Switch for driving lights?

9291 Views 24 Replies 16 Participants Last post by mburchill, Aug 11, 2004

Keith

Discussion Starter · Apr 14, 2002

I heard that a hole gets drilled somwhere and a new switch gets added for the add-on driving lights rather than using a toggle switch. Is this true? Maybe someone who has the driving lights added could tell us where their switch is.

[Originally posted this question under "daytime driving lights" thread without using enough brain cells to know that was the wrong place!]

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

Fallschirmjeager

· #2 · Apr 14, 2002

I hadn't thought about it either, but if you have a fully specc'd Cooper then there are no empty toggle switches left. (Unless you have a US-Spec,of course)

I'm really interested in hearing from someone on the board who's installed the front lights and where the switch is.

chiph

· #3 · Apr 14, 2002

The Cooper I saw in the showroom at my dealer had the driving lights, and it's switch was on the knee bolster, under the left side of the steering wheel.

The switch matches the "MINI Style", but isn't a toggle switch like on the console - it's a black rocker switch. I thought the placement of the switch could have been better (I didn't like where it was). Maybe you'll have some say as to where it gets installed.

Chip H.

lightbody

· #4 · Apr 15, 2002

The driving lights come on with main-beam - no drilling, no switch..

Keith

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 15, 2002

lightbody said:
The driving lights come on with main-beam - no drilling, no switch..

That can't be! I am talking about the add-on driving lights that are added to the front bumber or grill. If there was no switch then there would be no way to have high beam on without the extra lights.

Kinster

· #6 · Apr 15, 2002

There's a thread on here somewhere that's says the spotlights on the front bumper are activated by using the main beam!

andyB

· #7 · Apr 15, 2002

The demonstrator I drove a couple of weeks ago had the driving lamps connected to the main beam on the headlights.

Put the headlights on full beam and *pow* instant daylight !

lightbody

· #8 · Apr 15, 2002

My friend has had the full 4 driving lights fitted to the front of the COOPER - they ALL come on - all 6 lights - with main beam - its quite impressive!

I think, in the UK at least, that by law they MUST only come on with main beam so that you dont dazzle oncoming drivers. My old Mini was like this too.

- Rob

Keith

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 15, 2002

In the US there are laws about maximum brightness of main beams for street use. Rally lights can only be (legally) used off public streets so there must be a way to have the main beams on with the rally lights off. They will still go through the main beam switch so even when they are turned on, they will turn off when the lights are main beams are turned off.

lightbody

· #10 · Apr 15, 2002

I take your point Keith... and its a shame if your laws mean that you have to have an extra switch somewhere on the MINI's smart dash just so you can have driving lights!

You're not allowed more than 60w bulbs here, although I dont think the law says how many you're allowed!
Rally lights are more than 60w and therefore aren't allowed on the public road.

Keith

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 16, 2002

I have asked a local police officer what the rule is here and this is what I was told ... we can have at most four bright lights turned on at the front of the car at once - that could be 2 low beams and 2 fogs, 4 high beams or 2 high beams and 2 driving lights. The car can have extra driving lights but they can not be turned on when on public roads. When I was in Massachusetts, I think they required the extra lights to be covered so they could not even be accidentally turned on but they seem less fussy about that in Florida.

shorner

· #12 · May 22, 2002

I just got my MINI yesterday. My driving lights can only be switched on when my high beams are active. I thought I could turn them on when my regular lights were on -- guess not. Anyone have a different experience?

MrCooper

· #13 · May 22, 2002

I don't know about the US but in the UK I think all the driving lights work in conjunction with the full beam.

foxcasper

· #14 · May 28, 2002

shorner said:
I just got my MINI yesterday. My driving lights can only be switched on when my high beams are active. I thought I could turn them on when my regular lights were on -- guess not. Anyone have a different experience?

So - where is the switch located to enable/disable the driving lamps? Is it by the knee bolster or with the other toggle switches.

[Normally they will be configured to not come on unless the main beam is on as well.]

MINIAC

· #15 · May 28, 2002

In US MINIs it's on the knee bolster and not integrated into the toggle switches

karmuze

· #16 · May 28, 2002

another alternative perhaps

I ran across this site by accident, where they sell an inductive device that switches on the aux. lights when the high beam (main beam) switch is activated. It doesn't require the wiring of an extra switch apparently, which would leave your MINI dashboard intact. I didn't read up on it so I am not sure if it would work.

I still think the best alternative is to use the spare slot on the existing switchpak though.

aux switch eliminator

Fallschirmjeager

· #17 · May 29, 2002

Location of switch for aux. driving lights

Just returned from a trip to the local MINI dealer, they had an Indi Blue Cooper with Aero Pkg and auxillary driving lights. The switch was located to the left of the steering wheel. It matches nothing else in the car, but it is fairly unobtrusive. Would be Much nicer if it were better integrated. Sorry, no pics yet, didn't have the digi-cam in the Miata. btw, the aero kit looks great, when I get the "S" I'll purchase the front grill from the aero kit for it since all the parts are available seperately.

dietcokeplease

· #18 · May 29, 2002

Re: another alternative perhaps

karmuze said:
I ran across this site by accident, where they sell an inductive device that switches on the aux. lights when the high beam (main beam) switch is activated. It doesn't require the wiring of an extra switch apparently, which would leave your MINI dashboard intact. I didn't read up on it so I am not sure if it would work.

I still think the best alternative is to use the spare slot on the existing switchpak though.

aux switch eliminator [/QUOTE

Some high-end additional lights from PIAA have a switch which attaches around the steering wheel and is wireless. The switch contains a transmitter and battery and switches the driving/fog/aux lights on/off. It's a neat trick/install which I've seen on my friends riced-up Skyline GTR.

Not sure if PIAA sell the switch seperately though.

www.piaa.com

DC

SPClark

· #19 · Jun 4, 2002

My Black over Yellow Cooper had the dealer-installed driving lights added before I had the chance to buy (extra $1000 US!). I'd have opted NOT to have 'em had I the chance, but wanted the Mini too much to let the extra cost stop me.

I can verify the switch position (it has a little green light when the switch is in the "on" position, like the fog light switch) as being to the left and behind the steering wheel - in fact the wheel obscures it perfectly (!) and the lamps themselves only come on when the high beams are activated. If the fog lights are on at that time (I can't see WHY anyone would do that, but I suppose it's possible) they're turned off via some relay or other interconnect.

I'd prefer to have the driving light operable without the main beams switched on at all; if I'm going that fast I don't need to see the road about to pass underneath!

Had my first Sooper Cooper 35 years ago (on the left)

See less See more

MrMow

· #20 · Jun 4, 2002

In Australia they come on with the high beams too (and they are soooo bright!)

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.