Fog Lamps

[TheBaldMonk]

Just doing the final prep work on the Montego for the MOT on Saturday and I've noticed that my fog light circuit isn't working, then upon further thoughts, fog lights don't usually work if your headlights are not on.

Start the car, switch the switch on the stalk, sidelights fine, headlights DAMN, no headlights.

Full beams working fine, fuses seem fine, would I be right in pointing my finger at the switch? if so, how do I get to it? somebody put the switch in there, how do I get it back out? If t is the switch though, how come the sidelights still work in the headlamp position? I know they should do normally but this leads me to beleive its a strange switch.

Starting to worry now as the MOT runs out on the 7th April and I'm not sure how long I've been driving without headlights:eek:

[Quality]

the switch may have broken, a second hand one cost me 10 quid from a scrapper, just unscrew the plastic cover, and the switch should slide off if you push the two lugs. taking the wheel off makes the job easier, but it isn't too hard without.

not sure if it is the probllem though:confused:

[tony]

sounds like a good place to start tho

[H48HPE]

this same problem happened to me, it was the switch at fault, its the switch that controls the dip that messes up, the sidelights are not effected, if you leave sidelights on the dimdip headlights work but if you put the headlights on the dimdip goes out leaving just side lights.

to get to the switch remove the screws holding the steering cowling on and take the cowling off. access is made easyer by removal of the steering wheel but i didnt bother, itll be obvious once your in what you need to do.

my stalk switch was a fiver from the scrapper and they usually have them on the shelf.



Andy

[TheBaldMonk]

Thanks does anyone have any ideas how many amps the switch has to cope with?

[TheBaldMonk]

Further to the previous note, I am looking at opening the stalk and swapping the twiddly switch (technical term) with a cheapy 3 position slide switch from Maplin. This is until I have the MOT cert when I can find a new stalk at my leisure.

I presume this is the switch that is likely to be faulty, I've had a quick feel around the back of the stalk and can feel a small hole towards the center so presume that it just screws together. I'm going to have a quick look at it tonight and see what I can do but I only have an hour before I have to babysit and the MOT's at 10:00 tomorrow.

Never mind I suppose it'll just fail and I'll still find out what else needs doing :rolleyes:

[Dave]

The pink dim dip relay located above the fuse box is often to blame aswell... if replacing the switch doesnt help swap this unit too.

Dave.

[TheBaldMonk]

Ok, got a new stalk for £10 at a scrappy in Trafford Park, that includes him taking it off the car so thats even better. Will try that tonight and see if that helps (hopefully this one will work).
:p

Keep your finger crossed for me:laugh:

[talkingcars]

1) Silly question, were you testing the lights with the ignition on?
To test the side light bulbs the ignition needs to be off. When you turn on the ignition the dipped beam lights glow until you turn the ignition on when they get full power. The full beam will also only stay on with the ignition on but you will get flash at anytime.

2)IMHO there is a design fualt in the headlights in that all the power goes through the stalk. This results eventully in the wires failing due to over heating, I have seen this several times.

3) Make sure the new stalk is compatable with the old one, some have fibre optics to illuminate the stalk.

4) Fitting is childs play, remove the cowling, there are 2 clips to hold the stalk to the column, they can be fiddly, disconnect the single strand fibreoptic wire if fitted, disconnect the multi connector.

James

[TheBaldMonk]

Great news :) New stalk did the job, it's all working now, side lights, headlights, full beam AND both fog lights. Boy am I chuffed.

I did actually find out what was wrong with the old one, it was obvious once I removed the cowling... A cable had come off, just resoldered it, tested it and now I have a spare ;)

Thanks all

[talkingcars]

That is good news.

Personally I wouldn't recomend dismantling the stalk as there are a number of fiddly bits that are easly lost.