Anyone have their headlight check relay go bad?

[Van Westervelt]

Bought a car, fixed a lot of little things on it, but now I'm at a stop.

Headlights do not work, switch is good, relays are good and getting constant 12v but not switched to activate the lights. Flash the highs on the stalk and no high beam indicator.

Has anyone had their check relay circuit go bad? What are the symptoms if so? I can't think of anything else that would cause this, as the switch works and all other lights on the car work. However, the check panel does not indicate faulty front beams.

I'm hoping I'm just rusty as its been 4 years since I've really dug into an e30 and not really wanting to replace a fuse panel as that is where the integrated check system for the headlights is at. :/

[Van Westervelt]

Checking once?

[spdracrm3]

download your appropriate ETM here http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm

and find the headlight relays and jumper them also check power at fuses to narrow down problem area (never heard of a check relay failing to allow lights to work ,just not turn off the check lamp warning circuit due to bad solder joint on reed switches)

[StereoInstaller1]

Any progress on the issue?

Angus, Curt knows his way around an ETM, this is a weird one. All the fuses have power, the relays aren't switching though. Pin 30 is live on both, but neither are getting the signal to close. I am likely gonna head down and kick its butt if he can't.

Luke

[Van Westervelt]

All those have been checked out, thanks.

Im going to tear into this thing again tomorrow, if I dont track down this little nuance, I am going to be annoyed.

[spdracrm3]

year make model? and ill look at ETm

[Van Westervelt]

05/1986 325e. I'm tearing into it again tomorrow.

[spdracrm3]

so looking at page 106 show the K4 (low) K3( high) relays ,and its similar to later 325i . have you tested the control side voltage on pins 86 (you say "are good and getting constant 12v" at what pins ? should have constant 12v at pin 30 coincidentally from the 30 circuit which goes all they way back to battery ,then should have switched 12v key on, on both relay control side pins 86 (switched power from Ignition switch circuit 15) . then the light switch controls ground to both relays (pins 85) so you can ohm test that circuit to ground with light switch and dip switch on/off for highbeam .

do the lights work of you jumper the 30 to 87 pins of each relay?

[Van Westervelt]

This was the issue I was having, I traced each one and had constant and switched at the appropriate pins per the ETM. I could jump the circuits and ignite the lights as well. I also tested the headlight switch in the process.

There was a break between the switch and the panel from a vampire clip on what I presume was an old alarm. Removed broken section of wire and replaced it.

Headlights function. I just needed a break from it. Now, to tackle the rest of the cars issues...