9 replies to this topic

[mike.]

Just a quick one really, nothing major.

I'm fitting some smaller mk2 rear lights to my 1986 mini and am just sorting the wiring out at the moment. All the wiring is the same really, its just a case of connecting the mk2 wiring into the appropriate wiring on my loom which is fine because its all the same colour code.

The only thing is the mk3> lights have an earth tab which all the bulbs are connected to, which a black earth wire with a spade connector plugs into to earth the lights.

The mk2 rear lights don't have this earth tab - So what do I need to do?

Is the earth now not needed or do I just earth the wire in the boot somewhere?

Thanks

[mike.]

Just took one of my mk3> lights out and realised they're plastic.

Am I right in thinking the newer light need the earth tab because the bulbs can't earth through the lamp body?

In which case because the earlier mk2 lights are all metal the bulbs can earth through the lamp body and to the car where they bolt in and so the black earth wire is no longer needed?

Or I could just put a ring terminal on the end of the earth wire and put the earth cable on anyway over one of the mounting bolts right?

[Udo]

Or I could just put a ring terminal on the end of the earth wire and put the earth cable on anyway over one of the mounting bolts right?

This is what I did, works fine

[L400RAS]

Or I could just put a ring terminal on the end of the earth wire and put the earth cable on anyway over one of the mounting bolts right?

This is what I did, works fine

Me too.

[mike.]

Cool thats what i'll be doing then! Just got to find the right screws to hold the lens to the lamp body now!

Cheers

[GTIAlex06]

Soo all you got to do it like pull the connecters out, and pop the mk lights in?

[mike.]

Well the mk2 lights are just connected with bullet connectors whereas the later lights have a proper 4 pin plug for them. So i've cut the plug off my bigger mk3 onwards lights and soldered it into the wiring coming off the mk2 lights so they just plug into the loom like my original lights did.

Then you've got the reverse light wiring spare to either insulate and not use or wire into another reverse lamp if your fitting one.

The mk2 lights are quite a bit smaller so if you've got the later lights fitted now, its worth taking them off and checking the paint underneath them because if its damaged or whatever, chances are you'll see it once you fit the smaller lights.

[conlad]

Bit of a thread revival here ;)

But, mike - my mk2 lights do not have the same colour codes as my loom? :S any ideas?

On the loom I have - green/brown, red/green, purple/green and then white/green.

On the lights I have - green, red and then green/white

Cheers!

Edited by conlad, 20 May 2012 - 02:54 PM.

[L400RAS]

But, mike - my mk2 lights do not have the same colour codes as my loom? :S any ideas?
On the loom I have - green/brown, red/green, purple/green and then white/green.
On the lights I have - green, red and then green/white

On the loom:
Stop lights (brake lights) = green with purple tracer
rear tail lights = red with green tracer
Right indicator = green with white tracer
left indicator = Green with red tracer

On the lights:
Green = Indicators
The others i do not know, but just connect them up and if they are wrong then swap them.

HTH
Ryan

[conlad]

Cheers for the quick reply mate

Sounds good, looks like I can just connect the green and the others will be the brake lights and tail (normal) lights if thats correct?

Cheers