Dim dip
Hi NeX,
I just checked my car and you are right, the dim dip unit is not where I said it was, it is just to the left of the fuse panel behind the lower dash (I got it mixed up with the wiper delay box).
There is a way to remove the dim dip unit completely, however the wiring required to replace it is not straight forward and is not secure (nowhere to locate the connectors as the unit is now gone).
If you want to remove the unit, then you can do the following :
Link the Purple wire (7) to the Red wire with yellow tracer (2)
AND
Link the Black wire (10) to the Yellow wire with the Black tracer (8)
ONLY do this AFTER the Dim Dip unit has been removed (you can use 1/4" male spade connectors to do this).
N.B. The 10 way connector is in 2 parts (a 4 way and a 6 way). Also the pin numbers are NOT intuitive !
I agree with NeX that it would be a particularly beligerant MOT tester that would fail a car for incorrect operation of the dim dip facility, however, I'm sure there are some out there that would and it's best not to give them an opportunity to fail your car.
In light of tha above, I would recommend the way I initially wrote about - that is leaving the dim dip unit in place and cutting the yellow wire (5) - you could make it easier to operate the dim dip unit at MOT time by placing a simple single pole switch in the break in the yellow wire.
FYI - the dim dip facility was fitted to all UK spec cars from 1987 to late 1990s even though was deemed 'illegal' by the European Commission in 1988 !
Hope this helps
Cheers
Graeme