QuestionQUESTION: Dear Mr. Jones:
Hello. I've two perhaps related questions. First, my brake lights don't work. All my running lights work, but my when I push the brake pedal, the brake lights don't come on. The other day they came on for a minute, completely randomly, but when I drove for fifteen minutes and returned home they didn't work again. Strange indeed.
Also, I've read on one discussion forum that I need to use amps rated 17/35, or 17 amps that blow at 35. Where can I find these? I checked Moss, but they seem to list only 35 amp fuses, are those the same?
I'm also thinking of putting in some relays and inline fuses or something to help with some electrical issues I've seen others discussing. Is this a good idea, or should I just wait and see?
Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your expertise.
David
ANSWER: Hi David. The fact that both the brake lights are failing, and that other circuits are still working (eg the wipers and turn indicators) tells me that your fuses are all OK. A failed fuse would affect more than just the brake lights. The fuses used to have one rating - the current at which they blow. So, your fuses are 35 Amp blow rating. More modern fuses have two figures, the continuous current that they will accept, and a higher figure at which they blow. Typically, fuses do not like to run continuously at more than 50% of their blow rating, so a 17/35 Amp fuse is the correct one for your Midget.
I think the brake light switch is beginning to fail on your car. It is a hydraulic switch located on the bulkhead near the master cylinder. Look at this link:
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29302
The part number you require is #46.
It is just possible that there is a loose wire, so before you replace the switch, check all the electrical connectors first. The wire will be Green with a Purple stripe.
The Midget wiring is very simple and perfectly adequate, so unless you have made some changes (such as fitting twin fog lights or air horns) there is no advantage in fitting any relays or extra fuses. Wait and see.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I was just thinking that I installed halogen headlights two weeks ago.
Do you think this could be a problem or a reason to install a relay?
Hmmm...
AnswerHi David. Please note the warning that I have added at the end.
So long as you have installed regular Halogen bulbs rated at 60/55 Watts, there will be no increase in current, so the existing wiring should be OK.
If you have installed uprated 100 Watt bulbs, then you will overload the lighting switch and the wiring to the headlamps, so you should install a relay to protect the switch, and you should run thicker wire to the headlamps (including the earth return wires).
The lighting switch on the Midget is a bit marginal, and it does deteriorate with age, so I would fit a replacement lighting switch as well.
/=========== WARNING ==========/
Please remember that the wiring to the light switch is permanently live, there is no protective fuse, and the dashboard is made of metal. Therefore, you MUST disconnect the battery before you remove the light switch from the dashboard, or else you could burn out the wiring loom.
