3 replies to this topic

[atom]

I'm rebuilding a mini at the moment, and I'm working my way through the (un-labelled) loom trying to figure things out.

I've come to the indicators.

At the moment, there's one flasher unit - I assume is for the indicators. When I flick the indicator stalk, the dash light comes on and stays on - but tesing with my multimeter, I don't read any power across the flasher unit.

Since there are no lights fitted at the moment, I've simply joined the two wires that the indiactor would connect to.

There are some wires behind the dash that aren't connected to anything. I suspect they're supposed to be connected to another flasher unit - for the hazards. Am I right in thinking the hazards run off a different flasher unit?

[Dan]

First off, how about telling us what year this car is? The wiring has changed many times in the Mini.

All wiring looms are labelled, that is what the different coloured wires mean. They never have tags telling you in English what everything does or where it goes, but every colour means something different. Read the wiring diagram.

If you are using mechanical flasher units you need bulbs fitted to the wiring to make the flasher units work. If the current through the flasher is too high (as in when you short it out by joining the lamp wires together) you could destroy it. Even if it isn't broken it will just go open circuit incredibly quickly when it is shorted like this and will look for all the world like it is staying like that. Most Minis have different flasher units for the hazards but not knowing what year this loom is it's hard to say.

[atom]

Ah yes, actually connecting the lights seems to have done the trick. I should have realised that, but I guess I was just being lazy.

Unfortunately, I have no idea what year the loom is.
It's a kit car that uses mini parts, and what year the donor mini was, I can't even be sure. My best guess, since it's registered as such, would be 1969 - however, I've seen very little evidence that any components from that car actually exist.

I think it must be the hazard flasher that's missing, since the hazard switch does absolutely nothing. Are indicator flashers and hazard flashers pretty much the same - could I just swap it around to see what effect it has?

Edited by atom, 13 May 2007 - 07:59 AM.

[Dan]

No, well not for road use anyhow. You could use it to test the system but the flash rate will be all wrong because of the extra load of the additional lamps. The flash rate would be too slow for the MOT/SVA and it might end up damaging the flasher. You need a proper 4 x 21 watt hazard flasher for long term use.