4 replies to this topic

[Paul542]

Hi, Total Newbie here.

My son at the age of 17 has saved up and just bought his first classic car, 1974 Mini 1000 - so pleased for him.

It's all good but one issue:

Headlights and sidelights work fine but High beams do not.

If you pull the stalk to flash, the blue light on the dash comes on but no high beam.

If you push the stalk forward to hold the high beams on - nothing, no blue light no high beam.

 

I promised I'd help him look at this over the weekend. Any suggestions on where we can start to look. I'm hoping it's just a dodgy connection but not too sure where they're located.

[nicklouse]

first things to check is to see if you are getting 12V at the bulb connection. I would say that you are not. there are a few wire splitters in the harness that may have failed. so trace the wires fro the switch to the headlights.  wiring diagrams can be found I your Haynes manual or in the post near the top of this page.

 

if you don't have a multi meter i would get one or a test lamp at least.

[Ethel]

I'll try and overcome my jealousy  to offer some help...

 

The flasher has a separate supply (purple wire), the high beam proper shares a supply (blue wire) with the dip beam. The blue telltale will split off the (blue/white) from the stalk to the headlight high beams at the connector below the column cowl.

 

As you never get high beam, and everything else on the circuit works* it suggest the fault is the headlights themselves or the (blue/white) wire from them back to the stalk connector.

 

I bet I've been beaten to suggesting you look at the bullet connectors behind the grille.

 

* save for the capricious telltale - it might sort itself out if you find the high beams were shorting If not, it could be the contacts of the stalk itself, suspect that if you get the flasher working but not the "stalk forward" high beam. 

[MikeRotherham]

Hi, Total Newbie here.

My son at the age of 17 has saved up and just bought his first classic car, 1974 Mini 1000 - so pleased for him.

It's all good but one issue:

Headlights and sidelights work fine but High beams do not.

If you pull the stalk to flash, the blue light on the dash comes on but no high beam.

If you push the stalk forward to hold the high beams on - nothing, no blue light no high beam.

 

I promised I'd help him look at this over the weekend. Any suggestions on where we can start to look. I'm hoping it's just a dodgy connection but not too sure where they're located.

What a great interest for a young man, sounds like he's got his head screwed on right.

 

If he really takes to it it'll be in his blood for life and he'll never forget his first mini.

 

With regard to the dodgy headlight, as someone else has said, start by checking the bunch of wires below the bonnet catch. The connectors always benefit from pulling apart and cleaning. If you can afford it the headlight upgrade by 'Wired by Wilson' would be a great Christmas present. This also gives you fuses and relays which improves things immensely.

[Paul542]

Thanks for all the replies.

The problem was indeed in the connectors.