6 replies to this topic

[Albertini]

Hi all, hope someone may be able to offer some assistance.

My Mini's (87 advantage) has a problem with the gauges and dash lights.

When the lights are off the gauges's sit in the correct position but when I turn the lights on they move upto the top of their range, I have no dash illuminations but the indicator (lh and rh) green lights stay illuminated. Indicators still work, lights all work, just strange things going on with the illuminations. If I turn the indicators on the dashlight goes from solid green to flashing as you'd expect, but the side thats not on stays solid green.

Any help would be greatfully received, thanks.

Chris

[Dan]

The instrument panel earth may be faulty. Do you have a meter to check the earth resistance? See if the connector is dirty or damaged or wet, or simply not pluged fully home. If this isn't the problem you may find the PCB on the back of the instrument panel is damp. When you don't need the car for a weekend, pull the insturments out and remove the PCB. Lay it on a radiator, or in a warm place for a couple of days and see if it helps.

[Albertini]

Thanks for the speedy response Dan, I'll have a little look behind there at the weekend. Its got a solid wood ( ish) full width dash on it so I guess getting behind there is going to be an adventure.

Does the PCB go to ground behind the dash or does the it earth out at a more accessable location? Wishfull thinking I know.

[Dan]

It earths through its connector and into the loom rather than being screwed to the body.

[Albertini]

OK , Thanks Dan, gonna have to get in there aren't I . Sort of wanted someone to wave a magic wand at it but its never that easy. My mini learning curve just got a bit more challenging. I'll have a look at the weekend and aquaint myself with the poor things insides. Thanks again.


Chris.

[Dan]

The dash isn't original to that car, it should just be held by three U shaped clamps that lock it into the top and bottom rails. They are usually held with wing nuts and easy to remove. Two wing nuts on each clamp, one clamp at each end and one in the middle. Unless someone's gone mad and modified the shell to take a later dash, in which case there will be screws behind both air vents (the vents are only a bayonet fit) and in the radio aperture.

[Albertini]

Excellent news, I'll let you know how I get on. You're a star.