BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Carl Boger on April 04, 2020, 02:16:43 AM
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Since I have a little extra time at home right now I thought I would look into doing the dim headlight fix using relays. I watched the video and thought simple enough lets get to it. When I opened my panel it showed that the headlights where on circuit breaker position #3, and the low beams were on post 4 with the high beams on post 5. So far so good. I find the wire on post 4 that has 12 volts with the lights on and screw it down to the back of the post. Then I move on to post 5 the high beams and there are 3 wires going to it not just 2 as in the video.
I find the wire that has the 12 volts with the light on and moved it to the back and screwed it down. Now the figure out the other 2 wires. I pulled them out of the loom and all 3 wires have Hi Beam printed on them.
Now I am not sure how to do this fix! Any ideas why 3 wires on the Hi Beams and only 2 wires on the Low beams?
Anyone know how to proceed. Thanks Carl
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Carl,
The 3rd wire may go to the High Bean indicator on the dash. In any case should not cause any issues making the required hookup.
Steve
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Thanks Steve,
Was thinking that they are all already in contact with each other anyway. I didn't think about the light on the dash, and could not understand why it would need a separate wire for each hi beam.
I'll get back to doing the fix soon will probably ID which wire goes where first.
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That's a great idea, Carl. We have been home from Florida since Mar 25, and are in isolation. (miss the grandkids!). As soon as it warms up to a reliable day time temp in the 60s, I'm going to tackle that project. On the wish list for years!
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Steve,
Good Call on the 3rd wire going to the high beam indicator on the dash. I left it in place and did the rest according to the instructions. All I can say is WOW! At least on my coach it is night and day difference. For anybody on the fence this is a worthwhile project. Thanks Everyone Carl
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Carl,
Glad you got it installed. Amazing what ~4 extra DC volts does for headlights. :)
Steve
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Carl, it brings a smile everytime someone says they watched my video!
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Bill thank you for making the video and sharing your knowledge. If it put a smile on your face that is just a bonus for me. Carl
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Carl, where can we locate the video for the dim headlight relay?
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Todd,
Bill's video addresses Beavers with the Magnum chassis and is available in the Private BAC Members Only board under Common Problems along with a writeup.
There is also a writeup for Roadmaster chassis coaches that I put together after installing the fix in our 07 Contessa. It and the Magnum chassis writeup and video are located in Coach Assist wiring diagrams (at end of list) on the Private BAC Members only board.
Steve
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Thanks Steve! I just put new headlights and bulbs in our 08 Contessa and was underwhelmed.... I was thinking relays and this should be just what I'm looking for!
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Todd,
Steve beat me to answering the question, but if you have a low voltage issue I think you will be happy with the fix. The improvement is remarkable.
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Todd,
In addition to checking the voltage, make sure the headlights are aimed properly. The brightest headlight in the world won't be effective if it is mis-aimed.
Steve
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Carl, where can we locate the video for the dim headlight relay?
Todd,
The video with Roy Mueller has always been on YouTube. It is in two parts because there used to be a 8 minute limit. A few more views and it will be at 11,000, which is hard to believe.
Fun (for me) story was being at a reputable RV repair shop. A Beaver friend was excited that his headlights were made brighter. I asked to see what they did. He showed me his new relays. Apparently one of the techs had watched the video because the new parts were in exactly the same place Roy put them.
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We have a 2008 Contessa. The low beam headlights are not only dim, they aren't working at all. In the electrical bay, there are two headlight relays (see attached image) which I presume means the modification has been made. There is also the headlight fuse. I swapped out the relays with the spare that is found at the bottom of the board. The fuse link is intact. The lights still do not work. The dimmer switch or an open in the wiring circuit seems to be the only thing left as I presume that both headlights would not be burned out at the same time. The dimmer switch doesn't feel right when actuated so it may be the culprit.
I have searched the internet and can't find a replacement dimmer switch. Any ideas where one might be found?
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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?
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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.
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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
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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?
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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.
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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.
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try E Bay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DOUGLAS-AUTOTECH-TURN-SIGNAL-KIT-DAC-TS012-/143676430629
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Contact Mike at Beaver Coach Sales (Bend, OR) parts department.
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I corresponded with Douglas Autotech about the dimmer switch. I ordered one from wheelerfleet.com as a replacement and it solved the problem.
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Glad you got it working!