low beam check relay

[failedattempt]

I realize this is a long shot but here it goes. I have no low beams. I have checked all relays fuses and switches associated with the lighting system. I have no power at either low beam fuse. I have jumped a fused jumper from pin 30 of the low beam relay to each low beam fuse and my low beams work. I have diagnosed the issue as a low beam check relay. My question is, has anyone else run into this problem? I really don't wanna replace my fuse panel. Has anyone ever bypassed this correctly without wires running all over the top of the fuse panel?

[Mo Brighta]

no power to lows

Based on what you did to get them lighting - jumping power to the fuses - it seems like you issue is the low beam relays, or somewhere in the circuit between the headlight switch and the low beam relays.

First test, turn on the lights, have someone switch high to low and back, and listen carefully at the fuse panel for clicking in the relays. Remove the high beam relay to eliminate that source of noise, and if the relays click but no lights, then the relays are bad. Odd that both would be bad.

If you don't hear clicking but the relays are good when tested outside the car, then the issue is deeper, you'll need to look into the ETM (wiring diagrams in the Electical Troubleshooting Manual) to see where the relay wiring goes, in my car (86 535i) high beams need to be good or the lows will not work.

Good idea- start at the headlight switch, test for voltage at each point in the circuit, including the stalk switch. Follow the volts to see where the defect is, I believe that's the only way to track it down if it's not a bad relay or relay ground.

Good luck!

PS - Since it's been a while since you posted this, if you found and resolved the problem, what was it?

[Mo Brighta]

no power to lows

Based on what you did to get them lighting - jumping power to the fuses - it seems like you issue is the low beam relays, or somewhere in the circuit between the headlight switch and the low beam relays.

First test, turn on the lights, have someone switch high to low and back, and listen carefully at the fuse panel for clicking in the relays. Remove the high beam relay to eliminate that source of noise, and if the relays click but no lights, then the relays are bad. Odd that both would be bad.

If you don't hear clicking but the relays are good when tested outside the car, then the issue is deeper, you'll need to look into the ETM (wiring diagrams in the Electical Troubleshooting Manual) to see where the relay wiring goes, in my car (86 535i) high beams need to be good or the lows will not work.

Good idea- start at the headlight switch, test for voltage at each point in the circuit, including the stalk switch. Follow the volts to see where the defect is, I believe that's the only way to track it down if it's not a bad relay or relay ground.

Good luck!

PS - Since it's been a while since you posted this, if you found and resolved the problem, what was it?

[failedattempt]

i have done all the above. the fuses for the low beams have no power period. the power runs from i belive pin 30 of the low beam relay through the lowbeam check relay to the fuses. i belive its a bad check relay. just trying to find out if there is an easy way to bypass it or if i have to change out the fuse panel.