Turn Indicator Stalk Replacement most V8cars ?

[peter dowdle]

I thought I would pass on my experience of replacing the indicator stalk on my 411 Mk2 which had fallen apart from old age.The original unit had left and right turn , horn and head light flashing functions but no high or low beam headlights ( which worked on a foot button ).

I was unable to find an exact replasement unit but found and installed an almost exactly the same unit from a Mini Moke (and I guess many other BMC cars).

To fit this unit involved cutting the plugs off my old unit and the new unit and soldering the old plug to the new Mini stalk. The colour codes of the 2 switches were the same and all worked well.

What I was left with was 2 spare wires for the head light dip
function.I decided I would update my car by removing the dip switch from the floor and running 2 wires from the floor up to the stalk which was an easy task.
There are 3 wires on the floor button, a power in wire from the headlight switch , a low beam wire (red and blue) and a high beam wire ( blue and white ). You only need the power in and the low bean wires running these up to the stalk as the high beam current is sent to the headlights via the curcuit used for the headlight flashers.

Regards Peter Dowdle

[David C]

That sounds like a good upgrade. Do you have a part number for the replacement switch?
Just checking if your driving lamps are powered through a relay as the Moke only had one pair of lights.

If the original switch is still operational there is another option for using the stalk to dip. This uses a Volvo relay. I believe it changes between dip and main at the same time as flashing. It was from the 1xx and 2xx series cars so is quite hard to find. Various Volvo forums have good information on operation and replacement options. The main advantage of this option is that the stalk only carries switching current so should last a lot longer.

[Green411]

Both of these are very interesting for me - such a job is on my list.
I would be grateful for part numbers from both Peter and David if possible please.

[David C]

The Volvo part seems both hard to find and quite pricey. The best alternative I found with a bit of browsing is:

Change Over Relay - 12V 25A - Latching, With Resistor from 12 Volt Planet

As is it will just change between dip and main beam but it could easily be wired to flash the spot lamps at the same time. It may need a diode in circuit to prevent back feeding the main beam circuit. Happy to elaborate if you think you might go ahead.

[peter dowdle]

Hi Guys

The original wiring powers the head lights high beam (all 4 of them)through a heavy wire from the light switch on the dash as does the low beam. This wire goes from the dash switch to the pedal on the floor and then sends the power through to either high or low bean as selected. There are no relays in the system.

The head light flasher (all 4) has a seperate power source which comes via a fuse to the flasher stalk.

The 411s have had a habit of burning out the headlight switch and possibly the stalk so on both my 411 and 412 I have 2 relays fitted infront of the radiator ( high beam and low beam) thesr relays take their power from the alternator with a very heavy wire. As a result of this the headlights are much brighter and the pressure is taken off the swith and stalk.

I purchased the stalk from Minisport in Adelaide Aust the invoice states Mini+Clubman and the only part number is 13H7779 if that is any help. It cost me $99.00 Aust.

Does anyone have the Lucas part number for the headlight switch ???

[David C]

Lucas 159SA might work but will not have the original script. If it has the same internals it could be worth trying to salvage the original front.