Black box controlling lights in boot - me0003 melted!

[ssavill]

So.... this is prob the 2nd time that the connector for the black box that controls the lights (dipped & Main) has melted due to being under-rated. Has anyone seen an aftermarket conversion that can solve this problem or made something up themselves. I cant make my mind up if its just the connector that is under-rated, the cables that they are using or the whole lot.

the box / electronics that I am talking about are board: ME0003 and associated connector on the loom side.

any advice / guidence is much appreciated - but am well tempted to get my soldering iron out, pop down to maplins tomorrow morning and fabricate my own.

Please let me know any of you're ideas & thoughts.

Thks

Stuart.

[mikesr]

A fix that many have done is to put a couple of relays in the wing behind the headlamps and run a live feed straight from the battery through a 20A fuse to the relay. The relays are wired to the lights and the existing cables that feed the headlamps are used to drive the relays.

The only hassle is the dim/dip box that puts a few volts onto the relay when the sidelights are on. Not enough to properly energise the relay which vibrates away merrily. But if the feed from the dim/dip (pin 6 IIRC) is disconnected and taped out of the way it cures the buzzing relay.

I fitted relays and cable and put Vision Plus bulbs and new reflectors in. Massive difference in illumination level.

However, replacing the reflectors is a royal PITA

Edited by mikesr on Saturday 2nd December 17:46

[ssavill]

Hi Mike,

Many thanks for you're response - think I will have a stab at that..
another favour to ask - do you have the pin layout / cable colours for the connector to the loom??? the wires are so charred - cant make it out.... thanks,

Stuart.

[mikesr]

Hi Stuart

here you go


Lights Control Unit

A1 rear fog lamps yellow/red
A2 fog lamps yellow/red
A3 sidelamps red/white
A4 sidelamp signal white
A6 dip beam drive red/yellow
A7 battery (dip) red
A8 ignition green
A9 battery (main) red

B1 battery (side) red
B2 fog lamp signal yellow
B3 head lamp sig. blue
B5 dip beam sig. blue/red
B6 main beam sig. blue/white
B8 lh main beam blue/white
B9 rh main beam blue/white

To stop the low voltage to the relays when the side lights are on disconnect the red/black wire on pin 6 of the dim dip unit and insulate it.
I taped it to the box itself to keep it out of the way.
The whole unit can probably be removed but I didn't like the idea of unterminated feeds from the ignition etc floating around above the fuel tank - even if they are taped up

Below is the wiring diagram I threw together so I didn't toast the cabling. The part numbers are from Vehicle Wiring Products catalogue.

cheers

Mike

Edited by mikesr on Saturday 2nd December 18:59

[ssavill]

Mike - you are a star! Many thanks - Stuart.

[ssavill]

Mike - sorry another dumb question - been sitting here with my soldering iron... Do you have a piccy / pin layout of the actual connector block - with colour codes to each pin - it really is a mess in there.

Thks

Stuart.

[mikesr]

Hi Stuart

I've posted a reply on your other thread.

Mike