20 replies to this topic

[Steve220]

Hi all,

 

This is driving me mad and being tired isn't helping.

 

I connected the battery this evening to test some functionality of the car and the electrics have gone mad.

 

Symptoms:

No side lights front or rear

Selecting high beams lights up side indicators

Boot light not working

Wiper motor only operates on full speed. Intermittent or slow don't work

Headlight leveling motors don't work or attempt to work

 

What i've done:

Cleaned the earth header behind the expansion tank - this didn't improve anything do made each pin a separate earth and gave them a reliable grounding. This improved some aspects, mainly headlights work, but no side lights front or rear.

 

I haven't spliced into the loom at all, only re-wrapped it as the electrical tape was falling apart.

 

Anyone had any similar experiences?

Edited by Steve220, 10 May 2018 - 09:31 PM.

[sledgehammer]

Not sure what mini it is (poss MPI) - but sounds like you have problems around the fuse box area

 

or you have disturbed some-ones bodge from the past , in the loom
 

I would split the loom down where you find any intermittentence in the loom when moved

 

also look for corrosion - esp on fuses / terminals 

 

best of luck

[Steve220]

Not sure what mini it is (poss MPI) - but sounds like you have problems around the fuse box area
 
or you have disturbed some-ones bodge from the past , in the loom
 
I would split the loom down where you find any intermittentence in the loom when moved
 
also look for corrosion - esp on fuses / terminals 
 
best of luck

The looms are utterly standard. And were checked before hand. I'm thinking it's to do with the earth header, going to experiment tomorrow

[KTS]

bizarre electrical behaviour often indicates earthing issues 

[Rorf]

What year and model is your car - there are many variations of wiring looms and fuse box types over the 41 years of production

[spraybeater]

Steve, might be worth you checking the fusible links, and the heavy Brown main power wires

this is what I found on the 1993 Rover Sprite, when checking the loom, quite obviously caused

by probing the wires in its early life.

 

 

 

It maybe that your car doesn't have these! I haven't done much with the later injection cars

[Itsaminithing]

....Cleaned the earth header behind the expansion tank....

 

Did you also clean the earthing points by the ECU?

 

In your pics i can't see an engine earth strap (the one that goes from the top engine upper steady bracket to the master cylinder mounting bracket on the MPI).

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

 

-if this was missing it would cause all the issues you listed.
 

[Marco1972]

I’d also say it’s an earthing issue
MPI’s are known for it Steve

[Cabriomin]

I had a similar REALLY annoying electrical issue on my MPI and it turned out to be the printed circuit board on the clocks had corroded causing a short. Long shot but worth a look!?

[FlyingScot]

When you moved the maxi fuse fuse box you did check those cables?
Old looms get brittle and it could be internal breaks in the wiring.

My JDM car has an earth cable from the battery all the way to the engine bay and then heavy duty wiring to major points. I’m guessing the previous owner had some earth issues...

FS

[Steve220]

....Cleaned the earth header behind the expansion tank....

 
Did you also clean the earthing points by the ECU?
 
In your pics i can't see an engine earth strap (the one that goes from the top engine upper steady bracket to the master cylinder mounting bracket on the MPI).
http://www.minispare...|Back to search
 
-if this was missing it would cause all the issues you listed.

I've got 2. One from the block to the bulkhead and one from the cylinder head to the front panel.

[Steve220]

I had a similar REALLY annoying electrical issue on my MPI and it turned out to be the printed circuit board on the clocks had corroded causing a short. Long shot but worth a look!?

Good call, checked, and all fine!

[Steve220]

When you moved the maxi fuse fuse box you did check those cables?
Old looms get brittle and it could be internal breaks in the wiring.
My JDM car has an earth cable from the battery all the way to the engine bay and then heavy duty wiring to major points. I’m guessing the previous owner had some earth issues...
FS

Fs - yes mate. The wires are in great condition. My next move is to bring the battery to the front and connect it directly to the starter motor and the engine and work that way backwards. I'm also thinking it could be the battery I'm using, it's an old small one that is connected to a charger.

[Fast Ivan]

I'd be checking all the connections/wiring in and around the indicator stalks/steering wheel console

[CityEPete]

Id also say its an earthing issue
MPIs are known for it Steve

Most MPIs don't have much metal left to use as an earth!