7 replies to this topic

[mohammed]

Hi all

I have few stupid questions about the interior swiches, i know what they are

Here is a pic

 2011-07-11at1919131.jpg   69.49K   3 downloads

ok question time..

1) the Brake switch lights up when i press it what does that mean and what needs doing..
2) The lights switch are on a three stage switch - the middle stage doesn't seem to do anything - should it? how can i go around fixing it.. Third stage puts all lights on as expected
3) also when i start the engine and put the choke out.. how long should i leave it out, also if i lock it.. does it pop back in by it self or do i need to unlock it and push it in..

sorry for the stupid question .. but im on a learning process..

thanks for ur help in advance

mohammed

Edited by mohammed, 25 August 2011 - 11:22 AM.

[ChrisG10]

I havent really looked at my brake light switch. So cant answer that.
but the second stage on the light should turn on the lights behind clocks and the front lights. I cant remember if its the third stage or second but if you have rear fogs they come on at one of the two stages.
The choke needs to be out for a few minutes really. If you want it to run smoothly get a clothes peg and then unlock it and let it sit at that distance. My one certainly doesn't unlock itself. You have to push it in!
Sorry i cant be much more helpful.

[hector193]

Like yourself on the learning curve but so far from what I can gather and have done...

Brake light test switch, mine lights up and goes off when you let go (this seems to be normal) so it sounds fine,

Your 3 way rocker switch 1. lights off 2. side lights and dash 3. dipped beam + side lights.

Im from a bike background so relating the two usually about 1-2 miles its fine to push choke back in, in the mini currently shes not needing choke to start a few blips of throttle and idles away would say to keep choke on to start with till u can hear shes not struggling/knocking. Its all in the ears...

[miniyellowmini]

If the brake light lights up when you press it it's fine, no need to do anything (it's just a test) it's when it lights up on it's own there is a problem.

The middle stage of the lights should switch on the side lights and instrument lights.
Choke should be left out couple of mins max this time of year, more in the cold weather. basically leave it out till the engine warms up and can idle when it's fully in.

[Dan]

I can let you off the brake test switch and the choke because they are both old fashioned but the light switch? Come on, who is teaching people to drive these days? I know this makes me sound really old but recently there have been tons of questions that everyone with a driving licence should know the answer to. You are supposed to know that your car has sidelights (sometimes called parking lights), that come on at the first position of the light switch. You are to use them when your car is parked somewhere dangerous at night, or parked anywhere in fog, or parked anywhere outside a 30mph speed limit. Or if its not dark enough to use your headlamps without dazzling people but dingy enough that people might not see you like in heavy rain. Or myriad other things you have to use them for. Pretty much every car you might ever have found has them switched in the same way.

Brake test switch - as above if it comes on by itself it means the brake fluid is low (or one side of the circuit has failed, depending on the age of your Mini), this is likely to happen as you brake or with 'spirited driving' as the fluid slops around. It's a warning lamp really and all cars have them. The switch is only to test the bulb, a function most cars now provide by linking the handbrake warning to the same lamp. As before you are supposed to know what the basic warning lamps in your car do before you can pass a driving test, all cars have the same basic lamps. In this case though it is an unusual installation.

Choke - the choke function on the SU is two stage, operated by one pull cable. The first 1/4" or so of travel does nothing more than lift the idle speed. This can be used all the time in winter if needed, or if you are driving at altitude or if the car is just generally struggling to tick over. If you have to use it a lot the car needs attention. After this, when you start to feel more resistance in the cable, it's enriching the mixture. This setting is used for cold starting, the more you pull the richer it ges. It should only need to be used for about 3 minutes. Using it a lot when its not needed can damage the engine and will cost you more in fuel. You will have to close the choke manually. If the car can't start without choke, pull it right out and start up, then a few minutes later start reducing it slowly until its right off. If the car struggles to idle, pull it back out just enough to rasie the idle speed. So it's not much like a bike choke really.

[midridge2]

Come on, who is teaching people to drive these days? I know this makes me sound really old but recently there have been tons of questions that everyone with a driving licence should know the answer to.

of cause that is assuming that they all are old enough to drive and are taking lessons or have pased there test. never assume.

[mohammed]

I did say sorry for the stupid question.. N I dud say I know what the switches are.. With the light switch the second stage doesn't do anything so I throught someone can tell me what to do or how to fix it..

Thank you all..

Mohammed

[Dan]

There are no stupid questions, I wasn't irritated that you asked. Just shocked that people don't know the basics about their car. The introduction of the theory test was supposed to take care if things like this.

It should switch on the sidelights, tail lights and panel lights. If they don't come on the fuse may have failed.

And you are quite right Midridge, one should neve assume. Although when someone asked a similar question about his fog lamp a week or so ago I got burned for daring to check if he was old enough or had taken his test. Kids don't like it when you ask if they are old enough.