13 replies to this topic

[Welwynbee]

I'm a complete Mini newbie so apologies in advance ! We have a 1996 Mini Mayfair. All was fine, son went out at night, main headlights working fine. Went back to the car later, side lights working, but when you put the rocker switch fully down neither the dash lights nor the main headlights work. The main beam on the stalk still works with the rocker switch half way. I did a bit of research, concluded it was the dip dim relay. I've changed that, also the fuse no. 4 in the fuse box inside the bonnet. Still no joy. You can hear the click of the relay when you switch the switch.

The only other place where I assume all the wires all come together is the switch itself but replacing that looks a little more complex for my very limited technical skills. Just wondered if anyone has any other thoughts.

Any help much appreciated.

[mab01uk]

The rocker switch is a common fault and easy to replace. If you press on the switch sometimes it makes the connection and the lights come on but replacement is usually the answer. Gently prise it out the switch panel or drop down the front of the heater (2 screws) and push it out from behind......pull off the wiring connector plug and fit your new rocker switch. If you buy the new rocker switch first you will be able to see how it clips in, etc.

Edited by mab01uk, 30 December 2015 - 12:38 PM.

[Welwynbee]

The rocker switch is a common fault and easy to replace. If you press on the switch sometimes it makes the connection and the lights come on but replacement is usually the answer. Gently prise it out the switch panel or drop down the front of the heater (2 screws) and push it out from behind......pull off the wiring connector plug and fit your new rocker switch. If you buy the new rocker switch first you will be able to see how it clips in, etc.

Thanks for this. I took the plunge and removed the rocker switch and opened it up and cleaned all the contacts. I'll buy a new one as you suggest but I was wondering given that it was ok one minute and not the next whether there might be another inline fuse somewhere. I've looked around the relay and switch but can't see one. It would also need to be in a wire that fed both headlights and the dash.

[RedRuby]

Don't know if they were still fitted on 1996 models but some cars, think they started on the early SPis, had four inline fuses behind the dash near the steering colum one each for the left and right headlights and left and right side lights

[Welwynbee]

Don't know if they were still fitted on 1996 models but some cars, think they started on the early SPis, had four inline fuses behind the dash near the steering colum one each for the left and right headlights and left and right side lights

 

Many thanks, I've had a root around and can't find any, but then I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking for!  If anyone could post photos of an inline fuse cluster that might help.  I've also see that there could be inline fuses behind the air filter on the bulk but again, mine doesn't seem to have these. 

[RedRuby]

Don't know if they were still fitted on 1996 models but some cars, think they started on the early SPis, had four inline fuses behind the dash near the steering colum one each for the left and right headlights and left and right side lights

 
Many thanks, I've had a root around and can't find any, but then I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking for!  If anyone could post photos of an inline fuse cluster that might help.  I've also see that there could be inline fuses behind the air filter on the bulk but again, mine doesn't seem to have these.

Sorry but no photo, if they are fitted to yours and are like mine they run tight to the bulkhead just on top of the bracket for the steering column.

[Ethel]

I doubt you'd blow all 4 fuses and it wouldn't explain the lack dash illum. The dim dip relay operates when you turn the sidelights and ignition on at the same time, so you should only hear the relay click when you turn one on while the other is also.

 

With the ignition off, the light (rocker) switch should turn on dash, side, numberplate and tail lights in the middle position. Pushing the switch all the way on will add headlights that can be switched between dip and main using the stalk.

 

With the ignition on, the middle position also lights the dipped beam at reduced brightness because the dim dip relay connects the dipped beam to an alternative supply via the dim dip resistor you'll find on the bulkhead near the radiator. Full power headlights are added as before, so you won't notice the dimmed dip circuit is still connected.

[Welwynbee]

Thanks Ethel. I guess that points to a fault either at the switch as originally suggested, at the stalk switch or at the dip dim resistor ? The mystery deepens!

[Ethel]

You need to have a good look at what lights when, as I described above. Does the high beam blue warning light also work? Report back, and let us know if you have multimeter or test light and we can suggest how to track down the fault.

 

The stalk can fail, but you still have dimmed dip beam if you drove with the rocker on sides - assuming that was the only fault. Again, it wouldn't explain the missing dash illum or full beam. Not the headlight flasher, that shares yet another supply with the horn.

[Welwynbee]

This is the situation with the lights.  Ignition off, rocker switch half way, side lights, rear lights, number plate light and dash illum all work.  Ignition off, rocker switch full down, nothing works.  Exactly the same when the ignition is on, half way switches on the sides, number plate, rear lights and dash; full down, nothing.  The main beam stalk makes no difference when pushed permanently on.  When pulled to flash it works and the blue light on the dashboard lights up whether the engine is on or off. 

 

I don't have a multi-meter but will probably invest in one !  Hopefully the switch will arrive early next week, if that doesn't do the trick there is clearly a need to trace the break in the circuit.

[Ethel]

That does sound like the light switch. If the +ve supply contacts are worn they can be ok on sides, but lose contact when the switch is pushed further to also bridge to the headlight contacts. Many add relay(s) to control the headlights as the rocker switch is only just up to handling the current, there's a topic on the subject.

 

If you want to confirm: the brown wire is the +ve supply, red is to the sides and blue is the headlights. Use a paperclip, or short length of wire, to bridge between brown and the other two in the connector block.

 

If the front lights don't get brighter, on sidelights when the ignition is turned on, you have another fault. A dimmed dipped beam isn't required, but it would be wise to check and/or isolate the connections for the dim dip resistor. It's a brown/orange wire with an inline fuse.

[Welwynbee]

Thanks for your help Ethel, really appreciated. I'll report back if/when solved !

[AgentHubcap]

Also, you should check your wiring behind the grille. That often corrodes and causes lighting issues.

[Welwynbee]

Hi all.  Just to say that today I eventually got round to replacing the switch and bingo, it looks like everything is now working, so the advice you guys gave was spot on.  It's still strange that it worked one moment but not the next, but there you go. 

 

Thanks for all those that replied.  Until the next little issue......