Classic Mini Handbrake and Spot Warning Light in Dashboard mod

With this mod, i added something a classic Mini never had: a warning light for the handbrake. This can be useful, as, i have to admit, one can forget the handbrake if you are in a hurry.

Also i added a light that show that the spotlights are active.

The lights sit in a plug for the ashtray opening in the center console.

To detect if the handbrake is active, i used the same type of switch as the brake light switch: Part-Nr. 13H3735 (Models after 1977). I used a switch from Hella (Part-Nr. 6DF 007 362-001), which is the same but more robust and better build.

I mounted the switch with a small piece of angle-aluminum to the floor.

(You should mount the bracket a bit further back, to allow more adjustment)

To activate the switch, i used a big M10 washer, that i ground down on one side (to clear the floor) and fitted with two M8 washers on the threaded part of the pull cable:

 The switch is normally closed. This way, the light comes on when the cable moved towards the front of the car, when the handbrake is active.

Make sure to adjust the handbrake correctly after installing the washers. Adjust the switch so that the lamp is only off then the handbrake is fully open.

I wired one side of the switch to ground (I used one mounting screw of the handbrake), the other side gets attached to the negative side of the LED.

On the positive side of the LED i added a resistor ( I used two 270 Ohm resistors in series, but you can use a single 560 Ohm resistor as well. I recommend a 1 W resistor to be on the save side. Remember to calculate the resistor for 14V, not 12V!). The resistor then gets connected to switched power, I simply used the acc output of the ignition switch. Make sure to use a fused power source.

As a second light i fitted a blue LED and hocked it up the same way to my spot lights, to show when they are on.

Use 5mm straw-hat type LEDs with 120° output angle, to get an uniform illumination. You can also file away the round top of normal 5mm LEDs to get the same effect.

 To mount the LEDs, glue them in the LED holder and attach the cables (and the heat shrink) to the mounting post using a zip tie. Then glue the holder in the mount.

There are multiple versions in the files:

• a multicolor version for multicolor printing: Use white and black filament to get the illuminated symbol

• a blank version with two LEDs, to add your own symbols.

• a blank version with one centered LED, if you only want one symbol.

Print with PETG or similar.

Use 4 walls and support for the overhangs.

Print the clips laying down.

See original post for assembly instructions for the clips.

I take no responsibility for you modifying your car! Use at your own risk.

Happy printing, feel free to remix!