Headlamp problem. Relay?

[spacehopper]

Strange headlamp problem. Sometimes when lights are switched from dip to beam there is a delay before beam kicks in. Unfortunately during this delay dip goes out too.! Generally it doesn't happen or it happens very quick but sometimes it can be up to 2 seconds - thats 2 seconds without headlamps!

I'm assuming some kind of relay fault. Manual only mentions a relay fleetingly and its not in the wiring diagram. I think the relay it refers to is something next to passenger side headlamp, on front panel behind heater ducting? That right? (Its late, dark and I don't want to rip dash apart to find its not what I'm looking for!!).

Doesn't look like any relay I recognise! Anyone know if it can be bypassed/removed or replaced with modern relay? Or where I can get a replacement?

Its an H reg van (the 'relay' on my late Suzuki scrapper looks totally different).

[TITCH]

Ah.. yes , it's a ..what's it called thingy...

You'll get it without a dash removal, very awkward but I did it without the chainsaw through the dash, so anyone can!!

Looks like a rectifier with cooling ribs, about the size of a fag packet, one bolt I think holds it on.
It may just be a bad earth to it, or it's knacked.

Dell Boy or Tim will have them.. I've got one but afraid it's a spare...

Crane Ya neck under the passenger footwell, you'll see it!

Titch

[Dell Boy]

Its the dim/dip relay. Terrifying when it does its trick on a wet night in a country lane. I think I bypassed it on my Bambi but it was a long time ago.
Haynes manual page 12:3 illustration 3:14.
I`m sure I have one.
Derek.

[>>CHOP<<]

i had similar problem ...i stripped stalks off steering pole...and spray cleaned the switch mechanism and contacts....put it all back together and had no problems since

[spacehopper]

Its the dim/dip relay. Terrifying when it does its trick on a wet night in a country lane.
I`m sure I have one.
Derek.

Thanks to all for the replies.

Yup, most of my driving these days seems to be on a wet night on a country lane! So its a little scary!
At least I was looking at the right thing - cooling fins and stuff. Never seen a relay like it! I'll have a fiddle with it tonight or tomorrow but Dell if you have one I'll more than likely like to get it off you if thats okay.

[Dell Boy]

I`ll have a root through on thursday to see if I can find one.

Derek.