40 replies to this topic

[Marc13]

Hi,

My headlights and main beam/flash don't work on my classic mini.

The rear lights and indicators are fine and so are the side lights. But I have no head lights/main beam on either side. I've checked the fuses and they seam ok.

Any ideas?

I suppose i could change the fuse anyway??? Any idea which fuse would do the these lights? Or can we rule the fuse out, because a fuse would do all the lights? Is that how it works?

[Compdoc]

Depending on the year and model the fusing varies. The one item to look at first is the headlamp switch, these are notoriously unreliable.

[lordcakes]

If you have tail lights (and sidelights) then this indicates power is getting to the headlight switch. Depending on your wiring, the likely culprits are fuse, relay (if these have been added to your wiring), stalk switch or the big connector within the front panel.

The best thing you can do is to check your voltages at various points to isolate your fault

[Spider]

The Stalks often give trouble I find.

[cal844]

Check for power on the BLUE/WHITE wires on at the front of the car when the switch and stalk is operated.

If your car is a 1990 - 1996 (pre MPI but before the 24 fuse board) have a look behind the speedo binnacle (if you have no luck fault finding) there may well be 4 fuses buried

[Marc13]

The lights turn on with a switch on the dash switch panel - not a stalk.
The centre switch in the photo below, has 3 positions. OFf at the top, press down to the middle for side lights and then press down again to the bottom for full headlights.

The side lights come on when you press to the middle, but when you press again to put the switch to the bottom, nothing else happens.

[Marc13]

Photo of the switch - its the centre one.
I can see 4 fuses in the engine bay and all 4 look om. Does that sound right?

Attached Files

•  Screenshot_20210822-210334_Gallery.jpg   31.93K   18 downloads

[Marc13]

Look ok* sorry

[cal844]

That could be the switch has failed, try a new one, or check for relays in the system

[bpirie1000]

I would certainly suggest to check thecondition of the bullet connectors on the front of the car, nearthe bonnet catch in the centre
I would also suggest getting a test lamp to make sure the bulbs have not popped. Work your way back from the bulb...

Bulbs work.. then junction box or bullet connectors, then fusebox.

Back of them can corrode giving issues...or sometimes the in line glass fuses can corrode and cause issues also... then switches.. but if the back works think we can rule out the switch and broken fuse.....

[Ethel]

It looks like your car's a "bitsa" the pedal is post '76 but the switches aren't. There probably isn't a fuse for the headlights, that was only done on late cars & each side was fused independently.

 

Does the headlight flasher work? If it does it's more likely to be that toggle switch. You could undo the multiplug for the column stalk - With the light switch fully on, the solid blue wire should be live - you can test by bridging the pins with a paper clip, or similar. Blue to purple/black would sound the horn. The stalk should connect blue to blue/red for dip beam & blue to blue/white for high.

[sonscar]

Have they ever worked? Is the switch off/on/on three position?Steve..

[andyapanel]

Run in new earths at the front. Those bullet connectors are a pain
Good luck

[Marc13]

Just getting back to my lights issue - I parked it for a bit!

Taken the switch panel of the dash and having a look at the light switch behind, I found a loose connection (well it wasnt connected at all). When i connected it to the back of the switch the main lights came on. Problem is, they stay on. Whatever position the switch is in (top for off, middle for side lights, bottom for main lights) the main lights are permanently on! I suspect the previous owner left it disconnected for this reason!!!!. I swappedd the wire for the side lights to the terminal on the switch where the main wire goes, and then the side lights are permenantly on. Put the side lights back now, and disconnected the main lights. Any ideas on what is causing the lights to stay on (when connected)?

[cal844]

Change the switch

Look for any burnt plastic on the connection

Edited by cal844, 11 October 2021 - 08:37 PM.