How to switch from high beams to regular headlights Unique

86Sebring · #1 (**permalink**) 07-29-2021, 05:31 PM

Hi guys
On a early 90's build Unique FIA I can't figure out how to switch from high beams to regular lights. I tried the turn signal lever but it won't work.
Is there a hidden switch somewhere?
First time last night I went for a drive in the evening and I must have blinded everybody, ha

Snake2998 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-30-2021, 03:57 AM

Do you perhaps have a foot high beam switch? Maybe they "floored" it????"

Ahshoe · #3 (**permalink**) 07-30-2021, 06:26 AM

Any chance there is a toggle switch on the dash for it. Some models or builders install it there.

Buzz · #4 (**permalink**) 07-30-2021, 07:22 AM

I was the second owner of an early Unique 427 and when I bought it, it originally had a dash mounted toggle for the dimmer switch. I changed that out for a turn signal/dimmer switch happily supplied by Unique, along with everything else that I needed to update and upgrade my car.

Unique427 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2021, 03:53 AM

If you have the turn signal assembly with a horn button (VW) on the
knob end of the lever, high beams come on by pushing the lever
FORWARD toward the front of the car. Low beams toward the REAR.
If the lever goes forward/back and no high/low beams ... it's faulty.

Assume this has already been tried but thought I'd pass it along anyway.

86Sebring · #6 (**permalink**) 07-31-2021, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unique427

If you have the turn signal assembly with a horn button (VW) on the
knob end of the lever, high beams come on by pushing the lever
FORWARD toward the front of the car. Low beams toward the REAR.
If the lever goes forward/back and no high/low beams ... it's faulty.

Assume this has already been tried but thought I'd pass it along anyway.

Thanks, Yes, I have the VW tsa so that might be the problem. Turn signal and horn are working. Found no other switches on the floor or under the dash.

CHANMADD · #7 (**permalink**) 07-31-2021, 02:10 PM

Back of the the turn signal lever is a switch. Pull the lever towards you..and it activates the switch..click once high click again low, click again low..

86Sebring · #8 (**permalink**) 08-07-2021, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHANMADD

Back of the the turn signal lever is a switch. Pull the lever towards you..and it activates the switch..click once high click again low, click again low..

If I pull the switch towards me, the low beams are coming on, but they don't stay on, there is no click, when I let go of the switch, it goes back to high beams.
Could it be a faulty switch, even though the horn and blinkers work properly...?

86Sebring · #9 (**permalink**) 08-07-2021, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake2998

Do you perhaps have a foot high beam switch? Maybe they "floored" it????"

haha good one

Blas · #10 (**permalink**) 08-07-2021, 07:58 PM

Sounds like a bad relay if you are using a locking relay to control lighting.
Look for a larger sized relay, might say DIN127, could be silver or black.
Run thru the procedure for me to turn on your headlights.
Blas

86Sebring · #11 (**permalink**) 08-08-2021, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blas

Sounds like a bad relay if you are using a locking relay to control lighting.
Look for a larger sized relay, might say DIN127, could be silver or black.
Run thru the procedure for me to turn on your headlights.
Blas

thanks, so in order to turn on the lights, I pull a 2 step switch, not a toggle switch on the dashboard. First step/click is parking lights, second step/click goes straight to high beams...

Buzz · #12 (**permalink**) 08-08-2021, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Sebring

If I pull the switch towards me, the low beams are coming on, but they don't stay on, there is no click, when I let go of the switch, it goes back to high beams.
Could it be a faulty switch, even though the horn and blinkers work properly...?

Sounds like a physical malfunction of the lever/switch itself. There should at least be a distinctive click and the selection should hold until you click it again. If I recall correctly, the mechanicals are mostly comprised of flimsy plastic parts and it wouldn't be hard to break something.

Blas · #13 (**permalink**) 08-08-2021, 01:31 PM

Are there relays in the lighting circuit?
Somebody have a wiring diagram they can send me?
I suggest you first photograph the wiring on the switch, then remove it and bench test it with on OHM Meter. First confirm the switch is working. You can then follow the wiring to the low beams and make them work. I would assume there is at least one relay, or perhaps two hidden somewhere.
Diagram for me anyone?
Blas

Unique427 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-08-2021, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Sebring

If I pull the switch towards me, the low beams are coming on, but they don't stay on, there is no click, when I let go of the switch, it goes back to high beams.
Could it be a faulty switch, even though the horn and blinkers work properly...?

The stalk switch assembly should have a distinct detent when going
high to low (or back to high) and the lever moves and stays in that position.

There's a contact at the base of the stalk that's closed for high beam
and open for low beam. If there's no positive detent keeping the
stalk switch in the low beam position, what could be happening is
you're pulling the lever, and by force alone opening the contact,
switching to low beam. But, upon releasing the lever is moves
back to high beam position closing the contact.

If so, this is a faulty switch assembly. It's a LUCAS 119SA

86Sebring · #15 (**permalink**) 08-08-2021, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unique427

The stalk switch assembly should have a distinct detent when going
high to low (or back to high) and the lever moves and stays in that position.

There's a contact at the base of the stalk that's closed for high beam
and open for low beam. If there's no positive detent keeping the
stalk switch in the low beam position, what could be happening is
you're pulling the lever, and by force alone opening the contact,
switching to low beam. But, upon releasing the lever is moves
back to high beam position closing the contact.

If so, this is a faulty switch assembly. It's a LUCAS 119SA

That is exactly what is happening, there is no detent when pulling the lever towards me.

86Sebring · #16 (**permalink**) 08-08-2021, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blas

Are there relays in the lighting circuit?
Somebody have a wiring diagram they can send me?
I suggest you first photograph the wiring on the switch, then remove it and bench test it with on OHM Meter. First confirm the switch is working. You can then follow the wiring to the low beams and make them work. I would assume there is at least one relay, or perhaps two hidden somewhere.
Diagram for me anyone?
Blas

unfortunately I don't have a wiring diagram

Dwight · #17 (**permalink**) 08-08-2021, 08:51 PM

Unique did not install relays in their cars. But some of their customers did install relays.

I've installed relay in a few Unique.

Most of the turn signal units are MG. I've replaced several of them through the years.

I have access to Unique diagram.

86Sebring · #18 (**permalink**) 08-09-2021, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight

Unique did not install relays in their cars. But some of their customers did install relays.

I've installed relay in a few Unique.

Most of the turn signal units are MG. I've replaced several of them through the years.

I have access to Unique diagram.

Would you be so kind and email me a copy of the wiring diagram
emihu2000atyahoo.com