Main beam

[HenryM3]

Just discovered by accident that if I put the main beam stalk to main beam with the ignition on the main beams light up? If I switch on side lights and put stalk to main beam they come on as well. Don’t know how long this fault has been present, could be years, now that I know I need it fixed. Before I try and find a headlight wiring diagram has anyone got any bright ideas

[steve_k]

i thought that was normal? mines done that for ages.

[coopman]

I'm pretty sure mine does that too.

[HenryM3]

If someone could confirm that I’d be greatful. Can’t believe I’ve owned the car 21 years and never noticed that. If it is supposed to be like that I’d have disappeared up my own backside trying to find a fault

[paultv]

Yep - just checked the wiring diagram - Hot in Run and Start - so should flash with ign on - during start up and engine running, nothing when the car is switched off.

Paul

[coopman]

It means you can park up discreetly at night and flash to alert your dealer/agent/mistress.

[paultv]

all three.....

[flybynite]

And if you keep playing you will put the parking lights on and that will confuse you even more

[Tzantushka]

It’s winter here and I can’t believe I went out to the carport in the cold, dark night to satisfy my own curiosity...

Ignition off = only Park lights
Ignition on but not running = park lights, main and high beam
Ignition run = same (of course)

[martauto]

It’s winter here and I can’t believe I went out to the carport in the cold, dark night to satisfy my own curiosity...

Ignition off = only Park lights
Ignition on but not running = park lights, main and high beam
Ignition run = same (of course)

My E30 and E46 do the same so it may be a BMW thing?
What do you call "cold"??

Mart.

[fixedwheelnut]

Standard all early BMW's do that

[BenHar]

Surely all cars do that with the ignition on?

That's how you flash the lights when they are off.

Ben

[HenryM3]

Not meaning to go on about this but no one has the same problem as I have. Driving along, no lights on. Accidentally knock the light stalk to main beam. Main beam comes on and stays on until you put the stalk to dipped beam position.

[onthames]

Does the light come on on the dash when you put main beams on without headlight switch pulled?

[HenryM3]

Yes it does

[paultv]

This is correct - push the stalk away from you - the high beam latches on - return to centre off position - they go off - pull stalk tawards you the lights flash - and don't lock on.

Paul

[martauto]

This is correct - push the stalk away from you - the high beam latches on - return to centre off position - they go off

What is the meaning of this ?
As in why ?

Mart.

[Cloggy Saint]

This is correct - push the stalk away from you - the high beam latches on - return to centre off position - they go off - pull stalk tawards you the lights flash - and don't lock on.

Paul

Even without the light switch pulled?

[paultv]

Nothing works with ignition off.

Ignition and engine run - you can always flash you high beams - with the light switch in any position including off.

You can only latch your high beams on ( stick pushed away ) with the light switch pulled to headlights position, does not work with sidelamps only.

Paul

[HenryM3]

After 21 ears it’s great to know the problem I thought I had isn’t a problem at all. . This should encourage me to stop looking for problems. Probably won’t though.

[DanThe]

I read the initial post as you pushed the stalk forward to main beam on, not pulled the stalk back to flash main beam?

[HenryM3]

Yes that’s correct, just to reiterate, ign on engine off. Push stalk forward the main beams light up. Exactly the same with engine running. Exactly the same with side lights switched on.

[DanThe]

Then no my E30's do not do this, I know because I have a habit of knocking the stalk forward without realising, then when I turn the lights on they come on with the full beam too

[HenryM3]

Thanks for that, I’ll see if I can find a wiring diagram and do a little digging

[HenryM3]

I decided to do some checks today and find after looking at a wiring diagram that I have a permanent earth at pin 85 at K4 relay. Also I have 12v on pin 86 in accessory. Should be earth to K4 pin 85 when the headlight switch is on. Pin 86 should be 12v on Run and Start.
Started with the headlight switch. It works perfectly pin 11 only sends out earth with headlight switch on. Yet K4 Pin 85 has a permanent earth.
Have entered unchartered waters and looked inside the fuse box. Not comfortable at all. However I find that Pin 85 has a home made permanent earth. There is no continuity between the light switch wire and the fuse box. This fix is probably within my skill set. Find the break and fix or renew the wire. Would rather fix as I won’t have that colour wire.
Pin 86 has another home made fix as it’s wired to Fuse 12 (radio etc), haven’t been able to find where the correct wire or colour to try and fix this.
Hats of to those of you that feel comfortable with wiring.

[paultv]

It's amazing the lengths people go to to fix something that's easier to repair correctly......!!!

Good for you for digging deeper...I hope you locate the problem...

Paul