| Author | Post |
|---|
taffy1967
Member
|
Posted: Thursday July 19th, 2007 08:39 pm |
|
Well I've got a query about the brand new O/E Wipac rear fog lamp that I fitted for the MOT (I got it from Somerford Mini Specialists who I have nothing but praise for and thoroughly recommend because their service was absolutely first class).
Anyway I nearly passed out because the connectors appeared different and I initially couldn't get it to connect to the terminals on the loom in the boot.
After having a sit down and a think I realised that the metal connectors could be gently opened up slightly with a small screwdriver and then they clipped together nice and snug and I had a working rear fog lamp again.
However just prior to the MOT test it failed, but I just needed to replace the 10amp in-line fuse to get it working again.
I guess the fact that those connectors don't have the plastic protective sleeves fitted (like the broken original) is probably to blame and they may have shorted out together or against the boot floor?
So has anyone else experienced a similar thing with a brand new Rover/Wipac fog lamp and I imagine wrapping them in electrical tape should help prevent it happening again?
Any suggestions greatly appreciated because I don't want to have to keep on replacing the fuse or create an electrical fire either!
Oh and my Mini is so happy after passing it's MOT and being used again which is just how it should be: -
 Last edited on Thursday July 19th, 2007 08:40 pm by taffy1967 |
taffy1967
Member
|
Posted: Thursday July 19th, 2007 08:46 pm |
|
And it's true to say that old Minis never die because they just get faster as I was back up that mountain in the background twice today.
First on my own and I was doing 80mph on the long section heading up before I knew it. But I slowed right down after spotting the carcass of a sheep that had obviously been hit by something travelling at great speed. In fact the poor beasts head was completely decapitated and I had to carefully drive around it.
As it happens there was a police car parked at the top so I reported it, but they knew and Highways was on to it. Thankfully it was gone on my return journey and I'll be watching my speed from now on too.
|
DaveShreeve
Administrator
|
Posted: Thursday July 19th, 2007 09:29 pm |
|
Taffy, checking parts catalogue from 2002, for 1990 on vehicles all lamps are shown as LEP not Wipac although illustration is Wipac. Checking the 3 I have, '92, '94, and '04, they're all LEP. Presume, from illustration, Wipac was an earlier fitting.
LEP all come with plastic insulated clip together connectors, I presume your Wipac is possibly using uninsulated bullets. No need to insulate black lead and if new lamp is using old style bullet I'd suggest removing connector and short length of wire from your old lamp, fitting bullet to end of wire, and connecting using a standard insulated bullet connector to lamp.
Good to see you're back on the road.
|
taffy1967
Member
|
Posted: Friday July 20th, 2007 05:22 pm |
|
Thanks Dave and I'll have to look into doing that, but I've checked again and the fog lamp is the one that Somerford supplies. They show either the Wipac or L.E. Perie plus a Seima alternative.
It looks virtually identical to the one that came off though, so it is possible that Wipac have changed the spec as just the wiring was different because it lacked the insulated bullet connectors.
http://www.somerford-mini.co.uk/pdfs/Catalogues/Electrical-Inst/11-Rear-Lamps-Interior-Lamps.pdf
I really don't mind though because they gave the best deal and service and it looks the same too. Much better than just making do with a cheap unit from my local motor factors anyway.
Good to see you're back on the road.
Thanks and we just need to have surgery now to remove the stupid grins from both our faces.  Last edited on Friday July 20th, 2007 05:36 pm by taffy1967 |
blickling
Member
|
Posted: Monday July 23rd, 2007 10:01 am |
|
Taffy,
Had a go at creating a Photobucket, so here goes nothing. 
Richard
|
blickling
Member
|
Posted: Monday July 23rd, 2007 10:04 am |
|
Well, that seemed to work after a fashion, so here are two more.
|
taffy1967
Member
|
Posted: Monday July 23rd, 2007 07:41 pm |
|
Oh my god that is absolutely awesome and so retro looking too.
