8 replies to this topic

[cooperdan]

Hi guys

under the dash there is a round silver 12v 2 spade.....something....

1 wire solid dark green

2ns wire light green with red pin stripe..

I took it off and shook it, and there is a rattle similar to a dud bulb

so just wonderd if this is what i think it is?

Dan

[cooperdan]

Forget it lol...

its indicator unit

[tiger99]

Just to perhaps help in future, if the need arises, your dim-dip resistor is a gold coloured (well, once upon a time...) anodised ali extrusion with fins, and a wire on each end, mounted on a sheet metal bracket.

 

The best thing to do with that, because the dim-dip system can cause failure of the dipped headlights, is to remove the system, and to do that you need to find the relay, usually pink, remove it and join the blue/red and blue/brown wires securely, and insulate or remove all the others, then insulate its wires and throw the resistor away too.

[Ethel]

I've never had any problems with dim-dip, if you do it's usually with the resister, that's more exposed being under the bonnet. For all it adds complexity it also reduces the load on the light switch & stalk, probably more common causes of failures.

[tiger99]

Well, there have been umpteen cases on the forum where the relay was at fault. The failure rate of a resistor, not overloaded, is about 1 in 10 million to 100 million hours. Say 300 million to 3 billion miles of driving. It should be rarely seen.

[Ethel]

It's not so much the resister as the environment for the terminals & wiring. Also, I suppose if the stalk fails it most likely to do so when it's being operated, the dim/dip makes a better backup than the sidelights alone.

[tiger99]

Not if it makes the dipped headlights go out when you really need them. The DDU as designed would probably not pass type approval now, because it introduced a single point failure involving electronic components (it is not just a relay) in the headlight circuit. I will never drive a Mini with one fitted.

 

I have never heard of a stalk failure, except on the Triumph Herald, where it was common until a design change was made, causing the headlights to fail, but it would indeed most likely happen when you were moving it. What would you do if it all fell apart? That is why I never encourage anyone to have a go at repairing a stalk, the risk is not worth it.

[cooperdan]

So basically, if it were you tiger99

you would take the (pink relay) away and join wiring?

[tiger99]

Yes.