19 replies to this topic

[Minigirl]

almost got mini fixed but now got a new problem

when we put the full beam lights on everything works fine - speedo, fuel guage, temp etc

when you turn the lights off it all stops - nothing works

the battery warning light stays on when the lights are off, but goes off when the lights are on

the battery seems to be charging as its making between 13.5 and 14 vaults

please someone help i need the car for tomorrow to get to work

Edited by Minigirl, 29 December 2009 - 02:50 PM.

[mini-babe]

sounds like some sort of short but in your fava lol mayb

[Tomar2]

Im no wiz kid but sounds like a short circuit somewhere. Check all the connections and wiring behind the dash and under the bonnet (especially the full beam connections) for anything unusual. Something, somewhere isn't wired properly. I'd take it to a qualified vehicle electrician. The fault doesn't sound massive at all but diagnosing where it is could take forever.

[Minigirl]

I'm getting good charge from the alternator 13-14v to the battery but the dash (2 clock) only works when I have the headlights on?

can I just ignore the warning light for the battery as Im getting a good voltage through to the battery in the boot?
if it's a bad earth that would cause the dash to fail then where is the dash (clocks) earthed to the car?

if when I turn on the full beam I guess the dials must make the curcit (and earth) somewhere (where the headlights earth on full beam)?

what I'd like to know is where and how do I test the battery warning light curcit and also the fuel and temp guage curcit.

thanks!

[Minigirl]

oh and is the main beam fuesed somewhere? if so where as I can take out all the fuses and the lights are still on!

[Ethel]

Are there 2 threads running on this?

What year's the car? Most Minis don't have any fuses on the main/full beams.

You should have several +ve supplies to the dash. The main beam earths at the front of the car but there is a feed to the blue warning light that should run to earth via the instrument panel. My guess is the high beam warning lamp is shorting on the panel and acting as an earth via the headlamps. When you put the lights on the voltage from the light circuit will be equal and stop the "leak".

[Minigirl]

Thanks Ethel,

Yes there were 2 threds running sorry!

That sounds about right that the main beam is stopping the leak!

How would I fix it? I'm not sure where the earth for the panel is? I've checked the 3rd fuse down the fusebox (wiper moter / panel) and it's fine as the wipers work?

Many thanks!

its a mini 35 carb '94

Edited by Minigirl, 29 December 2009 - 04:17 PM.

[Minigirl]

the only other point to note is that the headlight switch burned out 6 moths ago and i replaced it? dont know if thats anything relevent?

thanks

[Ethel]

The light switch is prone to failure, I suppose there could be something adrift with the headlight circuit that overloaded it but it could easily be a coincidence.

You could take the headlights out to test my theory, I'm wondering if there's a dim/dip relay (the big pink one) that we should be considering too?

[adam_93rio]

the only reason for the clocks to stop working on the full beam is the warning light, i would start simple and take the bulb out of the back of the clocks to see if the bulb is causing the problem
failing that, do you have a multimeter? switch it to resistance or diode test and check your live for the lights etc to earth. (so it beeps when theres a short)
this way you could figure out which wire is at fault then follow it untill a bit where it would be stripped

just a thought anyway, hope you get it sorted, ill have a look through the wiring diagram for you if i can find a haynes manual

[Minigirl]

The light switch is prone to failure, I suppose there could be something adrift with the headlight circuit that overloaded it but it could easily be a coincidence.

You could take the headlights out to test my theory, I'm wondering if there's a dim/dip relay (the big pink one) that we should be considering too?

the pink block which was next to the dash was making a loud buzzing sound when the lights are on sidelights and sometimes when the indicators are on. could this be related? although this doesnt happen all the time

where would i get one from if i need a new one?

[Minigirl]

the only reason for the clocks to stop working on the full beam is the warning light, i would start simple and take the bulb out of the back of the clocks to see if the bulb is causing the problem
failing that, do you have a multimeter? switch it to resistance or diode test and check your live for the lights etc to earth. (so it beeps when theres a short)
this way you could figure out which wire is at fault then follow it untill a bit where it would be stripped

just a thought anyway, hope you get it sorted, ill have a look through the wiring diagram for you if i can find a haynes manual

yes have taken the bulb out doesnt seem to be the problem

we have a multimeter but dont know what you mean when you say switch it to resistance how do you do that? i know how to read volts but thats about it i dont even know if mine will do that does it have to be a fancy one? it's never made a beeping sound before....

Edited by Minigirl, 29 December 2009 - 08:01 PM.

[adam_93rio]

the only reason for the clocks to stop working on the full beam is the warning light, i would start simple and take the bulb out of the back of the clocks to see if the bulb is causing the problem
failing that, do you have a multimeter? switch it to resistance or diode test and check your live for the lights etc to earth. (so it beeps when theres a short)
this way you could figure out which wire is at fault then follow it untill a bit where it would be stripped

just a thought anyway, hope you get it sorted, ill have a look through the wiring diagram for you if i can find a haynes manual

yes have taken the bulb out doesnt seem to be the problem

we have a multimeter but dont know what you mean when you say switch it to resistance how do you do that? i know how to read volts but thats about it i dont even know if mine will do that does it have to be a fancy one? it's never made a beeping sound before....

you should have a dial on the front of it if its one you can switch, turn it to one that has the ohms sign (omega) or a diode symbol
ill find a picture on google if your unsure, if not take a picture of it and ill let yo know

[Minigirl]

this is the one we have

what do i do with it?? i see the sign on the bottom so what do you do next please

Edited by Minigirl, 29 December 2009 - 08:26 PM.

[adam_93rio]

this is the one we have

what do i do with it??

ok the little upside down horseshoe thing is ohms, you should get a high reading if there is no short, ie reading really low if there is a short
also if you turn it to the setting further anti clockwise that looks like a little arrow, that is a diode test, if you switch it to this you might get a beep if you put the probes together, then when you touch two wires that are shorted together you will get a beep.
see, its easy peasy when youve got someone telling you