Hi

I've got an alarm and the trigger light for arm/disarm is wired to the headlights, now how do I wire it to the indicator lights? I know I have to install two diodes to stop current flow so when the indicator is on it wont flash both sides.

But my indicators only work when key is on the "On" position or engine running.

Anyones got an idea on how to wire it properly?

Cheers

are the indicators supposed to work like this? only when key is on the IGN or ON position ?

It's tough to say without seeing the wiring diagram. You need to be careful what you wire in into, you may exceed the unit's output rating for the indicator lights, particularly if it is mosfet switched.

If you wire it into the headlights, and then wire it into the indicators with diodes fitted to keep the indicators working, everytime you switch the headlights on, the current will back feed into the indicators as well, another diode added to prevent this would be large.

For simplicity, I would fit it to the headlights or indicators only.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

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1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
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Mick I was just wanting to fit it on the indicators and totally remove it from the headlights.

Yeah you'll need to fit diodes so that when you are using your indicators they won't both flash at the same time (left and right).

To wire it all up it's quite simple:

Get your 2 diodes and join the two ends without the stripe together (from memory the diodes you want are 1N4004... but it's been a while)

Take the output from your alarm and connect that to your joined diodes (the two pins you've just joined)

Then 'tap into' your indicators - you need to find the wire that runs to your right indicators and the wire that runs to the left, strip a small section of the insulation and connect one of the diode outputs to each of these wires.

So now you should have... the output of the alarm 'splitting' through your diodes to each indicator circuit.

Make sure nothings touching and test it out, then solder it all together and insulate it adequately

You don't need to worry about power to the indicators - the alarm is supplying it

Let us know how you go

You'll only need to fit diodes if you have only one indicator output from the alarm. Many alarms have separate left/right outputs to the indicators and then no diodes are neccesary.

The indicators in the mini normaly only work with the ignition on - this is the same as most other cars (any modern car switches the indicators off when the ignition is off). To change that you'll have to switch the +12v to the flasher can from the "on on ignition" fusebox terminal to the "always on" fusebox terminal, but I cant see why you'd want to do so.

Shouldn't need to do anything with the 12 volt indicator supply from the fusebox as the alarm provides the 12 volts when it flashes. Just need to tap it into the left and right wire.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Usually the alarm systems that get hooked up to the headlights only have one output

my alarm has only one output for the lights

If they provide two outputs, I'll tip that the only difference is the diodes to stop one side backfeeding the other when you use the indicators. So the mod you initially suggested and was elaborated on will be fine. Just make sure you get the diode suited to the voltage and the current.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I was just answering his original question #2 "is it normal that the indicators only work with the ignition on?".