Weird Light Behavior
Discussion
Hi There, wonder if you can help..
When I turn the lights on in my mini, all is well. If I indicate it works fine. But, after indicating, if I try and turn the lights off they stay on, occasionally along with the hazard lights flashing once.
I'm thinking a mucky ground somewhere? Or a sticking relay?
Could anyone point me to the appropriate grounds or relays?
Cheers!
When I turn the lights on in my mini, all is well. If I indicate it works fine. But, after indicating, if I try and turn the lights off they stay on, occasionally along with the hazard lights flashing once.
I'm thinking a mucky ground somewhere? Or a sticking relay?
Could anyone point me to the appropriate grounds or relays?
Cheers!
I would go along with that, ground and connectors last would be the relay (They normly work or not and dont norly stay on). As the power cant find its way to ground via the ground wire it is traveling via another part to groung (The resistance is lowere to ground the the normal ground wire). Connectors would be top of my list to check.
On clubmans the front indicator/sidelight unit earths to the body panel so no earth wire, I'm guessing this will be a similar situation with the round nose indicators. Earth points may vary on different models but mine has one on the left hand side of the engine bay just infront of the big tower subframe mount bolts. If its not an earth cant really think of any other suggestions, other than going round the system replacing parts, checking contacts/connections as you go until you find it. I hate electrical problems.
Simon
Simon
skunk20 said:
On clubmans the front indicator/sidelight unit earths to the body panel so no earth wire, I'm guessing this will be a similar situation with the round nose indicators. Earth points may vary on different models but mine has one on the left hand side of the engine bay just infront of the big tower subframe mount bolts. If its not an earth cant really think of any other suggestions, other than going round the system replacing parts, checking contacts/connections as you go until you find it. I hate electrical problems.
Simon
I don't know whether my logic is flawed here, but if both indicators flash like they do, then it can't be down to an earth on one of the lights surely? Simon
Or is it the current from one going across the car through the headlight circuit to the other indicator?
Cheers
I'll admit to not being an electrical wizz but I always find earths are a good place to start as generally it just means cleaning up contacts, even if you gain nothing by trying it, you haven't spent any money.
Just got the wiring diagrams out (haynes manual) and i think my first port of call would be your hazard light switch on the dash, you said that sometimes you get a flash from your hazard lights, this is the place in the circuitry that the hazard and indicator circuits meet. The hazard light switch should pop out of the dash fairly easily and just check the contacts on the back, make sure they all look alright and there is no chance of them shorting.
Simon
Just got the wiring diagrams out (haynes manual) and i think my first port of call would be your hazard light switch on the dash, you said that sometimes you get a flash from your hazard lights, this is the place in the circuitry that the hazard and indicator circuits meet. The hazard light switch should pop out of the dash fairly easily and just check the contacts on the back, make sure they all look alright and there is no chance of them shorting.
Simon
A sensible question to ask is what car do you have?
Originally I was looking at the wiring diagram for a clubman as thats what I have and they earth the indicators through the indicator units, however just looked at the wiring diagram for a 1984 onwards carb mini with single instrument pack(round front). On these cars the earthing for the front indicators are different, theyshare the same earth as the headlights!! which would follow what you have told me.
So i'd go back to checking the earth stud which I think (hopefully) will be just infront of the drivers side subframe tower mount bolt, it will look like a bolt sticking out of the bodywork with several black wires running to it and a nut holding them on.
Hopefully we are getting somewhere.
Simon
Originally I was looking at the wiring diagram for a clubman as thats what I have and they earth the indicators through the indicator units, however just looked at the wiring diagram for a 1984 onwards carb mini with single instrument pack(round front). On these cars the earthing for the front indicators are different, theyshare the same earth as the headlights!! which would follow what you have told me.
So i'd go back to checking the earth stud which I think (hopefully) will be just infront of the drivers side subframe tower mount bolt, it will look like a bolt sticking out of the bodywork with several black wires running to it and a nut holding them on.
Hopefully we are getting somewhere.
Simon
No worky. The headlight circuit is still messing with the rest of the car when its used. Having now fitted a radio that always turns off if I flash my lights at someone.
To confirm when the headlights are on the radio and the indicators are sporadic in how they work. The stalk switch is £40 so I hope something cheaper is wrong!
Any Help Appreciated as ever!
Cheers
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