How to clean up...

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 7:51 am

This...

Suggestions on a postcard

(Or rather, here

And no, I don't mean the photo. I'm sorry the quality is so poor - Cheap digital camera etc etc...

The fuse box is particularly ineresting, with the acc. circuit sometimes not working with the fuse isn't pushed in quite as it likes. We also experienced a similar problem about a month ago on the M1 in heavy rain: Hebe's wipers and indicators stopped, resulting in a mad dash for the Hard shoulder. A quick pop of the bonnet and opening the fusebox to take the fuse out, and replace again when I found it to be ok sorted the problem out...

Nikki

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 9:23 am

Give all the contacts a good clean up use fine wet and dry, emery board etc whatever fits /works best, the give it a spray with an ignition sealer type of spray and lastly get a replacement cover for the fuse box, yours is missing

, also check the fuse contact as these can become dirty as well.

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 9:29 am

Hi Kevin!

No, it's not missing: It was taken off for the purposes of the photo!

Nikki

Post by **57traveller** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 3:23 pm

I've had problems in the past with the brass fuse holders losing their "spring" and not "grabbing" the fuses tightly enough to make a good contact.

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 3:27 pm

Does anyone know if there is an alternative fuse box and regulator avialable which has a completely covered area for the connections? I was looking earlier on and it would seem a sensible thing to have...

Co-incidentally, I discovered that the person who had attempted and failed to install a heated rear window in Hebe some time in her past had simply wired the switch to the UNFUSED side of the circuit. Strikes me as being completely dumb and very dangerous, so it was moved post haste!

Post by **Cam** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 3:29 pm

A covered unit is not really needed. I agree it would perhaps be an improvement but all the others seem to manage ok.

With regard to unfused items, that does seem silly, but it's best not to delve too deeply into the Minor's electrical systems as things like the headlights are not fused either!!! If you have a look at the wiring diagram you just get VERY paranoid!!!

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 3:38 pm

True Cam!

I guess it's survived nearly 40 years without a cover!

With regard to the fuse- headlamps in my car have a seperate fuse attached to the loom!

My fuses are:

Main headlamps (in a little plastic in-line fuse holder)

Accsessories switched

and

Accessories unswitched

Your headlamps aren't fused at all?

Wow

Is this in all your cars, or just the '52? My minor is a '65 so I assumed it was a factory fit job.

Good Job Hebe's a daily worker and not a concours!

Nikki

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 4:28 pm

Mmm, my car seems to have a one extra fuse dangling out of the loom in one of those little fuse holders. I've always kind of ignored it.... I'm sure I'll know what it does when whatever it is stops working. Of course, then I'll forget that it exists. There's also an extra fuse for the radio on mine, I think it's actually fused twice that one, but hey, never mind

Post by **Cam** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 5:21 pm

That 'little' fuse in the separate in-line fuseholder is for the sidelights. The main headlamps (dipped and main beam) are not fused at all on ANY models!!

My '52 has not got the extra sidelight fuse (just the main 2) but it was my '69 4-door I was on about.

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 6:53 pm

Wow! Ok Cam, you're right. SCARY electrics!

I took the regulator off today (after taking some photos and numbering the leads so I knew where things went) and the connections are a darn site cleaner now.

Next week - the fuses!

Nikki

Post by **Willie** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 7:14 pm

It is quite common for the wipers to suddenly stop working
on a Minor until you agitate the fuses in their holders. Makes
no difference if there is a fuse box cover or not (the earlier models
NEVER had a cover anyway). Presumably it is oxidisation of the
fuse ends so it is good practice to agitate the fuses in their holders
regularly. You don't even have to remove the fuses, just agitate
them!

Post by **millerman** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 10:33 pm

Has anyone fitted the modern blade fuse holders in place of the original Minor fuse holder. It would seem a sensble upgrade to get rid of those fuse problems once and for all!! Unless anyone knows differently

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 9:30 am

modern balde fuses will be no more reliable unless you get them in a hermetically sealed box (approx IP54 or above).
Modern cars use completely sealed connectors most cars pre the early 80's will be pretty similar to the Minor - damp can get to the connections and eventually they can go open circuit.
As mentioned already - giving the fuses a good wiggle at the service interval is useful and it avoids having to do it in a rushhour que or on the hardshoulder instead.

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 12:39 pm

a good wiggle at the service interval is useful

I bet it is