You need to measure everything referenced back to the battery, especially
when looking for earth faults.
This may be fun if the battery is in the boot, just extend one meter lead
with some cable, doesn't need to be thick as you are only measuring voltage.
First you need to work out if the bulb is dim because of a poor earth or
poor feed.
Measure between the bulb positive wire and the battery negative terminal, it
should be close to the battery voltage.
Then measure between the bulb negative terminal (either dip or main, is it
dim on both ?) and the battery negative terminal, you should have almost
zero volts, certainly less than 0.5v
If both the above are ok then the fault is in the bulb holder !
Once you now know if the fault is in the feed circuit or the earth circuit
you can work your way back towards the battery.
Leave one lead of the meter connected to the battery negative.
If the fault was in the feed then work towards the light switch and then
fuses (they may be in the other order) looking for an increase in the
voltage.
If the fault was in the ground then work towards the common ground of the
wiring, probably in the engine bay somewhere on a ring tag.
It's possible the earth is even through the headlight housing itself.
Jim
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Paul" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 10:26 AM
To: "Quantum Owners Group" <[email protected]>
Subject: [Quantum Owners] Earth fault
Hi there can any one give me some ideas
It is the wifes Mini ( proper mini not BMW). The car been have battery
trouble for most of its life from information for the last owner and
trouble we have had when it is stood up for a while. The car has been
off the road for some months due to welding, which is all sorted now.
But when i charged the battery up and connected it all together
various items did not work, well after much checking with the meter i
now have all items except the fog light working (not a fuse problem as
other items on the circuit are working, lamp also OK), but the off
side front head and side light is dim while the near side is full
brightness. I have been round and checked and cleaned all the earth
points i can find and checked continuity is ok from the lights, engine
and colum stalks. For some time the red igntion light comes on but
this seems to better since changing the altinator. Is there some
system or logic i should follow to try and fix this this?
Thanks in advance.
Paul
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