We've got factory chrome rally lights on our 2007 Cooper S. Unlike the Mini kit's I've seen they do not have a switch on the dash but come on with our high beams.

Anyway, I noticed they weren't working yesterday. Checked the fuse under the glovebox and was blown. Tried a new 15A fuse and it blew instantly.

I unplugged both lights and turned the high beams on again, with a 25A fuse in place (I didn't have another spare 15A one).

Fuse was fine, so the wiring to the plugs is OK.

Plugged in left hand light and turned lights on. It lit up!

Unplugged left, and plugged in right hand light - didn't come on, but fuse OK.

Plugged in both lights - neither came on and fuse OK.

Unplugged right hand, left hand one still connected and tested right side wiring with multimeter. 12V at plug. Tested right hand light for continuity at plug - tested OK. Bulb looks fine.

Am at a bit of an impass. Suggestions welcome. I've just got the one working light plugged in now.

I tried opening the right hand light but I couldn't fully unclip the back cover. Felt like it might break if I forced it any more. Any tips on unclipping it all the way?

The left hand light's mounting bolt is just rotating the so-called captive nut, so i can't remove both of the lights and swap sides to see if the problem moves. I'll try epoxying the nut in place to try to be able to remove the light assembly from the mount.

In other news the new valve cover, high pressure fuel pump and water pump I installed this week have got the car back to its old self :-) It's getting old now but has only done 70,000km.

 

Solved! I finally managed to get the backing off the light yesterday. The bulb had an internal wiring fault, so just replaced it.

Would love to replace the lenses as they are cloudy on the inside but am not sure I'm up for smashing the current lenses to get them out.

 

All the info here on the lenses

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-question.html

 

Thanks :-) I'm going to try wiping away the cloudiness through the bulb hole. If that doesn't work I'll think about getting brave!

 

Ok, I think if its a film you can get it. If not let me know.