Dim Headlight relay fix

[Mike Shumack]

Peter;
I assume you have a push-pull style headlight switch on the dash. When you pull the knob out to the first position, do the marker lights (and dash lights) come on?

When you pull the knob out all the way, do the tail lights, marker lights and dash lights work?

Do the high beam lights work?

Does the high beam "indicator light" turn on and off, when you use the High-Low beam switch? When you say "Dimmer switch" you mean the High-Low beam switch mounted on the steering column  (not the switch that dims the dash lights), correct?

[Peter Whiting]

Hi Mike.  Thanks for your quick response.

The answer is "yes" to all of your questions.

We are on a long distance trip, currently in Ohio, having departed Anacortes, WA 10 days ago. We had not had to drive at night since purchasing the coach 3 months ago and I neglected to check the headlights before leaving.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Peter,
You do not have the headlight mod. Your electrical bay photo shows a stock 08 bay. The stock headlight circuit uses 2 relays, K1A the headlight power relay (think it's one on upper left of your photo) and RLH30, the Hi/Lo beam relay (the one on your PC board). Not sure which one you swapped out but in any case, be sure new relay has same # of blades as original.

Note that ignition must be ON for headlights to work. Marker and other lights will work with ign off. To locate problem, with ign on and headlight switch on, you should have 12v+ at pin 1 of K1A. (Pull relay to check pin 1 receptacle). If not, you have a bad hdlight switch or Fuse F58 is blown. If you have 12v at pin 1, replace relay and check pin 86 of RLH30. you should have 12V there. If not, K1A is probably bad. If you have voltage there and no headlights, either the relay is bad or you have a bad dimmer switch. If you have voltage on pin 30 of the relay (with relay installed), it's the dimmer switch.
Diagram can be located in Coach Assist; 2008 Contessa wiring diagrams (zip file).
Steve

[Peter Whiting]

Thank you Steve,

I will troubleshoot further when the wind and rain stop.......

If it turns out to be the dimmer switch, do you have any idea where one can be sourced?  Also, the plastic shroud around the steering wheel post seems to be held on by steel "buttons".  Do they unscrew to release the shroud?

[Mike Shumack]

The Steering column is made by Douglas Autotech. They have documents on the procedures to repair/replace some components (like the "clock spring" assembly), but you need the model number (tag on steering column) to know which repair document to download and what part number you need. http://www.douglasautotech.com/

I think this is the item you need, but I have not been able to locate the part number yet.

[Peter Whiting]

I think the switch is a Autotech TS012.  I need to find where to buy one as most of the distributors seem to be out of them.  The instructions on how to replace it are attached.

[Bill Lampkin]

try E Bay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DOUGLAS-AUTOTECH-TURN-SIGNAL-KIT-DAC-TS012-/143676430629

[Rick Vyncke]

Contact Mike at Beaver Coach Sales (Bend, OR) parts department.

[Peter Whiting]

I corresponded with Douglas Autotech about the dimmer switch. I ordered one from wheelerfleet.com as a replacement and it solved the problem.

[Bill Lampkin]

Glad you got it working!