4 replies to this topic

[smailzy]

Hello!

I have an F Reg Austin Mini City E which has been having electrical problems that I just can't seem to figure out.

A few weeks ago, all the lights apart from the indicators, brake and reversing lights stopped working. I tried changing the switch and this brought the front lights back on but not the side lights. I checked to see if it was an earthing problem but that was all fine.

As a temporary measure, I ran a new wire from the side lights straight to the switch and this solved the problem until last night when I found that only one of the side lights is working and the horn, rear window heater, dash lights and number plate light have now also given up the ghost.

I have had several attempts to fix it, sat outside with my trusty Haynes manual, but I am stuck. The wiring diagram doesn't seem to match what's in my car and it doesn't tell me where the wires go when then disappear behind the fuel tank. I thought they ran inside but they just seem to vanish!

The nights are drawing in and I am starting to get a little desperate! Does any one have any ideas? I got a quote from a garage of approximately £100 to fix it but I would prefer to try and do it myself...

Any suggestions would be great!!

I'm sorry if this has been answered elsewhere, I did do a search to check but it didn't bring anything up...

Thanks!

Helen

PS I meant main beams lol, not quite sure what man beams are!!

Edited by smailzy, 20 October 2007 - 01:52 PM.

[taffy1967]

Hello Helen, have you checked all the fuses are fitted correctly and none have blown? Here's a list: -

Standard 4 fuse box mounted on the bulkhead: -


1 1-2 35amp Brake Lights, Reverse Lights, Direction Indicators & Rear Screen Demister.

2 3-4 25amp Horn, Headlamp Flasher, Brake Failure Circuit & Radio Memory.

3 5-6 25amp Heater Blower Motor, Windscreen Wipers, Washer Motor & Instruments.

4 7-8 15amp Side & Tail Lights & Panel Lights.


1-2 These circuits only operate with the ignition switch at position "II".

5-6 These circuits only operate with the ignition switch at position "I" or "II".


The 4 Fuse box wiring colours should be from top to bottom: -

White - Green
Brown - Purple
Light Green/White - Light Green/Orange
Red - Red/Green

So it helps if the spade connectors are all fitted in accordance with that, so you know everything is getting the correct fuse rating.

Anyway the fault could be with the fuse box and perhaps removing it and cleaning off any rust on the contacts might help. Or just replace it completely since it's not expensive.

The other problem could be with the pesky bullet connectors that are located behind the grille. These can cause grief if there's a poor connection with them and here's another wiring colour list: -

Earth is the Black wires
Sidelights are Red/Red with Green
Headlights are thick Blue with Red
Main Beam thick Blue with White

It's sure to be something simple because the wiring loom on your Mini isn't that complex. But that garage is taking the *yellow human water* and if you can't sort it out yourself, then get a few quotes from other places or ask for help at your local Mini Club.

I hope you get it fixed soon.

[Ethel]

They are all permanent live feed - does your interior light not work as well?

Have a look at the brown wires on your solenoid for starters.

Do you get main and dipped beam permanently on or just the man beam flasher?






(Yes I did that on purpose )

[smailzy]

Thank you both for the advice!

I have checked the fuses and the fuse box, both seem to be ok but I gave the box a little clean anyway as there was some rust on it, I should be getting a new one in the post tomorrow.

Ethel - My interior light has stopped working and I just get the main beam flasher... will go and have a look at the wires on the solenoid now...

[Ethel]

Could be a collection of faults..

The flasher is supplied separately to the dip main beam which come off the light switch.

The dash, number plate, side and tail lights all run off the first position on the light switch so if the whole lot are off the problem sounds like the switch or supply to it. I don't think the light switch's supply is fused but it comes off the fuse box on the same line that supplies the interior light, horn and H lamp flasher. The red wire of the light switch runs back to the fuse box. The headlamps are unfused.

The wiring to the rear lights runs along the roof rail above the passenger door.

Edited by Ethel, 23 October 2007 - 06:23 PM.