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DarkWheel



Member Since: 08 Jul 2013
Location: Manchester
Posts: 25
United Kingdom 1997 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Rioja Red
Can anyone shed some light on my headlight problem?
Last night my head lights stopped working on my 1997 Defender 110 300tdi.

If I put the sidelights on, the rear and front sidelights come on, the the main lights (in low) and the dashboard lights come on - all good.

If I then switch to the second position - what I would usually consider to be my normal setting, all the lights go off including the dashboard lights - all bad!

If the fuse had gone, would it affect the dashboard lights?

Has anyone had experience of this or shall I assume a faulty switch and replace it?

Cheers

Pete Getting there slowly is far better than not getting there fast
Post #388699 15th Jan 2015 12:10pm
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steve E



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Tenby
Posts: 2073
Wales 
I would certainly start with the fuse and go from there.
Post #388700 15th Jan 2015 12:13pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6605
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
The fuse shouldn't cause all the lights to go out. I would be looking at the switch.  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #388705 15th Jan 2015 12:21pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17386
United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
It will be the usual melted switch problem. Replace the main lighting switch.

A very common problem!
Post #388707 15th Jan 2015 12:23pm
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SiWhite



Member Since: 19 Jan 2010
Location: North Hampshire
Posts: 455
United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
x3. Switch. My blog - www.anacreinhampshire.blogspot.co.uk

110 TD5 BuildHERE - sold!
110 Tdci Build HERE - sold!
Passat Alltrack - 4x4, auto, 45mpg, gloriously comfortable - but not a Defender!
Post #388711 15th Jan 2015 12:59pm
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Lou Sparts



Member Since: 15 Apr 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 1501
United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
I've had several light switches melt on my Defenders but when I lost the headlights I still had side lights and dash lights ! So may not be the switch, having said that it is still a good place to start. 2005 Td5 90 XS

Steve
Post #388721 15th Jan 2015 1:34pm
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roel



Member Since: 08 Aug 2009
Location: Lelystad
Posts: 2039
Netherlands 2003 Defender 90 Td5 PU Caledonian Blue
Eathing? Roel

1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001)
1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009)
2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts.
2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)
Post #388742 15th Jan 2015 3:10pm
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DarkWheel



Member Since: 08 Jul 2013
Location: Manchester
Posts: 25
United Kingdom 1997 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Rioja Red
Thanks everyone,

I think I'm first going to check the wiring on the switch and see which type it is - I see there are a couple to choose from when buying a replacement. If I can't get it going, I'll replace the switch.

Pete Getting there slowly is far better than not getting there fast
Post #388782 15th Jan 2015 5:08pm
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uncas



Member Since: 22 Nov 2012
Location: Wentworth near Rotherham
Posts: 340
United Kingdom 
Mine did exactly the same on Saturday night it was the switch. Luckily I had a new spare one in the garage. Scare yourself and ring your local land rover dealers for a price I think mine cost £18.00 from an indie. It took all of 20 mins to fit.

Uncas
Post #388800 15th Jan 2015 5:57pm
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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069
2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Have you fitted high power lamps ? Over 60watts and switches melt.. Cr@ppy design

Another thought .. Do you have dim dip?
Post #388802 15th Jan 2015 6:01pm
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SGH



Member Since: 27 Sep 2010
Location: Hellingly-Sussex
Posts: 1527
United Kingdom 
Switch on my 110 has packed up got side and flash but no dip.
Post #388810 15th Jan 2015 6:28pm
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uncas



Member Since: 22 Nov 2012
Location: Wentworth near Rotherham
Posts: 340
United Kingdom 
Mine has dim dip.

Uncas
Post #388813 15th Jan 2015 6:33pm
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Dave T



Member Since: 07 Jun 2013
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 490
United Kingdom 1994 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Cairns Blue
I would go switch and then do the headlamp wiring mod, it will give you a far better light output 2015 RRS Autobiography SDV6
1994 Def 90 300tdi
Post #388932 16th Jan 2015 7:22am
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MadTom



Member Since: 10 Sep 2013
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 622
Czech Republic 1999 Defender 130 Td5 HCPU Baltic Blue
If switch and fuses are OK, there should be problem with connector headers placed in the dashboard. If the headers there are tiny contacts used for connecting more wire together. And they can easily burn. I had the same problem. Solution was simply cut out the headers and replace them with proper soldered joints with some heatshrink tubes used for mechanical stability and isolation. "Drobek" = The Small One - Discovery 2, "Blufínek" = The Blue Thing - Defender 130, and for me at least Ford Mondeo Smile
Post #389074 16th Jan 2015 4:23pm
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DarkWheel



Member Since: 08 Jul 2013
Location: Manchester
Posts: 25
United Kingdom 1997 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Rioja Red
Thanks again everyone. I've ordered a switch so will let you know if that fixes the issue.

However I have some more symptoms to the diagnostics.

Last night as a test, I tried pulling the stalk back to flash the main beam - that works fine.

However, pushing it forward to turn on the main beam causes a buzzer to sound within the dash. This is a new sound to me and I've had the Defender for 18 months! I assume a buzzer will be an "idiot warning" for leaving your lights on. This is something I do regularly as when I set off for work it's dark and by the time I arrive it's daylight, and I have never heard the warning on getting out. Also the buzzer sounds (At the moment with the faults I'm having) when the door is shut!

Did the 97 Defender come with the buzzer as standard, or do you think is it an aftermarket one fitted by a previous owner that could be part of my problem? It does sound very "tinny" and cheap.

Cheers all Getting there slowly is far better than not getting there fast
Post #389082 16th Jan 2015 4:43pm
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