Was it easy kitting it out with all the classic parts and stuff?
|
blickling
Member
|
Posted: Monday July 23rd, 2007 08:52 pm |
|
| Thanks Taffy, great to have positive feedback - makes it all worthwhile. It was quite easy, as it is all straightforward nuts & bolts jobs. The main problem was as ever time, as we had just had Patrick, so most work was very late evenings, or very early mornings. The 10" conversion is a doddle, and as I said when we had the topic about arches, they simply line up with the existing Rover holes (though you need to remove trim and the tank to fit them with SS bolts). That being said, the chrome trim is not easy to fit well. The centre binnacle was the worst job, especially the dash and A-pillar vinyl AND the water temperature gauge still does not work. All good fun though. Still need to get her tuned properly, as I fitted Stage 1 kit and I haven't the time to fiddle with timing etc. Richard
|
Gray
MCR Member
|
Posted: Monday July 23rd, 2007 10:19 pm |
|
Hey Richard, that dash vinyl went in great in the end. Retro works a treat!!
Gray
|
taffy1967
Member
|
Posted: Monday July 23rd, 2007 11:04 pm |
|
| Did you have to drill holes to get the central speedo surround pod to fit?
|
blickling
Member
|
Posted: Tuesday July 24th, 2007 05:22 am |
|
| Thanks Gray, the template was a great help. I wish I had taken a little more time over it though, as when re-positioning the vinyl, the impact adhesive 'rucked' ever so slightly in places and there are also very slight gaps where the upper dash and A-pillars meet (touched-in with matt black paint). Overall though pleased. Got the correct ash tray as well . Richard.
|
blickling
Member
|
Posted: Tuesday July 24th, 2007 05:35 am |
|
| No Taffy, the four (I think) captive nuts are there. The pod just fixes in place with the type of screw/bolt which secures the eye-ball vents. Fortunately, my car was re-shelled a number of years before I got her. Unfortunately, the garage who did the job roughly cut holes in the bulkhead for the heater pipes in just the wrong place for a traditional pod (it might be the correct position, but then I have not seen a Mainstream shell), so I re-routed them through the left-hand drive brake/clutch holes and had an alloy plate machined for them to go through via the usual grommets. Thing is though, other than its origins, with this and the other cosmetic changes I have made, my Mainstream is not really a proper one now. At least yours is true to her roots! Richard.
|
taffy1967
Member
|
Posted: Tuesday July 24th, 2007 03:45 pm |
|
I've heard about the heater pipes affecting the position of the traditional speedometer pod, so I'd say that yours was rebuilt correctly anyway.
And mine is just a tad modified too, even though it's beneath the surface (LCB, Exhaust, K&N Cone Filter & Adjustable Suspension mods etc) so it's hard to tell apart from that.
But given the choice during a complete rebuild and I'd find it hard to chose between original or going retro like yours.
So I'd have to toss a coin, but I'd love the retro look though because I've always wanted a Mini with the classic instruments. So I'd just add a rev counter too.
Last edited on Tuesday July 24th, 2007 03:46 pm by taffy1967 |
mk1leg
Member
|
Posted: Friday September 7th, 2007 09:46 pm |
|
Hi..!.. Richard loverley looking mini, Ihope mine will look as good next may...mk1leg
|
blickling
Member
|
Posted: Saturday September 8th, 2007 06:08 am |
|
| Hi there mk1leg. Thank you for your comments. I enjoyed your photobucket. One question though, what are the square/rectangular cut-outs in the rear valance for, Frenched-in or inset fogs? The Mainstream actually looked quite good for its year (apart from the doors). How do Mini's fare on Jersey? I would have thought that you were never that far from the salt-laden air of the coast. Last on the island in the 1970's when we had a Mini as a hire car! Keep up the good work. Best wishes, Richard.
|
Graham Bichard
Member
|
Posted: Tuesday September 11th, 2007 07:33 am |
|
Taffy,
Ref. the fog light, I bought mine from a stand at the Brooklands mini day last year. My car was imported from Germany (RHD though) so I needed to reposition the fog light on the other side.
When I came to fit it, when I removed the grommet I discovered all the wiring was in place already, so I now have twin rear fog lights! From memory they were bullet connectors (mine's a 99 MPI). And yes I'd isolate the wires! Electrical tape would do the trick but far better to try and get some shrink wrap and a heat gun if you can.
Blickling, agree with all the comments, very nice motor.
Is there a 'show us your motor' thread on the web site? Anyone fancy starting one?
|
mk1leg
Member
|
Posted: Tuesday September 11th, 2007 11:01 pm |
|
| Hi..!...blickling...those square holes are for home made fog/reverse lamps, now shell is back from spray shop I will post up pics when they are fitted for you to see...mk1leg
|
taffy1967
Member
|
Posted: Monday September 17th, 2007 05:53 pm |
|
Looking forward to seeing them buddy.
|
Current time is 11:37 pm | |
|
