Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi, can anyone suggest something to which I can brighten up my morris cabin when its dark?
I ask this as I have just been out in it and the inside of the car is pitch black, the speedo has no lights. the only bit of light i do get is when the indicator is on!

Any ideas would be appreciated.!

Is there a little slide switch on the underside of the dash below the speedo? That should control whether the panel lights come on with the headlights or not.

Hi, under the speedo i have one push button for my washer jets, the next does the wipers and the i have one more that does the car lights and thats all, i do however have a little switch under the heater?? very small flick switch??

On mine it's on the bottom of the dash below the lights/wipers/choke/starter etc. and it's a slide switch not a toggle switch. You might not be able to see it from above as it's hidden under the edge.

oooh, i will have to have a little look and see!!

Nah, just had a look, it may be the toggle switch but it may just be the bulb that has gone, will have to check it out!

More than one bulb involved - could be loose wiring. Should be on with the sidelights. Very few ever switch it off - I suppose the idea was to minimise current drain when parked up!

gordiechris,
No idea which model of Minor you have but all Minor 1000's should have the small slide switch under the dash (pointing towards the floor). This will diosconnect the dash lights from the sidelight circuit.
If the switch makes no difference, you've got a wiring problem (or you've not turned the sidelights on ;-) )

If the speedo is dark & the switch makes no difference then chances are both bulbs (there are two in the sppedo) have blown. Often one goes & nobody bothers to fix it, then the other goes a few years later & lo, no light. Access to replace is simple, insert cross head screwdriver through holes in side on glove boxes and LOOSEN (not remove) speedo retaining screws. Pull speedo forwards. Buld holder each side pulls out to reveal bulb - you can at least now test the lamps. The ones you need have red or red/white wires, the others are for oil pressure/filter, ignition, & high beam.

the only bit of light i do get is when the indicator is on!

I assume your interior light works when you get into the car.

I think both my early cars have the switch under the dash too.

Hi sorry for the delay, yes my interior light works and so does the high beam, ignition and oil light, there is definatly no slider switch anywhere but as i say there is a toggle switch place right under the heater.
will take speedo out today and have a look.

There should be a little slider switch - tucked under the dash just to the left of the steering column - unless someone has removed it in the past. It's not so easy to take the speedo out - may be wise to disconnect the battery first in case of shorts!!

your car should definatly have the slide switch, unless someone has SERIOUSLY mucked about. Since a picture speaks 1000 words, I have knocked up a quick pic just to make sure that you know where you are looking.


I need a decent graphics editor............

The switch at the bottom of the heater if to turn on the blower fan, try it when
the ignition is turned on and the fan should start. Your car would certainly have had the little slider switch for the speedo illumination so, if you cannot see the little slider knob poking downwards you should at least be able to find
the elongated slot through which the knob used to protrude! That will at least
prove that the original switch has been removed, have a look with a torch.