Courtesy Light

[MorrisJohn]

I removed my courtesy light to investigate why it doesn’t work. I believe there are some internal parts missing. Can anyone confirm what parts are missing so I know what to look for?

Alternatively I’ll keep my eye out for a full replacement light.

The car is a ‘57 Minor 1000.

[ManyMinors]

I believe that to be strictly correct, that is simply an interior light. The courtesy light is fitted to the later cars and lights up when the front doors are opened. They require 3 wiring connections rather than the 2 which your light has. On the photo you show, there seems to be no connection to the base of the bulb and without that the bulb cannot light. As you say, it is probably best to try a few specialists and find a complete secondhand light of the correct type. The one in your picture does look the correct type for a car of that age.

[MorrisJohn]

Thank you, I didn’t realise it was simply an internal on/off light. I just assumed it would work with the doors opening like on the later cars.

I will keep my eyes peeled for another complete unit.

[geoberni]

Well the first question to ask is, Are there any door switches. Because if there aren't, then it isn't going to be connected to the doors.

Second question is , are there only 2 wires, because that's all you need for a manually operated interior lamp. I think the early Series 3 were only manually operated.

But you do have the centre contact missing.

See the part catalogue illustration:

lamp.JPG (30.87 KiB) Viewed 1503 times

Yours was two parts, item 29, the latter ones were single item, 32.
From your photo, I can't tell how the switch operates, I would expect a connection somehow to the moving lever.
I can tell you it does not earth via the metal body, but via the black cable. I don't know if they switched the Live or the earth as it isn't shown on the diagram and i don't have one in my SII.

[MorrisJohn]

Thanks Berni. I can’t say I’ve ever paid any attention to whether there are door switches. I’ll need to check to be sure, but I don’t think there are.

I’ll keep it original. I’ve found someone that has a few spare Minor interior lights. I will send him a photo of mine and hopefully he has an identical (but complete) one that I can fit.

[ManyMinors]

If your car is a 1957 model it will not originally have had courtesy light switches operated by the doors.
You just need to obtain a replacement light of the same type. It'll probably have to be a secondhand one as I don't think that type will be available new.

[geoberni]

I've found this old post here that illustrates the 3 wire version of your light, but I'm damned if I can work out how the thing is connected from the photos. The switch just seems to connect the frame to the bulb earth/outer....
I'm sure it makes sense if you have it in your hands and can see what actually connects where....
viewtopic.php?t=52434#p495252

[ManyMinors]

Probably the live is connected permanently and the switch completes the earth side then? The light is screwed to a wooden panel so requires an earth cable.
I couldn't see an interior light in your link

[Sleeper]

Some info here

viewtopic.php?t=52434

John ;-)

[geoberni]

Probably the live is connected permanently and the switch completes the earth side then? The light is screwed to a wooden panel so requires an earth cable.
I couldn't see an interior light in your link

Don't you just hate it when 'Copy' doesn't and you end up Pasting the wrong link.

I've changed it now, but it's the same Link Sleeper posted.

[ManyMinors]

Haha, that's better. The OP's light should be simpler to wire up because his car, not having door switches, will only have the 2 wires. One live and one earth. Easy

[geoberni]

From what I can see of MorrisJohn's lamp, the bit that is missing (B) is the key item.

As the lamp assembly is screwed into a Wooden Base, it's insulated from the body.

With a permanent Live on A, then if Part B were there, I believe it would have a metal contact sticking down such that the switch lever could be moved across and connect the Frame to the Contact B, thus providing the Earth Path.

On a latter car with door switches, then connection C, direct to the Frame, would Earth via the Door switch.

lamp A.jpg (34.2 KiB) Viewed 1343 times

If these lamps are no longer available, then if the rest of the Lamp Assy is in reasonable condition, I don't think it would take long to fabricate a replacement Pt.B

[Sleeper]

From the photo , looks like part A ? and B.

John ;-)

[geoberni]

From the photo , looks like part A ? and B.

John ;-)

Part A has the lamp base contact missing, which is a simple solder on of a bit of brass or other non ferrous conductor, out of an old broken Torch or kids toy etc, even an old lamp for a Minor.
A 10 minute job.

Part B however is missing completely, so would need a square of insulating material, e.g. hard plastic and a electrical contact, the complete assembly then attached where the 2 rivets are.
Perhaps an hour if the right bits and bobs are laying around.

[MorrisJohn]

Found someone that has a complete spare one. They’re asking £40 inc postage for it though. Seems a bit steep to me?

[ManyMinors]

Sounds ridiculous!
Try a few other specialists would be my advice - particularly as you only need the base.

[MorrisJohn]

Sounds ridiculous!
Try a few other specialists would be my advice - particularly as you only need the base.

Glad it’s not just me! I think the seller has priced it high as I contacted him speculatively through eBay so he knew I wanted it.

Yes, I shall ring around and also give club spares a try.

[jagnut66]

Here's the link:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185298865182 ... SwhX5iDWn3
And here is a later one from a main supplier for price comparison:
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/elect ... pe-p829891
Of course (if they were in stock) you would have to add postage to this. So about the same price in the end. You could try offering him £32 to bring it into line with the later one.

As an aside, here is a pair of the door switches mentioned above:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173547527230 ... SwD89bpNRE
Best wishes,
Mike.

[MorrisJohn]

Thanks Mike. Club spares to the rescue!

[ManyMinors]

Most Ebay sellers seem to be expensive sources of car parts now - because people still believe that ebay is where the bargains are - or they can't be bothered to search elsewhere. I have generally bought my parts from specialists for much less than asking prices on ebay