7 replies to this topic

[Avl_Paul]

On my 95, the headlights have a removable 3-prong bulb in the center of the lamp and a very small bulb that separately goes into the lower part of the lamp. Is this standard or has someone changed out the lamps? When in the low beam setting, only the lower "tiny" bulb is lit. When in "High Beam" setting, the center prong of the 3-prong bulb is powered. The other prong / bulb in the 3-prong light never seems to be operated. How is this supposed to work?

I've found some questionable rewiring on this thing so want to find out how it was supposed to be....

[Bungle]

sound like you have lost the power to the dipped beam

the small bulb is your side lights and the big bulb is you dipped and high beam

the switch is a common thing that fails

[Dan]

The small bulb is the sidelamp, this is standard in almost every car ever made with single unit headlamps.

You dim dip relay may have failed. It's a large pink relay under the dash, try smacking it first to see if it will release.

[Avl_Paul]

Ok, now I'm a bit confused. My headlamps have two different bulbs installed - one 3 prong "modern" looking bulb in the center and a small "torch" size bulb near the bottom of the headlamp. Inside the car, the rocker switch marked for the lights has 3 positions - I assumed that they are off, dipped, and brights. Currently, when in the dipped position, only the small "torch" size bulb is lit. Should the main bulb also be light off the other filament. When in the "Brights" position, both the torch bulb and the main bulb are lit.

There appears to be second rocker switch with a "lights" symbol on it. Is this supposed to control the other filament in the main bulb? The previous owner told me that this was supposed to adjust the tilt of the lights! Of course, I quickly saw that there was no mechanism for that.


Thanks folks,
Paul

[yorkshirechris]

Ok, now I'm a bit confused. My headlamps have two different bulbs installed - one 3 prong "modern" looking bulb in the center and a small "torch" size bulb near the bottom of the headlamp. Inside the car, the rocker switch marked for the lights has 3 positions - I assumed that they are off, dipped, and brights. Currently, when in the dipped position, only the small "torch" size bulb is lit. Should the main bulb also be light off the other filament. When in the "Brights" position, both the torch bulb and the main bulb are lit.

There appears to be second rocker switch with a "lights" symbol on it. Is this supposed to control the other filament in the main bulb? The previous owner told me that this was supposed to adjust the tilt of the lights! Of course, I quickly saw that there was no mechanism for that.


Thanks folks,
Paul

The three positions are OFF, SIDELIGHTS, DIPPED BEAM. You then should be able to switch to MAIN BEAM (full beam) by toggling or pulling forwards the indicator stalk.

When you go to the middle position on the switch the "dull" bulbs should come on, as well as the rear lights.

When you go to the bottom position on the switch the normal Headlights should come on, these are obviously brighter than the sidelights...

You should be able to flash your main (full) beam by pulling the indicator stalk towards you whatever setting the Switch is on, and if your switch is on the bottom position (headlamps) if you push the indicator stalk backwards, the main (full) beam should come on permanently (until you pull the stalk back to the normal positon).

Think I got that right.

So what exactly is the problem?

[Ouster]

Huh?
THe rocker has 3 positions:
1 - All lights off
2 - Sidelights - both your "torch" lights should come on as well as the dash lights.
3 - Dipped - "torch" lights and main bulbs should be lit.

Im confused what you were trying to explain above.

Is the other rocker switch to the right of the steering wheel? That's where my fog light switch is located in my mini so get out and see if that turns on your rear fog light. As far as I know, minis dont have adjustable lights.

[Avl_Paul]

Aha! So the problem is that I am just dense and forgot about the switch on the stalk in troubleshoting the wiring issues! So, many thanks for your detailed explanations and patience with my foolishness. Being in the U.S., I was not familiar with the concept of "Sidelights" - what do you use those for? Daytime running lights, perhaps?

When you refer to the rocker switch for the foglights - I presume those are the grill lights? They are not wired on this car so I need to find the place in the wiring harness that is being powered by that rocker switch. Any ideas there?


Is thee anywhere on the web that I can find detailed exploded view assembly drawings with parts? I need to know what I am missing and where?

Also, what about wiring schematics? I have ordered the Haynes manual but it won't arrive until next week.

Thanks folks,
Paul

[Dan]

The foglamps controlled by the switch you have will more than likely be a rear lamp called a fog gaurd warning lamp. Essentially this a lamp at the rear which is as bright as the brake lamps but can be lit permanantly in thick fog or reduced visibility. It should be hanging under the rear bumper but may have been removed since they aren't needed in your country.

Sidelights are supposed to be used when a vehicle is parked on an unlit street or in an unexpected place at night and on older vehicles can be used without headlamps when under streetlights although nearly nobody does this. At this time there is no daylight running lamp required in Britain.

For exploded views of you car you need to find parts catalogues. Many places can sell you one of these (all the Mini parts specilists have their own version available, try Mini Mania in California for yours) if you need a paper copy. If you want one on-line try the websites of the same compnies. Moss Europe has a good website with the parts catalogue detailed on it as does Somerford Mini Specialists.