danni432
1330cc
"they went thata way ->"
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Post by danni432 on Dec 30, 2007 0:07:12 GMT 1
since i bought my mini back in June the reverse lights have never worked... weve been concentrating on the rest of the problems since but alot has been done now and as alot of cars carry on driving towards me when im reversing i would like some reverse lights  Any suggestions as to why the reverse lights arent working and is it easy to get them woking again? i thought the bulbs might have gone because others had i replaced them and still no luck the brake lights and all the other lights on the car work fine. my hazzards flash abit mad but they always have since i took them to a garage to be fixxed. Danni |
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danni432
1330cc
"they went thata way ->"
Posts: 963
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Post by danni432 on Dec 30, 2007 0:20:44 GMT 1
okies cheers phil ill check that tomorrow if they are connected would there be another problem?
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Post by jc1380s on Dec 30, 2007 10:01:27 GMT 1
Isn't there a switch on the end of those gearstick wires underneath the car that is operated only when the gearstick is put into reverse?  I seem to remember that the connections to that switch can corrode and break off.  Never had this problem myself so not sure but will have a look in the Haynes bible and see what I can come up with!  A spotlight fitted on the boot wired through a switch on the dash used to be a very popular alternative back when minis didn't come with reversing lights as standard and was great when some prat came up behind you with their main beam on! ;D Think its illegal now though but only if the boys in blue catch you using it at the time  jc |
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danni432
1330cc
"they went thata way ->"
Posts: 963
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Post by danni432 on Dec 30, 2007 15:50:36 GMT 1
cheers jc how can i tell if it is a switch that has borken off?
yeah i was thinking of puttin one on under the bumper on the otherside fromt he fog lamp looks like ill be doing that if i cant get the originals to work.
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Post by jc1380s on Dec 30, 2007 16:17:29 GMT 1
I'm afraid its a jack it up job and crawl under!
You should see the wires from inside the car attached to the switch on the remote gearstick housing directly under where the gearstick is inside the car.
If wires are not corroded and connected you can remove them from the switch and connect them together (shorting out the switch) and with the ignition on you should light the reversing lights. If this happens then its a faulty switch and you will need to replace it.
If you've got a Haynes Bible it tells you how to do it in there. Look under 'reversing lights'
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danni432
1330cc
"they went thata way ->"
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Post by danni432 on Dec 30, 2007 17:25:44 GMT 1
right today ui did what phil first said. took the four screw out by the gear stick. couldnt find any wires at all..... then i had a look in the boot, think i found one of the problems there. the right hand set f lights all the wrires were connects to everythign else then i had a look at the reverse light wire went to follow to where its be attacthed and after about 4 inches of wire there was nothing... its not connected at all and i cant even see the other half.... i dont have a jack here so when i take it to lukes hopefully can have a look underneath then any advise as to wehre that other half might have gone or what it could be worht doing  the car was a whole wiring mess , well it still is for somethings the last owner has really messed this mini up , probably why he sold it me n luke thought. |
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taffy1967
turbo
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'1959-2000 Original & Best'
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Post by taffy1967 on Dec 30, 2007 20:32:36 GMT 1
I would carefully move the fuel tank out of the way, because all the wiring disappears behind there and you may find the remains of the reverse light wiring there.
The previous owner might have disconnected the reverse lights because the switch beneath the car can sometimes short against the exhaust and cause the main fuse (top fuse) to blow,
So he'd then also lose the 'Brake Lights, Direction Indicators & Rear Screen Demister' as well as the Reverse Lights.
Ripping the wiring out probably seemed easier than correcting the actual problem?
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danni432
1330cc
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Post by danni432 on Dec 31, 2007 15:51:09 GMT 1
he must have decide to disconnect everything , the car was and still slightly is a wiring mess. shame  is it expenisve for me to just take it to a garage for them to do the reverse lights or is it worth doing it myself ? |
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Post by jc1380s on Dec 31, 2007 15:59:59 GMT 1
Hi Danni, Its easy to do the wiring yourself if you know just a little about car electrics.
All you need to do is take an ignition controlled +ive 12v supply from the fuse box to one side of the reversing switch under the gearstick.
Then take another wire from the other side of the switch into the boot and connect it to both of your reversing light lamp holders.
These lamp holders should then be earthed to the car bodywork.
I would put an in-line fuse in between the fuse box and the switch with a 5 or 10 amp fuse in it just to be on the safe side.
Only bit to be careful with is the wires going to the switch should be well away from the exhaust pipe.
and its gotta be cheaper than paying a garage to do it for you!!!
jc
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danni432
1330cc
"they went thata way ->"
Posts: 963
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Post by danni432 on Dec 31, 2007 18:00:49 GMT 1
cheers for the advice jc  |
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Post by jc1380s on Jan 10, 2008 19:18:22 GMT 1
Hi Danni, after your recent success with the mini electrics, did you get the reversing lights to work jc |
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danni432
1330cc
"they went thata way ->"
Posts: 963
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Post by danni432 on Jan 11, 2008 1:03:10 GMT 1
still havent had the chance to use a jack at the mo jc! as lukes been using it on his mini alot. other wise id be right out there fixxing it lol maybe i sud just go for the lamp on the back ? but i wanted everything original to work |
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Post by jc1380s on Jan 11, 2008 14:09:00 GMT 1
After what you did with the wiper motor and CD player and Fuse box, you will find that, even if you have to rewire the fitted reversing lights completly, its not that much of a difficult job at all!
Once you test the switch out the rest is really easy.
Honest!
jc
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danni432
1330cc
"they went thata way ->"
Posts: 963
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Post by danni432 on Jan 11, 2008 18:58:17 GMT 1
will hopefully gte to look at it sometime this week :)ive got a weekend of fitting the dashboard i made and other nic nacs here n there then sorting out all my floor in the car to stop leaks and clean it up lol! just wish the weather wud be nice so i can have a proper look around the car |
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Post by jc1380s on Jan 11, 2008 19:06:53 GMT 1
Well done Danni "Girl power" to you big time ;D Spice girls would be proud of you ;D ;D ;D Hope you get some good weather jc |
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danni432
1330cc
"they went thata way ->"
Posts: 963
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Post by danni432 on Jan 11, 2008 19:10:35 GMT 1
damn right!girl power all the way ! lol! yeh same here i hate rain! and so does the mini |
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Post by jc1380s on Jan 11, 2008 19:14:10 GMT 1
Remember to spray yourself down with WD40 before going out in the rain ;D ;D ;D
You should be OK then!!!!!!!
Off for a cold shower now!!!!!!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
jc
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danni432
1330cc
"they went thata way ->"
Posts: 963
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Post by danni432 on Jan 11, 2008 23:45:03 GMT 1
i wont corrode then! i think i may aswell set up camp inside my mini!  ! |
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Post by jc1380s on Jan 11, 2008 23:50:45 GMT 1
Think you will have it sorted out long before then, judging by your past performance Danni! No problems!!!!! ;D jc |
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danni432
1330cc
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Posts: 963
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Post by danni432 on Jan 12, 2008 0:02:42 GMT 1
haha i hope so jc if i do ill be reversing all the way to the next meet! if not looks like ill listen to phil and ask u all to have a look while me and corina and everyone can watch while eating battyberg! |
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I seem to remember that the connections to that switch can corrode and break off. 
