5 replies to this topic

[4thgear]

Hi All,

 

I am having an issue with my front and rear fog lights on my 1996 SPI.

 

Just to be clear I have one rear and two front fog lights. All of the lights are standard.

 

All other lights are working and the car is running fine. When I switch on the main beams and then try to switch on the fog lights nothing happens. The fog light switch illuminates orange but no lights on the front or rear.

 

I have checked the wiring (where I can easily) and all seesm fine. No split wires.

 

I have been reading about the relays and can't seem to work out which yellow relay is for the fog lights. Is it one of the three on the right hand side of the car engine bay when looking at the car? If so which one?

 

Any advice welcome!

 

Many thanks

 

4thgear

[Phil-R]

Hello,

 

When was the last time you saw them work? Has it been like that since you owned the car? How long ago was the last MOT as the rear one would have needed to be working for that.

 

First, check all the fuses in the fuse box (under the bonnet, drivers side, at the back). Some fuses affect multiple circuits.

 

Rear fog: Unscrew the cover and check the bulb, and the contacts in the light unit. Follow the wires back to where they connect onto the main loom. Hopefully they're tucked away in the boot, but may be under the bumper and exposed to the elements - check their condition. 

 

Front fog lights: If these are OEM lights and there are only 2 of them, they're not fog lights, they're spot lights! In other words, they shouldn't come on with the fog light switch, they should come on with your high beams.

Edited by chrome, 12 October 2014 - 10:14 PM.

[4thgear]

Thanks for the advice Chrome.

 

I have just go into the mini world (bought the car this August!) so all very new to me. I can't actally rememeber if I have ever seen the front two drivers lights (on the grill) working.

 

Reagrding the rear fog light I removed the cover and discovered the buld holder positive was not touching the back of the lamp. A quick bend of the copper plate sorted that and the light now works when I switch on the fog light. Thanks for that!

 

Regarding the front driving lights I still am a bit stumped! I removed the grill and disconnected both lights, hooked the up to a spare 12v battery and both light up fine. This now rules out the lights themselves and indicates there is a problem further into the car. I can follow the wiring up the drivers wing and under the 3 yellow relays in the back corner. Here, I am not sure where they go..... do you know if there are any other fuses or relays further into the car? The wiring looks fine up to here (well it is wrappped up in tape but not damaged) I inspected all three relays and they appear to be fine. Am I right in thinking the middle of the three yellow relays is involed in the driving lights?

 

Any other ideas?

 

Thanks

 

4thgear

[Phil-R]

Right then, I think you're looking in the right area.

 

On my SPI, I can see the plugs behind the grille each have a blue/yellow wire. If I track the cables back, that colour wire goes into the front relay (not the middle). This relay also has a black in-line fuse holder sitting next to it that's connected via a purple wire

 

1) Check the in-line fuse (should be 15amp)

2) Get someone to turn the high beams on and off while put your head under the bonnet and listen out for the relay click 

3) Pull all 3 relays, inspect the connectors and put each one back into a different socket

4) Cross fingers

[minisilverbullet]

Are younsure thevfront spots/fogs/driving lamps dont come on, with full beam?

[4thgear]

Hi Chrome,

 

Thanks for your help - I have fixed the issue and the lights are now all working on full beam.

 

I tried what you suggested with listening to the relay (before and after swapping) and it was clicking on fine when I put my ear to them. I found it easier to place a long screwdriver on to the the relay and then place my ear on the end of the screwdriver.

 

On further inspection, I found a small crack in the driving light wiring just before they split to join to both lights....wiggling this made the lights work.

 

Quick repair and all now fine!

 

Thanks for spending the time to help! Much appreciated!

 

4thgear