electrical problems

[speedgenius]

hey guys,
having problems with my mini (1988 carburettor mayfair). basically, all is fine until i turn the sidelights/headlights on or flash the flasher. when i do this, the radio cuts out, the horn doesn't work, the brake tester light switch thingy doesnt work and the lights don't come on either. it isnt a fuse and i'm positive it isn't the switch. any other ideas?

[Deleted]

Could be a short somewhere in the cicuit?

Shawn will prop suggest a couple of things

daz

[Miniböttcher]

earth problem, re clean all the earth points in the car

i always take the fuse box off redo all the connectors and clean up the terminals,


check the wires under the steering column and the connectors blocks and where they connect to the indicator stalks,

is your radio wired up properly because it could be draining power or may not be enough power to power things when the lights are on

is your alternator charging the battery it should have about 14v when the engine is running, you need a eletric tester to put on the battery to test that

ALWAYS START SIMPLE AND CANCEL OUT THINGS ONE BY ONE SIMPLE FIRST

dean

[Stephen]

agree with dean, most likely a bad earth, or many. check the battery earth strap in the boot as well, mine gets corroded quite often

[MiniHaven]

hi guys unlikely to be bad earth unless you are experiencing complete electrical failiure the most regular problem with these symptoms is a stock fault in the minis electrical system of this age the fault is happening at maximum current drain ie when you flash your lights . i will be corroded fuse box terminals , more specificaly the point where the connector blades are riveted together behind the fuse box this is where the terminals which handle the most current are exposed to damp and water sodden foam backing got corroded .
the only effective remedy is to replace the fuse box not expensve about 15 quid from lucas
based in hove in the phone book as LUK .
see previous posts i think i provided telephone number before
if you require further help or advise give me a call @minihaven 01274 611355 any time

[speedgenius]

thanks all for the advice. after posting the car has decided to behave itself so i havnt been able to try anything out. shes now going back into storage as im back to brighton this weekend. cheers