19 replies to this topic

[benmellors]

Hi

I have an Austin Mini Mayfair 1987 and when i turn my lights on only the front lights work. If i flick the switch to sidelights i get nothing. Sometime they work though. The problem is getting really frustrating as when i park up if i come back to my car i dont know if my lights will work or not.
Does anyone have any ideas of how to fix this?

Really want my sidelights to work!

Thanks

[998dave]

I think you'll find they share a fuse, do your dashboard lights work too?

Maybe get to your fuse holder, and give all of the contacts a good clean, (wirers to box, and box to fuses).

Dave

[benmellors]

I think you'll find they share a fuse, do your dashboard lights work too?

Maybe get to your fuse holder, and give all of the contacts a good clean, (wirers to box, and box to fuses).

Dave

I thought the headlights weren't fused through the fuse box?
My dash lights don't work either.
I have a new fusebox so will swap it over and see if that helps.

Thanks

[Ethel]

I think Dave means the side 'n tails share a fuse - along with the dash illum and number plate lights.

You could try removing the light switch and bridging the connections as a test: brown is live, red sides, blue heads.

[benmellors]

I think Dave means the side 'n tails share a fuse - along with the dash illum and number plate lights.

You could try removing the light switch and bridging the connections as a test: brown is live, red sides, blue heads.

Ok will try bridging the connections first to eliminate a fault with the switch then I will have a look at the fuse box.
Does anyone know which fuse the sidelights run through, will check the spade connector before I fit my new fusebox.
Thanks

[Ethel]

Same again, look for the solid red wire.

[Spud_133]

I believe the fuse for the sides, rears, dash and number plate lights is the second or third fuse as my girlfriends car had the same problem.

[benmellors]

I believe the fuse for the sides, rears, dash and number plate lights is the second or third fuse as my girlfriends car had the same problem.

How did you fix it? Was it the fuse box?

Thanks

[tommy boy]

Had this problem with my clubby. The fault on mine was at the switch. The internal conacts were covered in green corrosion. You could try operating the switch very gently, not quite reaching the "click" point and see if the sides come on. The swich itself is not too difficult to take apart and clean up. Just do it slowly and the bits won`t end up on the floor! Find the contacts and gently clean with 600 wet/dry. Regrease the rocker bit and put back together. Sounds a nightmare but do it like you were handling a lady. Slow, careful and rub the right bits. oh errr. But if you cant be arsed, just buy a new one.

[998dave]

I think you'll find they share a fuse, do your dashboard lights work too?

Maybe get to your fuse holder, and give all of the contacts a good clean, (wirers to box, and box to fuses).

Dave

I thought the headlights weren't fused through the fuse box?
My dash lights don't work either.
I have a new fusebox so will swap it over and see if that helps.

Thanks

Exactly my point, the dip beam doesn't go through the fuse box, but the rest that aren't working do, so check that )
It's a known issue with them, and it won't hurt to just take the fusebox apart and clean all the terminals anyway, just make sure you know where they all go back!
Dave

[benmellors]

Just replaced my fuse box with a new one and everything send to be working fine!
Hopefully that's fixed the problem, if not then I'll have to either clean or replace the switch.
The old fusebox was green and corroded underneath so definitely needed doing!

Cheers for the info and help guys!

Thanks

[998dave]

Glad you got it sorted and thanks for the feedback it helps build up a kind of database of fixes.

That green scum is the copper oxide, (essentially like rust but on copper).
Same as rust it doesn't conduct electricity, so your lights failed.

While you are at it, I'd recommend looking at the bullet connectors under the bonnet slam panel / behind the grille.
Take them apart and give them a quick clean with some emery cloth, keep everything in tip-top condition!

Enjoy your mini-ing!

Dave

[The.Yellow.Mini.Guy]

Hi guys!,

I know this is an old forum but my mini is suffering the same problem !

Should i just take the fusebox out and give it a good clean? I thought the tail and side lights were on one of the line fuses so surely cleaning the fusebox wouldnt help?

I'm confused help!

[Alex_B]

On mine its the 3rd fuse down from the top, its one of the connectors which is a bit rubbish and needs a wiggle occasionally, and sides, tails and dash lights are in the fusebox, so yeah take it out (take lots of pictures and or drawings on which wires connect where and fuse ratings, then use some wet and dry on the contacts, but be careful, I have snapped a couple of lugs off mine once when cleaning as they were heavily corroded,

[The.Yellow.Mini.Guy]

On mine its the 3rd fuse down from the top, its one of the connectors which is a bit rubbish and needs a wiggle occasionally, and sides, tails and dash lights are in the fusebox, so yeah take it out (take lots of pictures and or drawings on which wires connect where and fuse ratings, then use some wet and dry on the contacts, but be careful, I have snapped a couple of lugs off mine once when cleaning as they were heavily corroded,

On mine its the 3rd fuse down from the top, its one of the connectors which is a bit rubbish and needs a wiggle occasionally, and sides, tails and dash lights are in the fusebox, so yeah take it out (take lots of pictures and or drawings on which wires connect where and fuse ratings, then use some wet and dry on the contacts, but be careful, I have snapped a couple of lugs off mine once when cleaning as they were heavily corroded,

Thanks so much!, i'm wet and dry'ing them now.. so hopefully it should be fine