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Highbeam problems
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40709
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Author:  Ajin [ Sat Jun 19, 2010 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Highbeam problems

Hi, I am new here and I am from Sweden and I just bought a Plymouth Valiant -67. Its one of the most "unique" cars I have seen.
It started its life as a Swedish policecar and then ended up horribly abused until I bought it.

I have a little problem with it. The switching from lowbeam to highbeam does not always work. The switch is fine but I am looking for the relay or what it is that is doing the "click" sound when its working. I dondon'tow what its called but its on the firewall above the engine. I dondon'tve a floorswitch, the switch is on the turninglights-lever.
Could it also be the lightswitch on the dashboard that is causing the problem?

PS. Just wanted to add a photo of the car to :)



Image

Author:  wjajr [ Sun Jun 20, 2010 6:08 am ]
Post subject: 

Hi Ajin, and welcome aboard.

Now that is one strange looking beast you have there… Quad headlights in all! I kind of like it!

There defiantly has been some hacking done to your headlight circuitry. These cars, USA versions, all had floor mounted headlight dimmer switches. I wonder if Sweden required stock mounted switching, which meant some after market rewiring had to be performed at the time of import. Perhaps Slantsixdan, our automotive lighting guru here at Slant Six could pitch in here with a little background on the subject.

I would first suspect that the dimmer switch is getting worn, or is dirty, and not making good contact each time it is operated. Try to test it with a test light, or meter to determine if that switch is working properly.

Second: Make sure all the connections in the headlight circuits are tight, clean & corrosion free including the grounding wires located in the front of the car near the headlights. Replace any bad wire, and clean all landing points where these ground wires attach to the body.

Third: Test the operation of any relays that dimmer switch may be controlling. These relays could be located anywhere under the dash or hood due to the non standard headlight configuration you car has.

Also, perhaps the blue, and missing light were set up to flash when turned on independent of the primary factory headlights. I suspect there is a set of blinkers & relays located somewhere also that control these cop lights.

Lastly, get a copy of the Factory Service Manual for your car. These can be found on line, and will make your life much easer when working on your Valiant. Every little thing is covered with great detail on how your car is to work, and how to fix it, as well as electrical wiring diagrams.

Author:  Ajin [ Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:41 am ]
Post subject: 

I took out the relay and cleaned it inside and outside.
The picture is the relay that controls high/low beam.
Works fine for now but are there any modern version of this relay?
I have a relay that swithces output between 2 connections (78 and 78b)?
depending if there is power on the controlinput(76) or not.


Image

The lights on the roof is just there for the looks and no wires/relay/switches are there because of swedish law.

and the extra pair of headlights is not connected but i am looking for a new one but need the chrome "mounting ring" around it.

And i am going tho change both outer headlights to because they are exactly like the ones in this
thread and swedish inspection does not let people use them.


Also this box/relay is also in the car near the right headlight.
What it is? I am guessing something about the extra pair of headlights.

Image

Author:  Sam Powell [ Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:25 am ]
Post subject: 

If the switching relay is clicking, and switches voltage, follow the leads from it and you will likely find it leads to that box by the lights. I would start over and put a set of standard relays in to switch from low to high beam. Dan Stearn Lighting sells a kit for that. Go to his web site, (Google) and you will find it.

Sam

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