TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Nov 15, 2013 6:10 pm

I'm changing the dimmer relay on my '69 Bug and I could order one like this...
http://www.jbugs.com/product/111941583.html

or I could go down the street and get one of these tonight?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Sante...46045_0_0_

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/CTI0/8460...;ppt=C0335
the second one only has four prongs which concerns me, but I don't know because I'm not a mechanic..
So is there an honest difference? Not just "you have to buy the most genuine."

Fri Nov 15, 2013 7:13 pm

As long as it is 12V, there is no practical difference. A relay is a relay :)

Fri Nov 15, 2013 7:31 pm

cool thanks

Fri Nov 15, 2013 9:12 pm

Does it have the clip on top so you can mount it where it belongs?

http://air-cooled-vw-parts-search.mamotorworkstv.c.../md1/Bus/0

Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:32 am

1970VWGUY wrote: Does it have the clip on top so you can mount it where it belongs?

http://air-cooled-vw-parts-search.mamotorworkstv.c.../md1/Bus/0

The link doesn't go to a specific item?
Also, I thought all the relays plugged into the fuse box?

Sat Nov 16, 2013 7:07 am

Quote: I'm changing the dimmer relay on my '69 Bug and I could order one like this...
http://www.jbugs.com/product/111941583.htm
Of the 'choices', this is the ONLY headlight dimmer 'relay' in the bunch. The others listed are more of a hard start relay 'type'. You will NEVER be able to hook up the wires off of the old headlight 'relay' on to these and have them work as a headlight dimmer. :(

Sat Nov 16, 2013 4:13 pm

http://www.mamotorworkstv.com/vw/product/headlamp-dimmer-relay-354608/

This one has the clip on it..

Look at this one

http://www.airheadparts.com/vintage-vw-parts/headlight-relay/headlight-relay-111941583-oe

No they hang from the clip above the fuse block....not connected to it...except by wire connections

Are you looking at the correct part? Why do you think it's the relay?

Sun Nov 17, 2013 6:54 am

runamoc wrote: Quote: I'm changing the dimmer relay on my '69 Bug and I could order one like this...
http://www.jbugs.com/product/111941583.htm
Of the 'choices', this is the ONLY headlight dimmer 'relay' in the bunch. The others listed are more of a hard start relay 'type'. You will NEVER be able to hook up the wires off of the old headlight 'relay' on to these and have them work as a headlight dimmer. :(
runamoc has it right. The headlight dimmer relay is a "latching relay". The others appear to be SPDT relays.

You can usually tell by the terminal numbers.

SPDT relays:
#30 = power input
#85 & #86 = power activation + ground
#87a = normally close with #30
#87 = normally open with #30
The SPDT output alternates depending on when the relay is powered and when it is not powered.

The headlight dimmer relay has the following prong numbers:
#30 = constant battery power
#56 = input from headlight switch (when #56 is powered, current from #30 is allowed to flow out either #56a or #56b)
#31 = momentary ground trigger to swap outputs
#56a = output #1 (short to #30)
#56b = output #2 (short to #30)
The dimmer (latching) relay changes output each time the #31 trigger is grounded and the output remains that way until the #31 is triggered once again... regardless of the power flowing through the relay.
#56 controls if current flows to the output.
#31 toggles which output the current flows out from.

If you can look at the terminal numbering on the relay, you can see if it is actually a dimmer relay.

It is possible to use the less expensive SPDT relay to control whether the high or low beams are powered, but instead of the momentary turn signal level dimmer switch you will need to install a proper toggle switch somewhere that you turn ON for high beams and OFF for low beams.

Sun Nov 17, 2013 7:02 am

When my dimmer went out on my 71 sb, I put the old style in. You know which one I'm talking about, the old button on the floor. I like that a lot better than having the switch on the column, IMO.

Sun Nov 17, 2013 10:43 am

Yes, there was a lot of talk about making the column dimmer switch illegal here, due to too many blondes getting a leg stuck in the steering wheel trying to manipulate the dimmer on the column.....
:lol:

Mon Nov 18, 2013 12:09 am

Eric&Barb wrote: Yes, there was a lot of talk about making the column dimmer switch illegal here, due to too many blondes getting a leg stuck in the steering wheel trying to manipulate the dimmer on the column.....
:lol:

:roll: