6 replies to this topic

[GummoMarx]

Hello

I have a 92 rover mini, 1275 auto with an abundance of electrical gremlins that like to pop up every so often.

Most recently I made the mistake of using an fm transmitter in the 12v socket. I assume the combination of bumps from the road wiggled the transmitter around and either blew out the circuit.

Anyways after seeing a couple sparks pop up I have smelled a bit of a burning smell, my tachometer also went shortly after and will not respond.

I do not have a fuse box in the car and have a variety of fuses around the car. Are the tach and lighter connected? I am pretty freaked out about electrical burning so I have lifted off the negative terminal and have parked the car.

I plan to replace the socket right away, in the meantime can I remove this socket and continue driving. And if so, what can I do about the tach. The spedo and fuel/temp gauges do work.

Dumb questions, but can't find any other answers.

Thx guys

[Captain Mainwaring]

Pop the socket out, take the wires off and make them adequately safe with tape if required and drive away.

 

I don't have electrical drawings for your car, but I'm sure someone will be able to tell you what fuse to look at. I'd be surprised tat the ciggy lighter shared a feed with the tacho but sounds like it could be an aftermarket "improvement".

[robminibcy]

I dont think minis came with 12v sockets as standard so without a wiring diagram or tracingthe wires its hard to tell how its fitted and therefore what problems are connected. Although sparks are never good And if since then there's been burning and the tacho has stopped it may well be in the some way connected. See if anything else has stopped which could help identify how its wired.

 

when you say you don't have a fuse box in the car car are you sure there's meant to be? Most older minis have a 4 fuse block in The engine bay on the bulkhead. If you men there really is no fuse box this needs to be rectified asap for the safety of you and the car!

 

As for driving id have a thourgh check at the wiring first and try to identify the source of burning. It could be that somewhere in the socket circuit there's a short but also if fuses are a bit lacking this could be very serious and cause the whole loom and car to go up.

Edited by robminibcy, 30 July 2013 - 09:42 AM.

[GummoMarx]

I do have the 4 fuse block, I did locate a blown fuse under the steering well and have purchased a replacement lighter and socket.

Hopefully this will rectify the issue, there has definitely been aftermarket "modifications" from the previous owner. Basically I saw the fuse box in the Haynes manual, however nothing in this but I do have the the 4 in the bay.

Thanks guys, hopefully this will be an easy fix without anymore odd smells.

[Captain Mainwaring]

May be better to find another place for the supply rather than something shared.

[GummoMarx]

Forgive my ignorance, but how do you mean?

[Yoda]

It looks like you are in Canada? shame really, i would have popped round to help, but if you are around, Toronto or Niagara, just send me three plane tickets and i will come! my family have not seen me for twenty years now LOL

 

You need to isolate/remove the lighter socket wiring and rectify the other faults first before doing anything with the lighter! then i suggest you wire the lighter either from the battery or starter solenoid with a fuse as close to the source as possible on some nice 30 amp wire or larger! not sure how wire is rated over there?

 

The other faults are most likely to be fuses, melted wires shorting out or something similarly dangerous. ideally you need an auto electrician to take a look.