"4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30" (4muddyfeet)
03/08/2015 at 15:10 • Filed to: LUCAS
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"4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30" (4muddyfeet)
03/08/2015 at 15:10 • Filed to: LUCAS | 2
| 16 |
The Land Rover lighting switch. I replaced this switch 8 months ago, and already its failed. The switch obviously can't handle it's own current, as the contacts have partially melted through their own housing so they can't be reached by the sprung copper bridge. That contact at the top is the off position, the middle is sidelights, and the bottom (obscured) is dipped beam. The difference between them is quite noticeable, and quite frankly ridiculous. My fogs and driving lights are seperately switched, so this is pure shitty Lucas, and now I've gotta fix it before I drive back home in the dark from my cold, poorly lit, draughty yard. At least I have a flask of tea.
Fuck you Lucas.
CB
> 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/08/2015 at 15:15 |
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I think this might be the most British post I've ever seen on this website.
Also, any aftermarket switches that can take the load better?
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/08/2015 at 15:19 |
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lol British Electronics are one of my favorite things to make fun of.
Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
> 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/08/2015 at 15:20 |
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Flask of tea? That's really a thing you brits do? Only think I keep in mine is jameson
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4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
> CB
03/08/2015 at 15:20 |
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Probably. When I got it, it had no switches at all, it's ex-army so I guess they'd been poached. Blindly stumbling onto the Paddock Spares website I just clicked what came up as compatible and said 'Yessir here's my money sir thank you very much sir.' More research needed this time.
djmt1
> 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/08/2015 at 15:21 |
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I just looked up Lucas on Wikipedia and I swear that company is cursed. Everyone who buys it ends up getting bought out by someone else.
Lucas to LucasVarity to TRW Inc to TRW Automotive to ZF
All of this in 20 years.
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4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
> Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
03/08/2015 at 15:23 |
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What's even worse is that it's fennel tea. There's a bottle of Jack in a cupboard here for emergencies.
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4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
> djmt1
03/08/2015 at 15:25 |
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Impressive though, isn't it? No one could say that they're not a wholly remarkable company.
jmedarts
> 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/08/2015 at 15:57 |
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Are you sure it's getting the correct current? Maybe something else in the circuit is malfunctioning, not enough to blow a fuse but enough to cook your switch. Unlikely I know but so is a switch design that poor.
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4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
> jmedarts
03/08/2015 at 16:14 |
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It's a known fault according to a couple of LR forums. Aftermarket switch next time...
wacopalypsenow
> CB
03/08/2015 at 16:23 |
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that can take the load better?
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CB
> wacopalypsenow
03/08/2015 at 16:25 |
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V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
> 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/08/2015 at 19:32 |
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Does the circuit have a relay built in?
Good way to modify them here: http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php… -switch-keeps-failing&highlight=headlight+relay
I know it's not LR specific, but can steer you in the right direction....
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/09/2015 at 02:19 |
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On stupid old Lucas things like this, dielectric grease can be your friend. Liberally coat the switches and all but fill the inside of the switch housing. It will help to prevent arcing and manage heat. Works great in plastic bulb sockets as well.
gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
> 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/09/2015 at 03:19 |
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Relays were mentionned below, but I'll throw in another comment on them. Jeep, in their infinite wisdom, for many years ran the headlights directly though the switch... the entire current from the headlights had to go through the switch. It was fine when everything was new, but as the electrics got older and started corroding, the load was too much for the switch. They melt, and eventually fail, sometimes setting themselves on fire, often taking the whole Jeep with them. But there's a solution. A number of aftermarket companies make a relay harness. It's a supplemental harness that goes between the bulb and the bulb's socket, using the stock headlight wiring to trigger relays, so that the load from the headlights doesn't pass through the weak point at the switch. Putco makes some which I see recommended in many places, although I've seen a couple others. I made my own, based on this write-up: http://jeep-xj.info/HowtoHeadlight…
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4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
> gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
03/09/2015 at 04:35 |
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Nail on the head. That's exactly what Land Rover do too. I'm going to have a look for a better aftermarket part, but if there's nothing suitable then I'll definitely go down the really route, although adding more electronics to a Land Rover seems counterproductive!
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gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
> 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
03/09/2015 at 22:00 |
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The harness I put together cost ~$50 (and only that much because I bought components in bulk and had far more than needed). On top of that, where the total headlight circuit on my Jeep was good for barely 120W, my harness will support 180W... per bulb. My stock lights were also noticeably brighter after doing it. The Putco harnesses aren't quite so excessive as mine is (I was allowing room for future lighting upgrades) but they run $30 or so last I looked. When it's that or your truck catching fire? Cheap insurance.