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While waiting on the M/C tank, I moved onto installing the newly painted bumper cover and lights. which resulted in some [possibly dumb] questions.
#1
I installed LED taillights with the included resister. The resister came with double edge tape for mounting which is not a good idea. They can get pretty hot so I drilled the mounting hole out a little and screwed them to the inner fender for better heat dissipation.
I had originally bought a blacked out LED side marker lamp,[top of fender where the "S" is, supposed to blink with the signals] but got Hyper-flash, as that did not have a resister. I didn't see a really neat way or place to install a resister on them and ditched them, [free to whoever responds first then send a padded envelope with postage. P.M me]
I got some side marker lenses [ at the top of the fender where the "S" is located] that I liked well enough and decided to just go with the incandescent bulbs. I "thought" when I switched out the LED side markers for the incandescent [about 2 months ago] , the Hyper-Flash went away. [The front lights are incandescent.]
But, when I hooked things up tonight it was back.
Any thoughts as to why I would get Hyper-flash with only the taillights being LED but having a resister?
I also have LED in the front and rear fender flares but that should have no effect as to my knowledge, they don't flash. Is that correct?
#2 When do the lower front lamps come on? Unless both of mine are burnt out, [and they don't look to be] no matter what I do they don't light. Before I start a lot of trouble shooting, when are they supposed to come on and what switches them?
#3 What do the 2 switches with "light symbols" in the lower center of the dash do ? They seem to be momentary switches, but I don't see what they do.
The owners manual, [Ebay] isn't very clear.
Forgive my ignorance. I've had "Blue Car" for 5 months but drove it only from my neighbors to my house, about 1000 feet...
For clarification, photos with the same questions are below.
Thanks so much,
robj
LED taillight.
Mounted rear ballast resisters, [one for each lamp]
LED Side marker I'm not using, lens cover for incandescent I am using. [LED free to first response]
What switches the lower front lights on?
Bulb and socket from lower front lamps. Bulb looks good to me.
And last but not least, what do these switches do?
The toggle next to the window switch should light the front fogs (lower front) when the parking lights or low beams are on. The toggle to the left of that switch is for the red rear fog. Front toggle should be amber when on and the rear green.
Sometimes people add a full switch bank with the rear fog toggle without the rear fog. If you have an ‘05 or later it’s the red light above the exhaust tips where the backup light was on the earlier cars.
The switches are momentary and act like latching switches. I think toggling them either way will turn them on and off, not necessarily one way for on and the other for off.
So the lowest front lights are considered fog lights then? Thanks, I'll check that out when I get back to the shop today. You may have answered 2 of my questions.
Mine originally had the aux. fog lights on a bracket through the grill but I think they were controlled by a switch on the panel to the left of the steering column. They were so rusted away I removed them. [light shell was rusted away, brackets were fine]
Anyone have any thoughts/solution for having turn signal hyper-flash despite having a resister on both?
Mine originally had the aux. for lights on a bracket through the grill but I think they were controlled by a switch on the panel to the left of the steering column. They were so rusted away I removed them.
Those are aux driving lights, not the fog lights. Two different things. The aux driving lights brackets and supports are actually desireable so don't throw them away. The left side switch and wiring through the dash is also part of the factory kit (assuming it is real Mini). Also desireable.
Front and rear fogs with aux driving lights among other things we have noted. You have one well optioned car.
Those are aux driving lights, not the fog lights. Two different things. The aux driving lights brackets and supports are actually desireable so don't throw them away. The left side switch and wiring through the dash is also part of the factory kit (assuming it is real Mini). Also desireable.
Front and rear fogs with aux driving lights among other things we have noted. You have one well optioned car.
Thanks Steve,
I was going to ditch them but actually bought some yellow fog lights and sandblasted/ painted the brackets last night. The lights I got are a little large but then I looked at photos of rally cars from years past and maybe they'll be ok. I'm pretty sure they are OEM Mini installation. I think they were dealer installed item.
As to the Hyper-flash, I looked at my earlier post [below-"related post"] and my recollection was correct. When I ditched the LED side markers and had only the LED rear lights with the resister the hyper-flash went away.
I'm a little stumped as to why it's now back. I can't seem to find the adapter wire for one of the lights on the fender arch, but I don't see how that would affect the turn signals, considering it's not even on.
