10 replies to this topic

[kazza0320]

Okay, I have a 1987 Mini Mayfair and a few months ago when coming back from work my rear lights and dashboard lights would not turn on but my head lights would both side and full beam (i only found out the rear ones didn't after drivers flashing me) but since that night I never had an issue until this week. Again the rear lights won't come on nor will the dashboard lights but the headlights work still.

Now I had a look today and pulled the switch out of the bottom dash but that all seems fine, so I then rummaged around under the dash and found this, I don't know what it is supposed to do or whether it has any relevance to my problem.





Any help is appreciated, also yes I have checked the fuses they are also fine.

[BritishRacingGreen]

That looks like the relay that does all the lights, I had an issue with mine with various problems with the lights, turns out that relay was goosed. Replacing it fixed the problem, as they're fairly cheap it could be worth a shot.

Also worth checking is the fuses, as well as the inline ones, plus the bulbs.

The best way i find to tackle electrical gremlins is to work through methodically, so just try everything step by step really..

[Stella87]

I had that exact same problem, (also 1987 mini) and mine was solver by replacing one of the fuses in the fuse box (not an inline), I believe it was a 13 amp fuse? Not entirely sure though! :)
Hope this helps!

[AVV IT]

The tail lights and instrument panel lights are on the same fuse (usually the bottom one in the fuse box) so check the fuse and the connections there, as the fact that both the tail and instrument lights are not working points to the problem being something to do with this fuse. The headlights are not protected by this fuse, so will still work even if this fuse is blown.

The large pink relay pictured is the dim/dip headlight relay and shouldn't be connected to your problem, as the headlights are on a different circuit and the dim/dip relay is protected by a separate fuse.

Edited by AVV IT, 09 November 2012 - 05:31 PM.

[kazza0320]

Okay thanks guys I will grab some fuses tomorrow as it would appear I don't have any spares and fingers crossed it will be fixed! Thank you for the help

[tractor]

for now can you just swap a couple of fuses over? just to see if it makes a difference

Trac

edit this proberly not a good idea and you proberly run some sort of a risk some where along the line, however i would do it but in the interests of not giving bad advice just make your own decision

Edited by tractor, 09 November 2012 - 09:43 PM.

[tiger99]

Once again we have had bad electrical advice, concerning a mysterious (completely illegal) relay which controls all the lights, and correct advice which says that there is no fuse in the headlight circuit, except for the dim dip.

Your problem is probably with the fuse which has red and red/green wires attached. The red comes from the light switch, and the red/green divides several ways to go to the side and rear lights. It may be an inline fuse, or in the box, depending on model and year. I am trying to encourage people to become more familiar with the wire colours, as they are consistent on all Minis, and even if the Haynes manual does not have a diagram for your exact model, using the nearest available diagram and comparing colours will generally get you to the problem.

As for the dim dip relay, it is an abomination which is not required (the anticipated law never was introduced), and as it can cause failure of the dipped headlights (NOT any other lights!), it is best removed, and its blue/brown and blue/red wires permanengtly linked.

[Yoda]

The OP's problem is definitely most likely to be the fused circuit indicated by Tiger, and i wholeheartedly agree with taking the dim dip out of the equation as suggested. This relay makes for 90% of the lighting issues i have to deal with on Mini's. Bridging the two wires gets the problem solved in most cases, but i usually strip the loom and remove all the extra wire involved in this circuit. I know it is not necessary to do so, but it make fault finding a lot easier in the future rather than chasing wires that go nowhere!

But having said that, i am 99% sure it will be the fuse or bad connection at that point.

[Chloe530]

Hi Guys, 

 

I've found this post as I'm having the same issue, I've got a 1988 Designer,

 

Dash clock lights not working (have been intermittent for a few weeks) and found out last night that my rear lights aren't working -  checked the fuses in the engine bay, (block of 4) are there any other fuses I should check?

 

Checked all the bulbs in the rear lights all seem fine, the number plate light doesn't seem to be working, but have no idea if this is connected? wondered if it was an earth issue, I've cleaned up the earth in the boot too. 

 

Any advice would be really appreciated! 

 

Thanks

Chloe :)

[Yoda]

Look behind the air filter box in the engine bay and you will find 3 or 4 inline fuses, it is most likely to be one of these.

Edited by Yoda, 23 November 2013 - 11:29 AM.

[Chloe530]

Thanks, took the fuses out and gave it a clean, all working again!