Electrical Gremlins

[mk1fan]

Right, the Reserve's lay up has incurred some electrical gremlins.

I have carried out the following changes to the electrics as part of the head swap works;
1. Re-routed the washer bottle wiring through the cabin rather than over the engine.
2. Swapped the battery for a Oddessy gel type which required new end terminals.
3. Disconnected the dash light resistors - the wires currently are pulled into the cabin and tucked into the driver's side map pocket.
4. Disconnected the third brake light and driver's side rear cluster from the common earth and wired to own earth - this was to see if the indicator ghosting would disappear. On the rear the both indicator lights would come on. One side bright (the side you were indicating). The other side faint but noticeable.
5. Pulled back some cabling from the front of the engine bay that was connected to nothing. Looks like old table lamp flex. Pulled back into cabin and it disappears in to the loom. At the same point two thin black wires come out and run to the swirlpot earth point.
6. I broke the boot solenoid by accidentally pulling the wires out!
7. Disconnected the wiring to the (non operable) horns. Ziptied in situ to the chassis.

Now the car is up and running I have the following gremlins (that I am aware of);
1. Indicator ghosting at the rear remains.
2. Hazard lights not working - although the alarm flashes work.
3. All indicators flash randomly whilst car is running.

What I need some pointers on;
1. The front and side indicators don't ghost so what should I try next? Swapping the relay?
2. Where does the hazard switch come from - its Ford, but is it Sierra, Escort, universal etc....
3. Should I just connect the dash light cables from the resistors together?
4. Is the boot release solenoid universal?

Thanks.

[GreenV8S]

The ghosting is usually caused by poor earth at the rear lamps - something these Ford light clusters were notorious for. Check the contacts with that crappy circuit board in the light cluster. An analog volt meter is a good way to track this down.

[mk1fan]

Cluster connectors already deleted and replaced with individual narrow spade connectors.

[phillpot]

mk1fan said:

1. The front and side indicators don't ghost so what should I try next? Swapping the relay?
2. Where does the hazard switch come from - its Ford, but is it Sierra, Escort, universal etc....
3. Should I just connect the dash light cables from the resistors together?
4. Is the boot release solenoid universal?

1. I'd try running a length of wire from the earth connections on the bulb holders directly to the battery negative.

2.It is Sierra maybe also Escort? some have square button, some round... don't know if interchangeable?

3.Dash light switch should be OFF - DIM - BRIGHT, with cables not connected you should get OFF - OFF - BRIGHT, connect them and it'll change to OFF - BRIGHT - BRIGHT ( I use the word "bright" loosely )

4.Yes, think this one from Maplin can be used?

mk1fan said:

Now the car is up and running I have the following gremlins (that I am aware of);
1. Indicator ghosting at the rear remains.
2. Hazard lights not working - although the alarm flashes work.
3. All indicators flash randomly whilst car is running.

Adding 2 + 3 (and possibly 1) = iffy alarm ?

Edited by phillpot on Tuesday 17th May 15:53

[Buzzlt]

Or possibly a bad Earth on the alarm !

Have you tried Mike's point 1. It's still most likely a bad earth to the lights ?

[Top Gear TVR]

i'm a fan of a soldering iron on dodgy light fittings. if its been soldered before - try re-making the joints.

[mk1fan]

Got a plan of attack that I outlined in the Reserve thread.

Ideally, I'd like to remove the alarm at some point and just have an immobiliser.