Garfie
Mini Clubman Estate
Carrie
Posts: 184
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Post by Garfie on May 27, 2009 18:10:34 GMT
Dunno if anyone can help, but was driving the other night, and whilst on full beam, i went over a bump and my lights went out completely apart from side lights. when i flicked the swith to dipped lights they came on, so just basically lost full beam. I've had all the lights out today and they are working fine, but there seems to be no power getting to the lights from inside the car, anyone got any ideas?  Gareth |
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Post by Miniböttcher on May 27, 2009 18:41:47 GMT
check you have a good earth
check the fuse box and fuses,
check all connectors to the fuse box are good and not corroded, use some sand paper to clean them up
some times there are inline fuses and bullet connectors running across the front panel and bulk head check them
also get electric tester and trace the power down the cable from the switch and colunm down to the light, and slowly single out the problem
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Post by oldgit on May 27, 2009 18:47:20 GMT
If you have dipped beam think the fuse must be ok.Not sure on the newer minis but isnt there a main beam relay on offside wing?might be worth checking.Also check dip switch on coloum.
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Post by Simon1275mpi on May 27, 2009 18:48:55 GMT
Buy a new fuse box and light switch. £20 for both from minispares  |
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Post by AntMan on May 27, 2009 19:10:37 GMT
I got a spare light switch mate if needed Ant  |
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Post by monkeyjim on May 27, 2009 20:43:09 GMT
Buy a new fuse box and light switch. £20 for both from minispares While your at it buy new front and rear lamp units , switches wiring loom, bulbs...... oh and a new shell so it all earths nicely . only about £3800 . Or you could check any in-line fuses on bulkhead as well as the other bits suggested. |
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Post by Simon1275mpi on May 28, 2009 11:35:59 GMT
As its an intermittent fault, do the checks of all the connections, fuses and described.
7/10 times, an electrical fault or most commonly an array of electrical faults will be traced to the box fuse.
I personally have had at least three cars with head light faults/issues. Faults were traced to the fuse box, or the light switch and another was the indicator stalk with needed the connections cleaning.
Due to the fuse box design of the stacked and crimped together terminals, water can track between these terminals corroding not only the blade and exterior, but also the contact faces. Add the factor of the location on the bulkhead which is commonly washed via a rusted through scuttle panel or poor seals around the bonnet. Hence I would recommend a periodic 20 year replacement at £12.
Order today, check they have it in stock and it will arrive tomorrow to fit over the weekend. Reference my name so I get my commission :-P
Hope its already sorted Garfie :-)
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Garfie
Mini Clubman Estate
Carrie
Posts: 184
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Post by Garfie on Jun 8, 2009 21:29:21 GMT
I would like to thank everyone for their help, only got round to sorting it on Saturday, but it was a fuse behind the dash board had melted to the plastic around it, so has been replaced and have full beam back! thanx for the advice
Gareth ;D
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Post by monkeyjim on Jun 11, 2009 19:36:20 GMT
its amazing how those fuse holders have a meltdown.
they get replaced and it never happens again , but why do they do it in the first place .
shawn had the same prob on his not long ago.
Si , I have heard some people grease the back of the fuse boxes .
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Post by Simon1275mpi on Jun 11, 2009 21:25:13 GMT
'Electrical contact grease' is good stuff as a thin smear to prevent corosion and provide a good contact. But for those not in the know, a dollop of grease will make matters worse by trapping water in the conections.
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Post by mccarefree on Jun 11, 2009 21:28:04 GMT
Vaseline and rubber gloves then?
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