So to skip all the details prior to now I just hooked up 4 driving lamps to my Mini to go on with the high beams. they are fused and set up with a relay, using the high beams to switch them. The problem is that turning them on nearly kills all the electrical power in the car. Ought I to look at getting a better battery? A better alternator? I know the light worked in pairs w/o killing the electrical on it so I am unsure of what to look for.

Here is a thread with more details if you really want to know. http://www.sunshineminis.org/forums/...pic.php?t=6452

 

Sounds like 1 pair you are on the edge but ok
but 2 pair = too many amps
that's my guess - which would indicate a bigger alternator is req'd - but I'd check it out b4 I started changing things.

If what I guess is right - a big battery will cover the problem but you really don'e want to be drawing off the battery for the lights do you? Somewhere down the road the battery will go kaput and then where are you? You want to get back to where you generate more juice that you consume - and thereby charge rather than drain the battery.

 

Now for why the same thing happened from the wash from a puddle going up into the left wheel well. I may be running entirely new wires for that side headlamp it seems.

 

have you looked into just replacing the entire harness? A couple of hundred bucks will buy you a new harness - completely labled. These cars are so basic that there really ain't all that much to pulling a new harness.

I have not done it - but got pretty close when I had problems. Things still crap out when I get caught in the rain - but I try to avoid the rain :-)

From your 'left rear tire well' comment - Hellloooooo Mr Lucas - you have a ground......probably in the connections to the left tail light caused by water intrusion (or the side marker if you have those)....question is where is the water getting in?

 

Lance,how about a trip to the Largo Tijuana Flats tomorrow afternoon? I know of a great alternator shop that could check it out and or rebuild the alternator if needed. They won't tell you it needs to be replaced or rebuilt if it doesn't need to be. The shop is near the VA hospital in Seminole.

 

Allright I'm game.

I would love to take a trip to TF and an alternator shop with ya!

Gimme a ring please and we can coordinate it.

 

Oh, and on the wiring harness, that is on the to do list come next summer when I strip her to the paint, do the clamshell front end, and repaint her. I will be assembling her with a brand new harness with any modifications needed for the bonnet and anything else not quite standard I am doing.

 

Deleted original post, I didn't realize I was in the wrong forum, sorry.
Check Optima batteries btw, as well as getting your alternator checked.

 

Maybe you could save some money on the harness and just replace the Lucas smoke that might of escaped ?,

 

Ok, new issue.

I had my stereo installed and if you turn ON the hazard lights it kills the radio........

I am hoping it is a symptom of needing more power not more insane wiring issues.

 

Sounds like they wired in to the wrong power source, I have 80/100 watt headlights, A/C, stereo, XM sattelite, and I can run everything without any problems and still using the stock alternator,

 

have you checked your alt. belt? maybe it's little loose and will slip when you go though puddles. aslo maybe you should do a GM alt. swap using the altenator out of any older V-8 vehicle. i have wiring diagrams and wire color charts in the tech section on my website : http://joltfreak.tripod.com