10 replies to this topic

[Ocado Man]

Hi,

The headlight flasher does not work when I pull the stalk towards me. I have checked the fuse (all seems fine). The headlights & sidelights work but not the flash. Could it be the salmony pink / orange relay unit that is faulty or is it something else?

I have tried it with the ignition on & the headlight switch turned on but with no joy.

Is there someway of testing the relay switch to see if that is functioning correctly?

Most importantly is this an MoT failure point??????????

Cheers

Edited by Ocado Man, 04 July 2011 - 04:53 PM.

[danrock101]

if you look at the stalk and follow it to the cowling you can see some metal contacts, give them a clean and make sure that they're actually touching when you try to 'flash'
On my 72 you had to have the lights on for it to work but on my 89 I don't think it mattered.
there's no relays for the lights (unless it's a MPI maybe?)
Another cause of headlight problems is the bullet connectors behind the slam panel
I Can't be sure if it's a MOT failure or not but it should be easy enough to fix

Edited by danrock101, 04 July 2011 - 05:06 PM.

[Ocado Man]

Thanks Dan, with regard to you saying there is no relay, I don't wish to contradict, but there is a salmon pink / orange relay that if I disconnect the plug then the lights don't work at all. I was thinking that maybe the flasher circuit went thru this relay & it had become u/s.

Mini is 1994 Rover Sprite 1275.

[spork]

Think the salmon pinky relay might be the dim/dip.

[tommy13]

Your problem most likely lies in the column switch. I can't be sure of the wiring with the later switches, but if you test each wire in turn at the multiplug for the column switch, using a test light and pulling the flash switch each time with the ignition on then you should find one wire which comes live when you operate the flash. If you do not then the column switch is certainly at fault.

What I can be sure of is it is not neccessary for the MOT for the flash to work or the main beam warning light (at present).

Edited by tommy13, 04 July 2011 - 08:00 PM.

[Ocado Man]

Hi Tommy,

Thanks for your input. I'll have a fiddle with a tester circuit at the weekend.

What I like about these forums is that people point out the bleeding obvious logical solutions. Unfortunately I am not mechanic, I am doing this because I 'enjoy' the challenge of putting a old car back on the road.

[bruders 338]

i had this problem not so long ago. like its has already been mentioned remove the cowling on the steering wheel and make sure when you pull the switch/lever you have contact.

i found that for me if you remove your grille your see a bunch of connections just where the bonnet catch goes. just make sure these connections are conneted and one has not come lose with the vibrations of driving.

hope that helps

And have you checked the bulb itself!!!

Edited by bruders 338, 05 July 2011 - 06:24 AM.

[Ocado Man]

Thanks for the idea, I'll follow the line down from stalk back to headlight & check connections. I am assuming bulb is OK as the main beam works fine. It is a sealed unit too.
Cheers

[Ocado Man]

Right, job sorted.

Took the cowling off & located the contact switch. Saw there was a purple wire on what would be the headlight side of the circuit. Took that off & touched it against the other side of the contact switch. Headlights on!!! Logic dictates that the fuses are all good, the bulbs work & the wiring is good from the switch to the headlight therefore the connections behind the slam panel must be good.

The problem therefore MUST be the contact switch itself.

Easy remedy, coarse grit glasspaper folded over inserted between the contacts, apply slight pressure to the switch & rub. CONTACT!!!!! Let there be light & jobs a good un. (And at NIL cost)

Thanks to all for your suggestions,

[reallybig]

are you positive the lights were on when you flashed?

[Ocado Man]

Absolutely!!!!!

The picture was over exposed - flash & lights - you only need one form of lighting.