16 replies to this topic

[Ben1999]

Hi! Hope somebody can help.

 

Got an 1989 Mini here, headlights work as expected in all switch positions. Sidelights and very dim dipped in position 1 (Dim/Dip relay still installed) and sidelights and dipped in position 2. 

 

Pulling the flasher stalk works as expected, lighting up the second filament in the bulb (Sealed units). This works in all switch positions.

 

When pushing the flasher forwards it doesn't work in lights off or position one which is correct. It works in position 2 however turns off the dipped filament so instead of having the sidelight as well as both filaments (dipped and full) on in the bulb I only get sidelights and full as the dipped gets turned off when pushing the stick forwards. This doesn't happen when pulling back. This means that it just looks like dipped beam as it just switches filaments. Is this normal or not?

 

I also have a problem where the rear screen heater comes on only when the headlights are in position 2. It wont work any other time.

 

Hope someone can shed some light on this

Thanks!

[Ben1999]

Also, the sidelights don't come on when the key is out, the dipped beam and flasher does though. Is this normal?

[Ethel]

Your first post all sounds normal. Headlights should be "either or". There's a permanent live feed to the flasher position (shared with the horn) so you can flash a warning in all situation, including dipped beam on.

 

Sides, tails, number plate and dash illum are all on the same circuit with a fused permanent live feed.

[Ben1999]

Your first post all sounds normal. Headlights should be "either or". There's a permanent live feed to the flasher position (shared with the horn) so you can flash a warning in all situation, including dipped beam on.

 

Sides, tails, number plate and dash illum are all on the same circuit with a fused permanent live feed.

Okay thanks, so when I push the flasher forward the dipped should go out? Its just that when i do this the intensity dosent change as it turns the dipped off. however when i pull back the intensity is greater as it dosent turn the dipped off.

 

 So sides should come on when the ignition is off? My tail lights, dash and number plate lights come on but sides dont, when i then turn the ignition on the dim dip relay clicks then they come on, for some reason my sides arent coming on when the ignition is off but everything else that should is.

[guywilko]

Whenever there is an electrical fault, I check the earth leads and the fusebox contacts first

[Ethel]

Pull the stalk towards you for flash. Away from you is high beam fed via the light switch.

I suppose you'd still get a flash as going from stalk forward to back as it involves going via dip beam.

Sounds like a poor connection is most likely. There's power going to the other lights so it must be good beyond the fuse and your sides share the earths for the headlights. Bullet connector behind the grille?

[Twincam]

Id first start off by looking at and cleaning up the connectors behind the grille... Mine weren't allowing for the headlights to work however when i pulled them out they looked fine. 

 

As a matter of course i'd just go round and check the others. 

[Ben1999]

Pull the stalk towards you for flash. Away from you is high beam fed via the light switch.

I suppose you'd still get a flash as going from stalk forward to back as it involves going via dip beam.

Sounds like a poor connection is most likely. There's power going to the other lights so it must be good beyond the fuse and your sides share the earths for the headlights. Bullet connector behind the grille?

Thanks, they both work just when I push away I loose voltage at the dimmed filament for some reason, pulling towards works fine, could it be the switches in the stalk?

[Ben1999]

Id first start off by looking at and cleaning up the connectors behind the grille... Mine weren't allowing for the headlights to work however when i pulled them out they looked fine. 

 

As a matter of course i'd just go round and check the others. 

Thanks, I replaced all the bullet connectors and the sides are working with ignition is off now which is great! Still the problem with high beam though.

[Ethel]

Unless I'm misunderstanding you there's nothing wrong. The dipped beam should only work in the middle position and with the flasher if they're on when you pull the stalk toward you. If you push the stalk forward dip beam goes off and high beam stays on.

The dim dip makes no difference. It's purpose is to prevent you driving on sidelights only. If you have sidelights on with the ignition also on it connects the dip beams to the supply from the ballast resistor. Think of them as brighter side lights.

Or another approach:

The stalk incorporates 2 separate switches...
The headlight beam selector:
fed from the light rocker switch.
Forward - main beam only
Middle - dipped beam only

The headlight flasher:
fed from permanent live
Held to the rear - main beam.
Because it's separate the beam selector remains connected to dip beam.

[Rorf]

Pushing the stalk forward the dip beam goes off and the main beam comes on - two independent circuits. Only when you pull the stalk on its spring action towards you does the main beam flash along with the dip beam still on.

 

A very bad design as there are high amps going through the light switch and the stalk switch and so many owners have relays installed for the main dip and high beams.

[Ben1999]

Unless I'm misunderstanding you there's nothing wrong. The dipped beam should only work in the middle position and with the flasher if they're on when you pull the stalk toward you. If you push the stalk forward dip beam goes off and high beam stays on.

The dim dip makes no difference. It's purpose is to prevent you driving on sidelights only. If you have sidelights on with the ignition also on it connects the dip beams to the supply from the ballast resistor. Think of them as brighter side lights.

Or another approach:

The stalk incorporates 2 separate switches...
The headlight beam selector:
fed from the light rocker switch.
Forward - main beam only
Middle - dipped beam only

The headlight flasher:
fed from permanent live
Held to the rear - main beam.
Because it's separate the beam selector remains connected to dip beam.

 

 

Pushing the stalk forward the dip beam goes off and the main beam comes on - two independent circuits. Only when you pull the stalk on its spring action towards you does the main beam flash along with the dip beam still on.

 

A very bad design as there are high amps going through the light switch and the stalk switch and so many owners have relays installed for the main dip and high beams.

Ahh I see, that is great then. Pulling it towards puts on main beam and keeps dipped beam and pushing it to the hold position turns on main beam and turns off dipped like you guys said. Maybe I'm due some new lamps then because when I'm pushing it forwards the light output is the same as when its on dipped beam, they're probably on their way out.

 

Thanks again!

[gazza82]

The standard H4 bulbs are probably 45 watt on dipped and 55 on main so you are unlikely to notice a difference. If they are sealed beams then reduce those values by 90%!

[Ben1999]

The standard H4 bulbs are probably 45 watt on dipped and 55 on main so you are unlikely to notice a difference. If they are sealed beams then reduce those values by 90%!

Yeah haha, I have the sealed beams at the moment, going to do a conversion. That's why there is most likely no difference when pushing flasher forwards then.

[gazza82]

When you do convert it is worth adding in relays too as the slightly higher wattage can take out your switch .. I'll be making my own when I get to do mine but I've read Wired-by-Wilson are good off the shelf additions