Dipped head lamps out ...

... so am left with main beam only.

The stalk will not operate dipped lights. Only main beam and side lights.

It seems that there are separate fuses for left and right dipped, and since both lights don't work it shouldn't be fuse problem.

Presumably new stalk?
More expensive repairs with specialist garage. Groan!

Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks Miles

You don’t say which car you have, f or tf. I happened to have the tf circuits open on the computer & had a glance at that page. I didn’t look at the f diagram because I was busy writing up some other work & assumed Roverlike would have cast his (impressive) expertise over the problem, coming back with an erudite response. He’s not been on for a while, hope he’s OK.
Yes it does look like the switch from your description, two fuses failing is not unknown but it would be off.
Replacing the switch mechanism isn’t a tough job & it can be done without a major strip down.
My recollection is one of removing the three screws from the steering column cowl, then the two screws from the stalk/switch assembly, wiggling the switch out, unplugging the connector & in true Haynes fashion replacement is a reciprocal of removal.
It is a good while since I replaced one but even if that isn’t 100% it’ll be a good enough outline for you to follow.
M

I doubt this will be an expensive repair. Follow basic troubleshooting.
Has the fault just occurred out of the blue ? Has any work been carried out on the car recently ? Have you tested the outputs from the stalk switch with a multimeter?


There is a new stalk on mgfntfbitz for £ 60 or a used one for £ 24. Checkout Rimmers also. As Airportable advised the stalks are quite straightforward to change so no reason to pay anyone else to do it.

Another thought, if you have scrapyard near, you’ll find the same switch in most, if not all Rovers from the Honda Rover collaboration, this family onwards 200/25 400/45 etc will have one for one replacements. The Land Rover Freelander stalks (I think it’s the Freelander) will also fit.
M

It used to be a very popular upgrade to change the stalks for rover 800 series/ freelander units.. How to
They are better quality and are a direct swap fit. The only thing that doesn't work is the adjustable delay wipe

Thanks David, that took me back, I remember reading this years ago & it inspired me to change mine. Having them was also the inspiration to my experimenting with the variable intermittent wipe. The write up on the delay system is also interesting, comments on the restricted range of the system were correct & ultimately resolved but please don’t ask me to remember how I did it, that lot is water long under the bridge.
There’s only one of my systems left & that’s under my dash & I’m not looking at it ever again.
I found it interesting the number of contributors to what was a fairly simple post.
Other than you David how many of those contributors are still active; it was like a bunch of mates having a drink together at the pub (Ye Olde Blown Gasket) & chatting about a common interest.
M

Thank you all for your helpful advice.

We have a friendly Subaru garage, 3 mins walk away, who did a quick check and tracked the problem to the column switch; and you guys pointed me to a s/h tested replacement from https://www.mgfntfbitz.co.uk/ for £24, plus your simple refitting instructions, so I will get them to do this. Phew!
Thanks again.