High beam indicator intermittent

Post by **ljsommar1** » 11 Dec 2020, 13:23

2002 v70 with 230K miles
The high beam indicator works randomly. Removed DIM, cleaned contact surface - no go, exchanged sockets with another working socket(2 different working sockets actually), problem stays with high beam spot, other locations continued to work. Sprayed de-oxer on both sides of DIM connector - no go.

This DIM has been professionally repaired about 5 years ago for the usual DIM problems, has been good since then. Does this seem like a DIM failure?

Post by **oragex** » 11 Dec 2020, 15:27

I'm not sure if the light switch could do this (the part with the headlights knob), but otherwise yes, I think it's again the DIM. Near the high beam bulb there's two tiny resistors that may go bad intermittently. My 2003 did so and on top of it one day it also threw an SRS message saying it can't activate the warning indicator (the yellow/red triangle light) which is right by the high beam bulb on the electronic board. Funnily enough the warning indicator works fine, but perhaps it has a resistor common with the high beam bulb so the computer thinks it cannot warn you if the light doesn't work, so it triggers the SRS message automatically. My DIM was also repaired a few years ago.

Post by **ljsommar1** » 15 Dec 2020, 11:15

Thanks for the reply. I also was wondering about the stalk switch and the CEM, but the high beams do work normally, only the indicator is intermittent. I removed the CEM and switched the high and low beam relays with other relays on the board (I don't have a spare relay). It made no difference.
I have been trying to contact BBA remanufacturing who originally repaired the DIM but they don't answer their phone and have not responded to my email. I don't want to break the seal on the DIM, which they say voids the lifetime warranty, but I may have no choice.

Post by **ljsommar1** » 20 Dec 2020, 18:32

Well, after not hearing back from BBA. I decided to break the seal on the DIM and attempt to repair it myself. A lifetime warranty is not much good if the company goes kaput. Does anyone know what happened to BBA?
I attempted to reflow the solder on the chips with my solder station. Set the air to 430C, reflowed the chips, touched up a few other solder joints and it appears to have worked but not sure, since the fault is intermittent. Time will tell.

Post by **ljsommar1** » 22 Dec 2020, 12:43

In the interest of closing out topics, it does appear this problem is resolved. Car has been driven several times without problem reoccurring.
Now to fix that auto dimming mirror.