37 replies to this topic

[leepol83]

Hi chaps got the spots fitted now just need to wire them up ?
I’ve got 2x yellow and blue wires
2 x yellow and green ones plus 4 black ones which must be earths ?
Can anyone tell me which go where I’ve got 2x fogs and 2x driving lamps up front
It’s a 1998 cooper sportspack

Thanks all appreciate it as always ??

[Wiggy]

Blue/Yellow are the driving lights.

Blue/Green are the fogs.

[leepol83]

Thanks mate that’s brilliant what do I do with all the earths there’s one with each wire so 4 all togeatger

[Wiggy]

Join them together, and bolt to an existing earth point, or create a new one.

The standard installation has one pair earthed to the point left of the master cylinder, and one pair earthed to the opposite side of the engine bay.

[leepol83]

R right brilliant thanks buddy am I right in saying the other ones are earths ? Just to be sure

[matt615]

Yes any black wire is an earth.

[leepol83]

????? thank u

[leepol83]

Just a thought thevwiring is origin and I’m just connecting my new spots off the existing plugs that are there,am I right in thinking they’ll already be connected to an earth point then ? And I just need to join them st the spot lights ?

[Wiggy]

Yeah, they should already be earthed. Easily testable with a multimeter.

[leepol83]

Thanks mate I’ll check

[leepol83]

Hi chaps been down today to have a play with these spots no joy unfortunately, my problem is I’m unsure how to use the multimeter ? properly ?

All I’m trying to do is figure out which wires do which as I’ve got three lots of blue/yellows I’ve estdblished now, how do I figure out what does what assuming connect the multimeter properly? And switch the fog switch in the car to see which are fogs and the same on the driving lamps turn on the lights and see what the meter says ? Assuming the driving lamps come on with the normal lights all the time ?
And fogs just when the fog switch is pressed, sorry if I sound dumb but electrics not my strong point ? thank you

Edited by leepol83, 06 October 2018 - 01:31 PM.

[Wiggy]

It's going to very difficult to explain it all via text.

I think really, you need to grab a Haynes manual and check out the wiring diagrams in the back. They're extremely clear and easy to follow for the MPi. They even pictorially show how relays work. Trace the power with your finger from the battery, to the lights, and all should become clear.

There's 2 main ways to use your multimeter.

Voltage measurement and continuity test.

Voltage measurement is pretty self explainitory. Set the meter to VDC and the range to 20.

Place the red probe at a point where you hope to have 12V. Place the black probe on a earth (the whole engine and body is earthed). It won't work through paint/dirt/grease/rust etc.

Be aware that if both probes are connected to 12V, the meter will read 0V because there is no difference between the Voltage at both probes.

Continuity test, tests if electricity can or cannot flow between the 2 points you're measuring.

Set the meter to Ohms. It should read "1." That's infinite resistance. No electricity can flow. Now put the probes together. It should read nearly "0". Electricity can flow.

To use your earth example above > place one probe on a black wire at the spotlight end. Place the other on a known earth point. If the meter reads nearly "0", you know that black wire is connected to earth.

You can also use this technique to test for breaks in wires/circuits all over the car.

[leepol83]

Mate honestly you’re a star that’s brilliant thank you so much for taking the time to write all that, it does make sense to me now mate thank you I’ll have a play tomorrow thanks again

[RooBoonix]

A test lamp is also good for this, simply a 12v bulb with 2 crocodile clips on wires.. clip 1 to earth and then use the other clip/probe to check for 12v on a wire, instant visual check. 

[matt615]

Just to add to Wiggy’s helpful post. Most multimeters have a continuity test function. It will make a beeping noise whenever you have continuity.

Edited by matt615, 06 October 2018 - 03:56 PM.