]

Hi all,

Yesterday I noticed that if the lights on my coupe S2 are switched on @ normal beam and I just flash with the highbeam, the normal lights (lenses) stay on.
If I switch on the highbeam, the normal lights (lenses) are turned off.

Is this normal?

Headlightunits are ABY, with the lenses.
Hope someone can check the behaviour on his/her car and let me know.

What's the goal, why not leave them on??

Thanks
Carlo

[NoNonsense]

to keep your post at the top of the list, I can tell you that your headlight behavior is the same as the American cars. HOWEVER, we get the crappiest headlights ever. So when we switch to the European ellipsoids for headlights, we often rewire to the battery with a set of relays and maybe a couple diodes to make the highbeams work with the lo-beams. I'm pretty sure that the Euro cars have both lights on when they select the high-beam. The beam is too much of a pencil beam and you loose sight of what is immediately close to you and just on the sides of the roads (potholes, debris, bodies, you know...)...so this is why we set up the relays to make both work. Hopefully someone else from Europe will chime in. I've been really curious about this myself. Good luck!

[Skull]

Yeah that`s right. Both on with the high beam. Go to an elecrician and make him rewire the headlights with relays. This way you save the switches too. I think there was a thread........

[Graham]

I dont know how they are wired but i do know that both my dipped and main beam work when when i put the main beam on, and for increased visability i sometimes stick the fogs on aswell, they work ok but i want some HID's when i get the cash. Funnily enough the lights on the S2 are not a match for my old NOVA SR, whos headlights were blinding, with just the cheap halfords upgrades. Episoids look good but they are not as effective ---yet :mischeif:

[S2central.net]

Sorry guys lets get this right.

3B's were fitted with H4 twin filament bulbs.

The ABY style ellipsoidal lights are 2 x H1 single filament bulbs.

This means that when you fit ABY lamps into a 3B that you have to modify the wiring at the light stalk so that the dipped beams stay on when you select high beam.

The modification is a short bridge connection between two pins on the light switch. Sorry but I cannot remember details - it has been posted here before.

PS - Relays near the lights are good policy (reduced voltage drop and increased light) unless you plan to upgrade to HIDs anytime soon.

Paul

[martinjs]

Ive done this, details in this thread http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5490

I just moved one wire to another location.

martin

[s2carlo]

Ive done this, details in this thread http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5490

I just moved one wire to another location.

martin

Hi Martin,

moving the wire from one position to the other caused the dipped beam to stay on while the high beam was switched on?
Nothing else changed?

Would a loop between the two positons improve or damage anything?

The connectionblock can easely be reached by removing the housing behind the steeringwheel?

If so I a m going to try this aswell

[panzerwagen]

Agree with NoNonsense.

Since modding to RS2 lites I've used 3 relays to achieve what he is refering too. Works for me!!

[NoNonsense]

I need a new switch right now...I wonder if there is a difference between the Euro stalk switch and the US one. I've been meaning to ask vagparts. Martyn...this is when you should chime in on the post!

[90quattrocoupe]

I need a new switch right now...I wonder if there is a difference between the Euro stalk switch and the US one. I've been meaning to ask vagparts. Martyn...this is when you should chime in on the post!

Hi,
The stalks are the same. When I installed my S2 non air bag wheel, I purchased the steering wheel housings, top and bottom, from Germany. I needed these for the horn to work. the housings came with the stocks. I thought about leaving the ones with the German language on them, but then I decided I wouldn't be able read them.

Unplugged the German ones and plugged the USA ones in. Everything worked, so same stocks and same wiring.

Greg

[s2carlo]

Ive done this, details in this thread http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5490

I just moved one wire to another location.

martin

Hi Guys,

I just checked out the harnas on the back of the switch and it looks like the one Joe showed in the other thread.
I think I am going to make a bridge (with diode) just behind the connector between the yellow (dipped) and black/white (high beam) wire. :mischeif:

Then I'll have the functionality as whiched, and keep the load on the fuses the same, and I need only one bridge / diode

Any comments on the Idear??

Regards
Carlo

[NoNonsense]

Hi Guys,

I just checked out the harnas on the back of the switch and it looks like the one Joe showed in the other thread.
I think I am going to make a bridge (with diode) just behind the connector between the yellow (dipped) and black/white (high beam) wire. :mischeif:

Then I'll have the functionality as whiched, and keep the load on the fuses the same, and I need only one bridge / diode

Any comments on the Idear??

Regards
Carlo

s2carlo, are you talking about this pic?
Just for the record, that is the stalk off a 1995 US-spec sedan. Please perform those modifications at your own risk! hehe And then, please let us know if it works for you. I may very well try this out today...I don't have much to loose because my headlight stalk is already fried and needs replacement. I think i have some diodes lying around. It would be a neat modification if it works out. Good luck!

[s2carlo]

s2carlo, are you talking about this pic?
Just for the record, that is the stalk off a 1995 US-spec sedan. Please perform those modifications at your own risk! hehe And then, please let us know if it works for you. I may very well try this out today...I don't have much to loose because my headlight stalk is already fried and needs replacement. I think i have some diodes lying around. It would be a neat modification if it works out. Good luck!

That's the picture and that is what the harnas on my 91 S2 looks like.
I can not think of any objections to my idear.
I have to get a diode that can handel about 8A continious current.
I don't think it's really necessary that heavy but, better safe then sorry.

This solution would leave all standard circuits and securities in place.
I even think I need just one diod because (obviously) the "feedback" is cut of at the stalk. Maybe just ob be safe I will put one in.

[NoNonsense]

That's the picture and that is what the harnas on my 91 S2 looks like.
I can not think of any objections to my idear.
I have to get a diode that can handel about 8A continious current.
I don't think it's really necessary that heavy but, better safe then sorry.

This solution would leave all standard circuits and securities in place.
I even think I need just one diod because (obviously) the "feedback" is cut of at the stalk. Maybe just ob be safe I will put one in.

the only problem I can see, s2carlo, is that you might damage your stalk because it might try to power both dipped and hi beams when it used to only power one beam. it might pull too much current and get HOT when you run the hi-beams. Most of us here in the states have rewired the headlights to the battery with a set of relays which eliminates any power spikes back to the stalk...in fact, the stock is only required to "close" the relay, which usually only requires 8volts. then we either relay or add a diode in between the high beam and dipped beam to activate both.
good luck and keep us posted on what you do. perhaps you should consider relaying the headlights like us...it's pretty simple. the hardest part is deciding where to put the relays!!

[Skull]

Go for relays man, my electrician wants 30 euros for the job? Is it worth risking?!?!? Plus jou get more power to the bulbs, and you save the switches. enuff said...