5 replies to this topic

[wgcpfc]

Hi there,

 

I don't often post on here but, as is probably true with most mini owners, am a frequent reader of the 'Problems, Questions and Technical' section of the forum.

 

Sorry if this question has been answered already elsewhere!

 

My 1988, Mayfair, 998 has a strange headlight issue where full and dipped beams work normally but when only the sidelights are switched on, the passenger side illuminates at the correct brightness whilst the drivers side is very dim (almost undetectable in daylight). Has anyone else come across this? I've checked the connectors that run along the wiring loom behind the top of the grille and they all seem to be corrosion free and connecting/disconnecting them has the expected affect. This really has me puzzled as I would have thought lights would be binary!

 

Secondly, as all the other light stages work properly, would this pass an MOT?

 

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Any advice is much appreciated!

 

Wayne

[neal]

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_170.htm

[KernowCooper]

Check the main earth point on the drivers inner wing brace bracket, or pop the black earth out the bullet connectors and earth it out, sounds a classic bad earth issue, if you have a Sealey or similar tester which can provide a earth then do that test first

[tiger99]

And try changing both bulbs for a new pair. Not all supposedly similar bulbs are equal! Check that the bulb holders are clean and not corroded, and making good contact. You have probably tried that already.

Is it a genuinely dim light, ie yellow rather than white, or is it less light but still white? It could be the bulb is misplaced with respect to its aperture in the reflector, letting less light through, if it is dim but still the correct white.

If you still have not found the problem, swap the complete light units over and tell us whether the dim one follows the swap or stays put. But you will probably deduce where the fault is yourself at that stage.

[Carlos W]

 It could be the bulb is misplaced with respect to its aperture in the reflector, letting less light through, if it is dim but still the correct white.
 

I think it looks like the bulb isn't sat properly in the aperture, it doesn't seem to reflect the same as the other side, if it was just dim I'd expect it to reflect evenly, but just dimmer.

 

It could be the camera making it look like that though.

 

Good luck

[Scousemouse]

Check the side light bulb holder is still sitting in the four clips that hold it in the main bulb connection.You could always put a couple of LED bulbs in your sidelights,you'll notice the difference/Brightness right away.Not a bad idea to check your earths (can't hurt to add extra)