Jump to content


Photo
- - - - -

Cooper Front 4 Spotlights Wiring


  • Please log in to reply
9 replies to this topic

#1 alliepereira

alliepereira

    Just On Tickover

  • Noobies
  • Pip
  • 7 posts
  • Location: Hove

Posted 27 November 2020 - 05:06 PM

Hello all.

I have a cooper 1.3i which has 4 spotlights on the front grill. The outer two spotlights are fog lamps (and these have their own rocker switch to control them near the driving wheel) and the inner two spotlights are driving lamps and they are connected to my full beams circuit. I have just had the main wiring loom worked on and it has been wired up differently to what I had before and I'd just like to check which is the correct way to have it as I keep getting told different things. Here are the details (I hope it makes sense). Please can anyone with 4 spotlights let me know how they have theirs set up or how they should be. Many thanks all!

 

Previously: When the headlights were on I could also turn on the fog lamps, but when I used my full beams the fogs would turn off. So at no point could all four spotlights be on at the same time.

Now: When the headlights are on I can turn on my full beams, and only then can I turn on/off my fog lamps also - at the same time - so all four spotlights can be on at the same time. But I can only use my front fogs when the full beams are on.

 

Feedback much appreciated!! <3

 



#2 sonscar

sonscar

    Up Into Fourth

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,709 posts
  • Location: crowle
  • Local Club: none

Posted 27 November 2020 - 05:10 PM

I suspect that the previous way was correct,Fogs are supposed to give a low flat beam.High beam will just reflect back in the fog.Some think not of function just impressiveness so up to you.Steve..



#3 Cooperman

Cooperman

    Uncle Cooperman, Voted Mr TMF 2011

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 23,014 posts
  • Location: Cambs.
  • Local Club: MCR, HAMOC, Chelmsford M.C.

Posted 27 November 2020 - 05:34 PM

The foglights should be ignition powered, via a switch and a relay.

Spotlights/driving lights should be main-beam powered via a further switch and a relay.

If you have any further problem, send me your personal email and I'll draw a simple circuit diagram drawing for you.

The basic original wiring is not particularly good and a re-wire can be more reliable.



#4 weef

weef

    Speeding Along Now

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 412 posts
  • Location: D@G

Posted 27 November 2020 - 07:26 PM

It is always good to have control over the extra lights. The ability to turn them on and off as conditions dictate is a must either by the dip/high beam switch or a dedicated dash mounted switch.

By using an  ON-OFF-ON  switch driving a relay gives the option of always OFF,  ON/OFF controlled by the driver or ON/OFF controlled by the dip/high beam switch. This will require modifications to the vehicle wiring loom but it is not too complicated. If you are not confident with modifying to wiring consult consult an auto electrician.



#5 gazza82

gazza82

    Up Into Fourth

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,902 posts
  • Location: Bucks
  • Local Club: TMF+

Posted 27 November 2020 - 07:51 PM

Problem seems to be whoever did the recent wiring hasn't put it back the same way ... so I'd talk to them first ...

It was right before ...

#6 alliepereira

alliepereira

    Just On Tickover

  • Noobies
  • Pip
  • 7 posts
  • Location: Hove

Posted 30 November 2020 - 02:22 PM

Thanks for the advice all. Uncle Cooperman, I will send you my email as a diagram would be great. I spoke to the garage who did it (they are also a mini and vintage garage and were recommended to me on here many years ago) and they are saying the way they have done it correct and the previous way was wrong. But I'm unsure as that means I can only use my front fogs when the driving lights are on and they are hooked up to my full-beam lights..... so thats a lot of lights on that I dont think are legal to keep on and drive as they are too dazzling for other drivers! 

Think I might ask them to have the front fogs independent to the full beams (as they have their own rocker switch anyway) and so they can be used when the main headlights are on.

 

Thanks again for clearing that up!



#7 GraemeC

GraemeC

    Crazy About Mini's

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,302 posts
  • Location: Carnforth

Posted 30 November 2020 - 03:10 PM

The garage is wrong, the previous way of wiring them was correct (even though not executed well)

Ask the garage what they think the point of having fog lights on with main beam is?  The whole point of fog lamps is to provide better illumination in conditions when main beam would be ineffective due to fog.

 

Spot lights should only be on with main beam, and having them on at any other time is illegal.



#8 Blake71

Blake71

    Stage One Kit Fitted

  • Just Joined
  • PipPipPip
  • 82 posts
  • Location: Barnard castle

Posted 30 November 2020 - 04:09 PM

Apologies for jumping in, I've recently acquired a 2000 MPI Cooper and I just started work on it at the weekend (with very limited knowledge). I have a fog light switch on the main switch panel below the centre of the dash which operates the rear fog lamp. I've noticed that there are two factory looking plugs spurred off the loom tucked behind the grill (actually one is hanging tyre side off the near side inner wing), I think the cables are black (assuming earth) and blue with a white stripe. Are these for driving lamps, fogs or something else completely?

I don't seem to have a separate switch for any front fog lamps.

 

Thanks in advance, Steve



#9 GraemeC

GraemeC

    Crazy About Mini's

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,302 posts
  • Location: Carnforth

Posted 30 November 2020 - 04:45 PM

The wiring is probably included in the loom, but the switch won't be there if fogs weren't fitted (may also be some missing fuses and relays). 

The front fog light switch was to the right of the steering column.

 

Blue/Green should be the final wiring to front fogs, Blue/Yellow to driving lamps.

 

Page 43.3 here:

https://www.theminif...attach_id=68240



#10 Blake71

Blake71

    Stage One Kit Fitted

  • Just Joined
  • PipPipPip
  • 82 posts
  • Location: Barnard castle

Posted 01 December 2020 - 09:45 AM

Thanks for that GraemeC, it looks like it was only ever fitted with driving lamps and not front fog lamps, both sides are blue/green and black. 

 

Regards, Steve






1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users