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High/low beam relay
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Murmsk
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:21 pm    Post subject: High/low beam relay Reply with quote

I have some questions about the wiring of the high/low beam relay specifically the signal to switch. When the lever is pulled does it ground or is it activated with 12v.

Steve
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AlmostHeavenWV_VW Premium Member
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:32 pm    Post subject: Re: High/low beam relay Reply with quote

"Trigger" from the dimmer stalk to the dimmer relay appears to be a ground wire


View the wire trace here in the 1970 wiring diagram

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiring/1970_VW_Type_1_Poster.jpg
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Cusser
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:59 pm    Post subject: Re: High/low beam relay Reply with quote

Ground
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ashman40
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:23 am    Post subject: Re: High/low beam relay Reply with quote

Concur with the the others... the dimmer switch grounds the "S" terminal of the dimmer relay when pulled.


Note that there are two types of headlight dimmer relays: 4-prong and 5-prong.

AFAIK, all US Spec Beetles came with the 4-prong dimmer relay. Euro spec cars had the 5-prong.

When shopping for a new one the 5-prong seems to be more common as an aftermarket replacement part. The 5-prong can be used as a replacement (prongs are in the same place as 4-prong), but you need to make sure the extra #30 terminal is powered. Either constantly powered (add a red wire to a fuse with constant 12v) or powered whenever the headlight switch is ON (powered from the same #56 wire that normally powers the relay). If the #30 terminal is not powered the dimmer relay often will not operate at all.
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