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2010Blackdefender90

Member Since: 07 Jan 2018
Location: London
Posts: 562

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black

Headlights... off, then, then on again

Read that the switch / stalk is a problem... here’s my issue.

My2010 Defender..... Driving along, all OK, then total black out. Try the light switch, nothing, run on the DRL for a few mins with the flashers on, keep trying switch, they fire up.... it’s happened before, but only once each time / drive, last night, 4 times, then fine for rest of the hour long trip. No set time frame after start up when it happens, last night within 10 mins.

Switch, Relay, Stalk? Replace all 3

I haven’t checked the high / low / dip stalk when this happens to narrow this down, just read that could be a way to diag a problem.

I have J.W. Speaker LED Headlights and LED all round.

Thanks

12th Mar 2018 10:48am

ChrisCM

Member Since: 10 Jun 2013
Location: Cornwall uk
Posts: 572

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Santorini Black

I had a similar problem with my 2010 110 just before Xmas, switched on headlights, no joy, sidelights worked ok. Did the usual, stripped the column down checked the fuses, switches, wiring, connections, no visible problem, put it back together, it worked - for a time, so bought a new main switch, swapped it over, didn’t work! Put the old one back, it worked for a time so next time it happened, a few days later, I ordered a new dip/indicator switch. Started working again before I put in the new switch so being a great believer in “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke” I left it and, touch wood, it’s been fine! and I now have 2 spare switches.

So, in short (no pun intended) I never did get to the bottom of it! I think mine’s down to the Defender gremlins.

In the meantime I’ve fitted a boomslanger loom which should take the stress off the system.

Sorry I can’t narrow it down for you but I think the general consensus will be that it is the main light switch which takes the full current to the headlights, about 10A with halogens but probably less for LEDs. There’s no relay unless you’ve upgraded your loom. 2010 Defender 110 Station Wagon, Santorini Black.

12th Mar 2018 11:52am

2010Blackdefender90

Member Since: 07 Jan 2018
Location: London
Posts: 562

Thanks, the strange thing is, it never stays off... always comes back, after a few mins, or a few times on the main light switch, turn off / on.... it fires back up.... might change the light switch, cheapest option and see if the problem comes back.

12th Mar 2018 12:03pm

Tdi4

Member Since: 24 Oct 2014
Location: Houten
Posts: 513

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Stornoway Grey

Indeed the main switch is a weak point. It's always a good idea to keep the load of the switch.

But since you have all led I guess this isn't the case. It sounds like an earthing and or loom problem to me. I had it also and a previous had been tinkering with the loom and had all sorts of light problems. a defender from 1984 pretending to be a puma with a touch of Range Rover

12th Mar 2018 12:20pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20504

Try adding a temporary Earth path to the headlight loom, easily done and see if there is any difference.
If not, only 5 mins work to try.

No Guts, No Glory.
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12th Mar 2018 12:24pm

ChrisCM

Member Since: 10 Jun 2013
Location: Cornwall uk
Posts: 572

2010Blackdefender90 wrote:
Thanks, the strange thing is, it never stays off... always comes back, after a few mins, or a few times on the main light switch, turn off / on.... it fires back up.... might change the light switch, cheapest option and see if the problem comes back.

I think that’s the right thing to do, you can get an OEM one for less than £20, not too expensive in the scheme of things! 2010 Defender 110 Station Wagon, Santorini Black.

12th Mar 2018 12:35pm

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