2 replies to this topic

[Avis87]

Hello chaps,

I am stuck and couldn't find posts with similar issues so here goes...

Mini Mayfair 1989 with 1275 metro engine.

When I put my hazards on, the back indicators flash, but the front don't... Instead the headlights flash!

When I turn on sidelights, I get no sidelights just indicators stuck on. I flick the switch to main beam and same issue. When I flick the switch back down to sidelights I get lights for a second before the dim dip relay clicks and indicators come back on and the sidelights die.

This fault was previously very much less apparent. It began intermittently around 30 miles after a head gasket change. Just as I was approaching my destination both indicators(solid, not flashing) came on my dash and headlights died. Then split second later lights back on,indicators off. Going over bumps etc could trigger this issue on or off. Sometimes I could drive 20 miles without issue and the next time I get in it the fault would be immediately evident.

I have since replaced my hazard switch (which previously only flashed one side ) and dim dip relay. Have gone through electrics and taped up loose ends, exposed contacts etc and got rid of any stuff that isn't needed anymore. Cleaned up and moved engine earth, checked fuses and connections etc

This is really doing my head in. I just want to drive my car again after new head gasket, new air Filter, oil etc. But its winter and its dark and I need lights!! Been off the road for few weeks now and NEED it back!!

So, any ideas?

Many thanks!

[Avis87]

Just to add, if I pull on the flasher I can get full beam accompanied by both indicators lol.

[tiger99]

Someone will be along to say that it is an earth fault (there always is, and they are often wrong), however these symptoms can not be explained by just one single fault. However, most or all of the problems are very likely to involve the bunch of bullet connectors just behind the grille, near the bonnet locking mechanism. It appears that some of them are connected wrongly, or the same bunch of wires has chafed somewhere and partly shorted together. There would also seem to be an earth adrift, which is the black wires.

The earthing arrangement, where all the front lights run through one single piece of wire back to the bulkhead is very bad at the best of times, and causes a serious risk of losing all headlights suddenly, so my preference is always to wire each light cluster, i.e. left or right, to its own earth bolt, typically in the inner wing. Doing that prevents many of the weird symptoms that happen if the earths become defective.

You may also have a failing earth at the rear, and the same thing applies, seperate them.

Also the bullets need to be cleaned (they always do, because of where they are), and you should check that the wires are connected correctly. Green-red to left indicator, green-white to right, blue-white to both headlight main beams, blue-red to both headlight dip beams, and green-red to both sidelights. The actual wires from the light units may not match these colours, depending on who made the lights, for example the sidelights are often red, but that is easy to check at the bulb connectors.

If there is nothing at all amiss there, the next likely place to find problems is at the steering column, and indicator/dip switch area. Check for chafed wires.