[tvheadhunter]

I have just bought the Hella Lights for my 2005 MCS, but the instructions only apply to the cooper and the one. Does anyone have any experience with connecting them to an MCS. It seems like the biggest difference is the connection to the battery which is now at the back rather than the front.

Thanks

[moorlockx]

As the MINI instructions cover both models, I don't think you'll find a big difference in installation. The power line can be routed to the main fuse box instead of going directly to the battery. If you pull the box cover you'll find a heavy lug at the back of the box where the main power cable attaches. This is an ideal spot to hook into.

[tvheadhunter]

Thanks.

...and where should I connect the black (negative) cable.

[cozzers]

Quote: Originally Posted by tvheadhunter

I have just bought the Hella Lights for my 2005 MCS, but the instructions only apply to the cooper and the one. Does anyone have any experience with connecting them to an MCS. It seems like the biggest difference is the connection to the battery which is now at the back rather than the front.

Thanks

Hello

Did you ever have any success with this? I've just bought myself a pair. Bit worried they might not fit now! But where there's a will etc...

[mikeythemini]

I have fitted some to an S, the only difference being the battery connection as far as I can tell

[DUCTTAPE]

There is a hot lead on the S under the bonnet. From memory, about center compartment, towards the firewall. I think there is a plasticlid with a big + on it. You can hook right into that.

For a neg., find any bolt that goes to body metal.

The repair manual (sorry, pre-coffee, I forget the name. The BIG one) shows all the grounds, and if you ask your service tech he might print out a diagram for you too.

It took some doing, mostly to get it right, neat and convenient, but now that I am wired correctly, it was worth it. Having the dealer hook up to high beams on only sucked.

d

[cozzers]

Hi, having read the instructions now and identified where the connections should go I though it would be plain sailing from now on.

However! I'm having real trouble getting the brackets to fit now. Firstly I can't get the supplied securing clip over the grill, it just won't fit over the metal of the bonnet and the plastic of the grill.

And secondly the supplied screws won't fit into the bracket without extreme force because the holes on the bracket are not threaded and the screws supplied are fairly low quality. I can probably fix this with a trip to the DIY store, but I not sure about the securing clips....any ideas!?!?!

[Hat]

here's some pics of my install, done by mikeythemini. when i played around with them at home i noticed the fixing bolts wouldn't fit into the little plates, they were both threaded but were a different size to the bolts

hope you can see what you need from these - if not let me know & i'll take some from a different angle tomorrow

[cozzers]

Thanks Hat!

That's a really big help. I didn't think I'd ever get the supplied screws through the holes so I bought some smaller nuts & bolts yesterday which seem to fit fine. From the pictures it doesn't look like Mikey has used the clips either. I wonder if this is because the 2005 grill is different?

Frustratingly there isn't enough daylight for me to fit these until next weekend now but when I get round to it I'll either:

(a) Post some pics of my shiny new lights
or
(b) Be back here begging for help!

Super looking car BTW Hat! Mrs Cozzers is on at me now to order a PW/PW MINI!!

[Hat]

i think he just put the clips at the back to use to screw into rather than clipping them over the metal lip. Sorry about making you missus jealous

[cozzers]

Hat

Do you know where your relay box for the lights is fitted? I've got everything else sorted now except for this.

The instructions say to put it in that bit in the top corner with the rubber seal around it (God, I'm so technical sometimes! ) but there's just no room unless I put it in upside down with the connections pointing upwards and I guess exposing them like this is a bad idea.

Also, is your green wire spliced into the Near, or Offside headlight?

Grateful for your help

Thanks


PS Have got the lights fitted on in 'dummy mode' at the moment and they look fantastic, glad I didn't go for the OEM's

[Hat]

just been out to the carpark with the office digicam The first 2 pics show the relay mounted so the wires can pass through the same hole as the main headlight wiring. The 3rd pic shows the green wire spliced into the dirvers side headlight which is the one nearest to the relay.

[Hat]

ps isn't modern technology wonderful sometimes - take a pic & show it to the world in 10 minutes

[cozzers]

WOW! Thanks a lot mate, that's what I call service!

Those pics are really really helpful. I'll definitely be able to finish the job at the weekend now and will post pics when I do.

Thanks again

[mikeythemini]

Hello peeps
I chop the clips down so they a single skin then push them between the metal & plastic. Nice & secure . I am sure there is no way of gettin the full clip in.
The relay is on an existing stud

[cozzers]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini

Hello peeps
I chop the clips down so they a single skin then push them between the metal & plastic. Nice & secure . I am sure there is no way of gettin the full clip in.
The relay is on an existing stud

Thanks for that. I chopped the clips in half too and used them on the top side of the grill. I don't know why they don't fit but perhaps it's the difference between the old and the new grill? Anyway, almost complete now!!

[cozzers]

Right then...despite the snow and biting wind I thought I was making some good progress in finally wiring these lights up.

I ran the wires down to the relay and then spliced the green wire into the blue/yellow wire as per the Hella instructions. I then hooked up the red postive wire to the 'Batt' terminal (MCS) and found a suitable grounding point for the black negative wire. All looking good so far, so I connected the lamps for a quick test before finishing off. And lo and behold...NOTHING Not a flicker

So what did I do wrong?...Beat's me!

I have a few things to double check tomorrow, like making sure all the connections are secure but I'm running out of ideas after that, so if anyone can offer any tips then PLEASE do let me know.

Also, I am right in thinking that the black negative lead can connect to any part of the body in substitute of a negative battery connection, aren't I?

Thanks

[Hat]

you did put the bulbs in?

just asking..

[cozzers]

DON'T PANIC!!! THE LIGHTS WENT LIVE 10 MINUTES AGO!!!

It was the splicing at fault. The splicing clip hadn't cut through the green wire hence no power. All fixed up now and looking great!!

I've taken a few 'work in progress' photos which I'll post up here when I'm back in work (and have nothing better to do ) But in the meantime I'll be happy to share my 'knowledge' with anyone else who attempting a DIY install of these lights...If you are doing it yourself then don't be put off by this thread as it is actually quite easy

Plus, you could always ask Hat who's help has been invaluable, especially with useful hints like this...

Quote: Originally Posted by Hat

you did put the bulbs in?

just asking..

Thanks Hat

[Hat]

welcome glad you managed to get them sorted