10 replies to this topic

[purple_fly06]

I noticed it a while back, I was driving a long and the lights went off (apart from the sidelights) and after trying to avoid the hedgerows in the dark at 50mph and furiously flicking the switch and light stalk they came back on.

 

I was a tad nervous to use the mini again in the dark until it was fixed... but that was a few months ago and it never happened since. UNTIL 2 DAYS AGO   .

 

I went to drive it and realised that I had no headlights, same issue... again.

 

So every thing electrical works apart from the dipped beam. I have power at the light switch, power at the stalk, power at the fuse box and the bulbs are fine.

 

I have cleaned the bullet connections behind the grille and still no joy, and now I am struggling to think what else it could be.

 

Its a 1973 1275 GT... But the loom is out of a newer mini as it has a 4 fuse - fuse-box.

 

I don't think it has a dim dip relay but i could be wrong?

 

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated!

 

Josh

[ukcooper]

Switch - known for it.

Buy some contact cleaner or a new switch. I'd buy a new switch.

[lerry]

Ditto ukcooper, I had a similar problem, new switch sorted problem

[ac427]

Check the switch socket too. It's possible to squeeze the connectors up a bit to make a better electrical connection.

Use a needle file and some contact cleaner to clean the terminals up.

[purple_fly06]

Cheers guys, I gave ordered a new switch and will see how it goes.

I only replaced it not long ago... But now I think about it, it coincides with the lights cutting out.

And I pinched the terminals up last time I replaced it, the loom is quite 'stretched' there and the socket used to slide off occasionally.

Thanks for your help... I always overlook the easy fixes!

[KernowCooper]

I would have checked the Blue/red dipped beam wire on the bullet connectors behind the grill to confirm you have 12v there and not dirty bullet connectors. your wiring loom would not have a dim dip relay, remember the dip/main beams on the early cars the headlights do not go through the fusebox.

[purple_fly06]

I would have checked the Blue/red dipped beam wire on the bullet connectors behind the grill to confirm you have 12v there and not dirty bullet connectors. your wiring loom would not have a dim dip relay, remember the dip/main beams on the early cars the headlights do not go through the fusebox.

 

I did clean them up but i didn't check. Would there be power there though if the switch wasn't working, there isn't a constant feed is there?

[ac427]

Do you have a multimeter to check the old switch ?

Edited by ac427, 01 July 2016 - 04:27 PM.

[purple_fly06]

Do you have a multimeter to check the old switch ?

 

I do but i don't fully understand how to use it so i may have been checking incorrectly.

[KernowCooper]

How to use a multimeter in the FAQs Electrical Section if that helps

 

If you have power on the Blue/white then your issue if after the bullets if you have power out the other side, if not check the Blue/white coming out the dip switch, the circuit and colours to check is tn the above mentioned sectioned

[purple_fly06]

Finally got to the bottom of this (i have been out of the country for a while).

 

Where the red/blue wire starts (down by the foot pedals) my foot must have pulled a power feed cable out just enough for it to work intermittently.

 

Anyway fixed it and now it works perfectly!