6 replies to this topic

[Mini Waco]

After fixing a few things, I did not realize the Mini had a number plate light (new to Mini as it just arrived from the UK).  Took the Mini in for our Texas inspection and it failed for lack of number place light.  Brought it home, took off then entire lamp housing and found one bulb bracket missing with loose wires and the other not working.  I put a voltmeter on the red and black wires with no reading.  First question, do both bulb wires have to hooked up in order to close the circuit and work or should one bulb bracket work without the other?  I see the wire run on the inside of the boot lid, but I don't know where it goes or comes out on the body.  Is there a relay or fuse I can check somewhere? for this circuit?  Then too, in order for the number plate lamps to work, does the ignition key have to be turn on or should they work with all other lights w/o key?  FYI.. all other lights work just fine although there are a few stray wires in the wiring harness that runs to the rear stop lights.  Thanks for your help!

Attached Files

•  Number Plate Wiring.jpg   72.84K   27 downloads

Edited by Mini Waco, 15 August 2015 - 01:27 AM.

[blackbelt1990]

I'm not sure how old your mini is and my wiring knowledge is mainly 1980s onwards, but here goes.

The wires should plug into the loom by the petrol tank, they may be black bullet connectors.
The number plate lamp is powered on the same circuit as the side lights, it shares the same fuse.

That's all I can really help with I'm afraid, I'd guess that both wires need to be connected yes, what are their colours?

[Mini Waco]

Thanks ever so much for a quick response.  The Mini is a 1982 and the wires are red and black although the red wire appears to have blue paint over spray causing me to think it was a dual color wire.  Wow. the wires must come out of the boot lid well hidden because I'm thinking they go through the boot hinge somehow as I simply do not see any wires.  Will this connector by the petrol tank be behind the petrol tank cover?  I will see if the side lights are working then...   I go do that now

 

Edit.. Ok. I don't have any side lights ?? or possibly this is a definition that I'm misinterpreting..

 

I found the wiring diagram in the Haynes manual and I'm taking a guess here.  It appears that the number plate wiring is in series with the bottom lights of the stop light assembly.  I assume the bottom light is the reverse light.  Whether or not this is true, the reverse lights do not work either.  Could this be a culprit in that if I get power to the reverse lights, the number plate light should work too?

Edited by Mini Waco, 15 August 2015 - 01:01 AM.

[Mini Waco]

Any tips on how to test the wire circuit for the reverse lights?  Attached a picture showing the wire arrangement..   My number plate wires were not even connected and tucked away.  Then the wires do not seem long enough as I am only barely able to connect wires by having the boot lid nearly closed.  When connected, still no power to either number plate lights or reverse lights.  Any ideas how to test?  My next task will be to remove the rear stop lights to see how they are wired.  Added picture to original post showing wire arrangement.  Unable to add pictures unless it's on the very first post..  (?).

Edited by Mini Waco, 15 August 2015 - 01:30 AM.

[62S]

The wires for the number plate light should exit out of the boot lid by the left hand hinge and, as mentioned above, connect to the main rear loom by the petrol tank. The wires you are try to connect to are on the wrong side and may be for the rear fog light.

[blackbelt1990]

Ok,

The wires don't go through the boot hinges, they just come out of the boot lid and plug into the loom by the tank. The wires will definitely be one red and one black.

By "side lights" I mean the lights which come on with the headlight switch in the first "click" or first position. Do they work?

edit: I've just seen your picture, you're trying the connect them on the wrong side, check the left hand side of the boot, where the fuel tank is.

Edited by blackbelt1990, 15 August 2015 - 07:28 AM.

[blackbelt1990]

I'm also pretty sure that that misc black wire in your photo is an earth wire and should be connected to the body. Otherwise you will have more problems with your lights in the future!