13 replies to this topic

[Tommyboy12]

10 internets for getting the reference there....

Anyway! As winter approaches and the Mini is subjected to a more harsh environment I apparently need to give it a bit of TLC.

It was MOT'd last month and passed with relative ease but Ive now got a bit of a problem....
My headlights dont work! Its a rather odd one really. They were fine for the MOT but the indicators failed for being too slow with the lights on. I took it away and replaced the flasher and they were fine and passed.

However! I attempted to use the headlights the other day and instead of the headlights and tail lights coming on the indicators all came on solid. This happens on both side and main lights. When I flick the full beams they also bring the indicators on. If I use the hazards then the rears and sides work fine but the fronts dont and the sidelights flash instead!

The indicators alone work fine. As do the brake lights and reversing lights. The car has a removable front with a 7 pin trailer socket to remove the front lighting harness but ive never had an issue with this before.

I have no idea where to start. I try my best with electrics but I much prefer the greasy oily bits of cars. Can anyone help?

As a side note does anyone duct tape up their heater in winter to get a decent demist? Ive been contemplating it to at least try and get a clear screen...

[M J W J]

It sounds like you have a short somewhere at your connector. Check all your fuses and check the connectors to see if anything is touching that shouldn't be.

Also check that your earth is ok. I had problems with a bad earth on an escort and when I put my foot on the brake the indicators came on and stayed on at the rear.

[andrew1986mini]

the reference would be the starks of winterfells words "winter is coming"

[Ethel]

Bad earths at the front are the most likely. The headlights will be earthing via the indicators with the resistance of the extra bulbs dropping the current so it's not enough to light the headlamps.

[Jordie]

sounds like a short/earthing issue. because the indicators and headlights arent on the same connector, i would firstly look at wiring where it passes through the body under the bonnet. The wiring usually passes through a small hole either side, it could have chaffed through and cause issue.

Also the connectors under the slam panel, make sure there the grill screws havent gone through the wiring that runs behind the slam panel.

Jordie

[Tommyboy12]

Thanks for the input guys. I will check the loom for cuts and shorts but I think that inside the car the loom is in healthy enough condition. Ill check under the scuttle/bulkhead. The front half of the loom for the lights and stuff is cut from the original loom and the 7 pin sock mounted on the bulkhead so I will check the earth there and on either side of the plug too.

Could running an earth for all the front lights through the 7 pin plug be a problem?

[Ethel]

It shouldn't be, it does give you an obvious point of weakness to investigate though.

[Mini Mad Drakeley]

i cant help with electrics cus im hopeless with them but gotta love game of thrones i had the same idea about using duct tape but i havent tried it yet but ive got duct tape in the garage so il be trying that later

[Tommyboy12]

Game of Thrones is awesome yeah!

On the subject of the heater... The direction vane inside my heater has lost its foam edge so air just escapes through the 'car' vents. Im thinking duct tape them over to at least attempt to direct flow to the windscreen.

[tiger99]

Your front earths are doing their usual dirty tricks! See this thread, and follow my recommendations.

http://www.theminifo...let-connectors/

In your case the headlight current seems to be returning to earth via the front indicators and sidelights, then the rear indicators and tail lights, so at least the rear earth is intact.

Oh, and you may find some suitable self-adhesive foam strip for your heater in somehere like B&Q.

Edited by tiger99, 10 October 2012 - 03:29 PM.

[tiger99]

Actually, thinking more clearly, what I said is correct, but to fix it you may need another pin on your connector, depending on what you have up front. The pins would be needed as follows:

Main beams
Dip beams
sidelights
left indicator
right indicator
left earth
right earth

so if you have spotlights you would be a pin short.

[Tommyboy12]

No spots for me. I need to double check the colours and earths for the plug. Ive never touched it really.

[Mini Mad Drakeley]

on the point with the heater, duct tape works very well indeed, tried it this morning and i could see the whole way going to tech, as long as its the main 2 holes at the bottom and the switch is on screen then you also get a nice amount of warm air coming out the sides

[Tommyboy12]

Thought I would just update this with the outcome.

Turns out it was the earth. All the front lamps were wired through a single chunky earth lead for the trailer plug. The join for all these lamps was rotten and fraid. Replaced wires. Re-soldered. Electrical tape to offer some protection. Jobs a good'un!