Interior/Exterior Interior and exterior modifications for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Interior/Exterior Help with Hella 500s (they won't light)

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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 05:11 PM
  #1  
RonP's Avatar
RonP
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Help with Hella 500s (they won't light)

I've wired everything up per the directions less the wire to the high-beams, I want the lights to run solo. But, even if I run a 12v wire off the battery to the switch instead of off the high-beams they don't light. Everything else is wire exactly per the directions. I ran the 12v connection directly off the + battery post.

Any tips on wiring these up without using the high-beam connection?

Thanks!
 
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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 05:29 PM
  #2  
billie_morini's Avatar
billie_morini
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Are the bulbs truly grounded? I know it sounds like a silly question, but I've rescued more than one friend that installed various lights on their motorcycles and cars. More often than not, there was no ground.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 05:46 PM
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kapps
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From: Orlando, FL
The +12V power AND turn-on lead are connected to the battery post?
 
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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 05:49 PM
  #4  
RonP's Avatar
RonP
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I'll double check all grounds.

Yes, the turn-on lead and power are connected to the battery post.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 06:13 PM
  #5  
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HBoom
Coordinator :: Houston MINI Motoring Society
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From: Houston, TX
Just curious if the lights came with a switch included in the package?

I spent half a night fooling around with a different (better looking switches) only to find out the original switch (ugly as it was) when connected to the lighting harness/relay worked like a champ......

Just a thought - if you haven't tried using all the OEM equipment provided. There was something "magic" in the "ugly switch" which lit my lights right up. Bugged the !@#$% out of me, but they work great.

Hope it works for you too !
 
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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 08:19 PM
  #6  
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Kendel72
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From: Dallas, NC
Curious as to what you paid for them, I have a guy who is trying to sell me a set that is slightly used for $50
 
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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 08:57 PM
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kenchan
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im running the 520's... the trigger wire is connected to a switched fuse
in the fusebox by the driver side foot well. the lights themselves are
getting power from the fusebox (+) under the bonnet, running the PIAA
wireharness with relay. The circuit is grounded at the strut tower nut.

it was a very straight forward install.. the biggest pita was trimming
the aero grill to make the bracket fit.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 10:30 PM
  #8  
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RonP
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Curious as to what you paid for them, I have a guy who is trying to sell me a set that is slightly used for $50
$62.88 @ Walmart.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 10:48 PM
  #9  
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XAlfa
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From: Berkeley, CA
Originally Posted by kenchan
im running the 520's...
Correction: 540's
 
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Old Jun 2, 2006 | 09:08 AM
  #10  
Outbackbob's Avatar
Outbackbob
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Medford, Or
Originally Posted by RonP
I've wired everything up per the directions less the wire to the high-beams, I want the lights to run solo. But, even if I run a 12v wire off the battery to the switch instead of off the high-beams they don't light. Everything else is wire exactly per the directions. I ran the 12v connection directly off the + battery post.

Any tips on wiring these up without using the high-beam connection?

Thanks!
Are you using the relay switch? If so run the wire that normally goes to the high beams to a switched fuse tap and see if that works.
If you just want direct switch (no relay) just run the hot side of the light to a simple toggle switch then to the battery with an inline fuse and make sure the lights are grounded preferably at the body not in the hood area.
Just remember to turn them off when you get out of the car.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2006 | 10:22 AM
  #11  
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kenchan
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Originally Posted by XAlfa
Correction: 540's

i know where you live.


jk yep, 540's. typo.
 
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