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Low beams off when high beams on?

Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 7:23 pm
by Davidh
Hi all,

I've been having an annoying problem whilst doing a few night drives recently.

When I pull the high beam lever towards me for the flash, low and high beams are on.
When I push the lever forward to stay on, the low beams drop off and just the high beams stay on.

Is this the intended setup for Discovery's?

I know Landcruisers keep the low beam's on when you go to high beams, so I was thinking it may be a Euro thing.

Oh yeah, I DID read the manual first too, bloody useless!

Re: Low beams off when high beams on?

Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 7:46 pm
by RUFF
Davidh wrote:Hi all,

I've been having an annoying problem whilst doing a few night drives recently.

When I pull the high beam lever towards me for the flash, low and high beams are on.
When I push the lever forward to stay on, the low beams drop off and just the high beams stay on.

Is this the intended setup for Discovery's?

I know Landcruisers keep the low beam's on when you go to high beams, so I was thinking it may be a Euro thing.

Oh yeah, I DID read the manual first too, bloody useless!


This is totaly Normal. I dont think that cruisers even keep the low beam on when on high beam.

Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 10:03 pm
by RaginRover
This is normal - my '76 rangie and my '91 rangie are the same

Tom

Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 7:22 am
by Davidh
Thanks guys!

I might have a look at the wiring at see if I can get the low beams to stay on with the high beams.
You just don't get enough light with only the high beams on.

Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 9:09 am
by p76rangie
The reason that Low beams are switched off is that the brighter the foreground (low beam) the harder it is to see long distance (high beam). So by having them both on may appear to give to more vision by it being brighter close to the vehicle, however it will make it harder to see into the distance.

Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 5:16 pm
by Davidh
Ahhh. Thanks p76rangie!

I knew there must have been a logical reason to why they've set them up this way.

Looks like I'll just have to get a pair of Lightforce and be done with it eh? :D

Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 8:28 pm
by Bush65
David,
Have you fitted relays for your headlights. They make a difference and are 1 of the must-do mods in my opinion.

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 7:10 am
by Davidh
Have you fitted relays for your headlights. They make a difference and are 1 of the must-do mods in my opinion.


No I haven't heard of this mod yet.
Was there a bad design in the headlight wiring from factory?
Now that you've mentioned it, i did notice in the Haynes manual that there weren't any headlight relays.

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 8:14 am
by red90
Stock wiring does not use relays. Everything goes through the switch. You can pick up dual 30 Amp relay boxes at any of the auto parts shops. Fit one, that will help, then throw in high wattage bulbs.

This is the relay mounted in the Disco I used to own.
Image

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 2:53 pm
by Davidh
Thanks for that red90!

Looks like i'll put in some relays and change the globes, but i'll have to put in new headlights first.
The current ones have rust on the bottom of the reflector and they fill up with water pretty easily.

Mostly dirty, filthy, boggy, muddy victorian water! :D

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 11:38 pm
by D9OSV
When you fit your relay, upgrade the earth to the bulb as this has a 'orrible habit of getting hot and melting when using bigger bulbs!

Even if you don't fit bigger bulbs its well worth it cos as we all know stock wiring is pretty poor.

Hope this helps