Exterior 2nd Gen Driving lights on 2013 Roadster. help?

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by rum4, Dec 1, 2013.

  1. rum4

    rum4 Club Coordinator
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    Installing Hella 500's on wife's 2013 Roadster but having a difficult time finding which wire to the Bi-Xenon headlight is the one that works the brights. She only wants them hooked up to come on with the brights. What type of tester do I need to accomplish this so I know I am connecting into the correct wire? or does someone know which wire it is?

    Thanks
     
  2. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    No pictures Rick, but I'm sure they would look great. MINIs love driving lights. :D
     
  3. rum4

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    no pictures yet due to having wiring issues with finding the correct write to tap into
     
  4. Crashton

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    You can use a test light. Pull the connection & start testing wires to see which one is switched with the high beam. Make sure to use a relay & use a fuse. Having those lights hooked into the high beams is a good idea.

    Whose mounts are you using?
     
  5. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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  6. rum4

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    using VIPs.

    Thanks Jim
     
  7. rum4

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    ok got the oem wiring harness and got it installed but the driving lights don't work. Rechecked all connections (x2), checked all lights and fuses. When I turn the switch on the dash it lights and the little green light comes on. When I flip the high beams on the driving lights do not come on?????
     
  8. Dave.0

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    Hey Rick check the bulbs without having them connected to the wiring you installed. You may have a grounding issue or loose connection in the lamp itself.

    I would test them by disconnecting them and run test + wire and ground to your battery.

    If they light then you know it's the wiring somewhere upstream. I would use a test light and make sure the + is getting power when you hit the switch. Pit one end of your test light on the switched + wire and ground to frame (not the - line from your wiring harness.

    If you have power test the ground by moving your ground from you frame to the ground wire in your harness. If the test light does not come on you have a bad ground or misfired relay.

    If you need a test light you can get them a NAPA, Pep-Boys and even Sears.

    Hope that helps buddy, let me know if you need help.
     
  9. rum4

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    The lamps work but I have no power at the + that connects to the lights.

    I wonder if the relay is bad. When I turn the bright lights on the driving lights should come on. I did check the + with the brights on but the driving lights did not come on.

    I followed the direction but I guess I should have left this to dealer, Way or someone who knows exactly what the heck they are doing. It just did not seem that hard reading about it.
     
  10. Dave.0

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    Ok try checking the relay? You should have power and ground on it at all times. One more pole will be switched on when the lights are turned on. Also if you can hold the relay in your hand you will feel it move when triggered.

    Try checking the feed where you are getting power from.

    See below:
     

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  11. rum4

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    I don't feel anything when holding the relay and switching the high and low beam.

    I am getting power from where the harness is hooked up.

    I am using the OEM harness and the instructions are here. http://www.outmotoring.com/images/how_to/MIN_R56_aux_lights.PDF

    Thanks for your help. Sorry to keep asking on New Years Eve night.
     
  12. Dave.0

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    No problem Rick I am just chilling out tonight 1/2 watching BS TV.

    Those instructions look good. I would try following the power (+) line with a test light. Make sure you test each side of each connection and any fuses. I have seen factory crimps fail inside a connector. Power going in one side but but coming out the other side.

    ** Oh and make sure the car is running and test the lights, not just key on, some cars do not allow aux lights to be powered on without the car running. I looked at a light issue for 2 hours and found out much later the car needed to be running for the power to the relay to work. :mad2:
     
  13. rum4

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    Again Thanks.

    I have tested it every time with it running and switching the low and high beams with no luck. Tested with the light tester to no avail. I am lost right now with it but going to bed, it can wait.
     
  14. Dave.0

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    Good idea, take a greasy look at it in the morning.
     
  15. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    Rick, I followed the VIP instructions and used their harness. It all went fine, so I'm not sure what happened. Did you make the correct connection at the head light for the high beam? I connected the hot lead to the power point in the fuse box on driver's side, under the bonnet. I did not go through the fire wall, to connection in foot well, like OEM.
     
  16. Crashton

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    Rick - If you are not hearing the relay click or feeling it when holding it I'd suspect that it's bad. I've had brand new relays arrive DOA.
     

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