Electrics and earthing system
Discussion
I've been busy over the last few evenings addressing some of the nigglely(sp?) electrical maladies that come with S ownership, I thought I'd share them with you whilst taking the liberty of asking a few questions into the bargin 
.
The first thing I did was clean up all of the chasis earth points I could find. I found four basically one in each wheel area:-
1. OS rear up under the parcel shelf, main battery earth.
2. NS rear again under the parcel shelf, rear lights (I think)
3. OS front on the diagonal brace between the chassis top rail and the outrigger, main engine bay/alternator earth.
4. NS front on a diagonal brace again, collection of wires? and two square blocks with wires either end (ice sensor?).
Did I miss any
Found out why the back lights had been playing up, the earth tab (washer shaped) NS rear, has been cut into a half moon so that the lazy b**td who last did it didn't have to undo the nut to get the tab off next time, the only problem with that is you can't get in to clean it that way and it will always make a poor connection in the future i.e. NOW
(FTVRCC history, proves its not that great a thing to me).
I've also had an intermittant problem with the speedo, so the center tunnel came of to check access to the speed sensor wiring (
easier than dropping the exhaust 
). Well I found it and apart from being caked in sh*te it seemed OK, but cleaned it all up anyway and swung through to the ECU, OK, but couldn't find the other end in the dash for the speedo though .
Anyone know where it is hidden
The internal fan only runs on one speed at the moment so while the center tunel was up good time to look at that, yep the switch is fcuked.
Anyone know the part number, or where to get one
Also the stereo sometimes drops off when hitting a bump so the opportunity arose, agian whilst the center tunnel was up to check the back wiring, a professional installation, well it says so on the receipt, shed loads of choc block, now all tightened and awaiting a long road test over cobble stones .
Answers to any of the above greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.
Harry
. The first thing I did was clean up all of the chasis earth points I could find. I found four basically one in each wheel area:-
1. OS rear up under the parcel shelf, main battery earth.
2. NS rear again under the parcel shelf, rear lights (I think)
3. OS front on the diagonal brace between the chassis top rail and the outrigger, main engine bay/alternator earth.
4. NS front on a diagonal brace again, collection of wires? and two square blocks with wires either end (ice sensor?).
Did I miss any
Found out why the back lights had been playing up, the earth tab (washer shaped) NS rear, has been cut into a half moon so that the lazy b**td who last did it didn't have to undo the nut to get the tab off next time, the only problem with that is you can't get in to clean it that way and it will always make a poor connection in the future i.e. NOW
(FTVRCC history, proves its not that great a thing to me). I've also had an intermittant problem with the speedo, so the center tunnel came of to check access to the speed sensor wiring (
easier than dropping the exhaust ). Well I found it and apart from being caked in sh*te it seemed OK, but cleaned it all up anyway and swung through to the ECU, OK, but couldn't find the other end in the dash for the speedo though . Anyone know where it is hidden
The internal fan only runs on one speed at the moment so while the center tunel was up good time to look at that, yep the switch is fcuked.
Anyone know the part number, or where to get one
Also
the stereo sometimes drops off when hitting a bump so the opportunity arose, agian whilst the center tunnel was up to check the back wiring, a professional installation, well it says so on the receipt, shed loads of choc block, now all tightened and awaiting a long road test over cobble stones . Answers to any of the above greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.
Harry
I'm sure I've read on a previous posting that the TR7 sourced (apparently) switches can be dismantled and cleaned/fixed etc., but that could just be a rumour!
The internal fan only runs on one speed at the moment so while the center tunel was up good time to look at that, yep the switch is fcuked.
Anyone know the part number, or where to get one
Failing that, you could try Robsport International for a new switch.Harry
Sorry to hear about the electical woes.
For what its worth, I had the same problem with the fan switch, mine stopped working on fast setting. I ordered a replacement switch from Rimmer, but when I stripped out the offending fan switch, I found that it was possible to disassemble it (proper British switch eh!) and clean all the contacts so that it worked perfectly, which was just as well as the switch I got from from Rimmer bros was nothing like the original. I assume the switchgear in your V8 is the same as mine so shouldn't be a problem.
Btw take careful note of the positions of the copper contacts when you disassemble as it is easy to lose the plot when re-assembling :embarassedgrinandmuchheadscratching:
Good Luck
Graham
Sorry to hear about the electical woes.
For what its worth, I had the same problem with the fan switch, mine stopped working on fast setting. I ordered a replacement switch from Rimmer, but when I stripped out the offending fan switch, I found that it was possible to disassemble it (proper British switch eh!) and clean all the contacts so that it worked perfectly, which was just as well as the switch I got from from Rimmer bros was nothing like the original. I assume the switchgear in your V8 is the same as mine so shouldn't be a problem.
Btw take careful note of the positions of the copper contacts when you disassemble as it is easy to lose the plot when re-assembling :embarassedgrinandmuchheadscratching:
Good Luck
Graham
Harry
What kind of a problem did you have with your speedo? My odometer seems to have stuck at a certain mileage and doesn't move on, though it sort of twitches and tries to turn every kilometre. I suspect that it might have stuck because the car hasn't been used much during a couple of years, or maybe I have a bad earth problem or some other electrical problem.
Johan
>> Edited by Johan G on Friday 24th January 08:35
What kind of a problem did you have with your speedo? My odometer seems to have stuck at a certain mileage and doesn't move on, though it sort of twitches and tries to turn every kilometre. I suspect that it might have stuck because the car hasn't been used much during a couple of years, or maybe I have a bad earth problem or some other electrical problem.
Johan
>> Edited by Johan G on Friday 24th January 08:35
gbgaffer said:For what its worth, I had the same problem with the fan switch, mine stopped working on fast setting. I ordered a replacement switch from Rimmer, but when I stripped out the offending fan switch, I found that it was possible to disassemble it (proper British switch eh!) and clean all the contacts so that it worked perfectly.
I knew someone had done this before - I was just lazy to search through the previous postings to find out who!
>> Edited by RichardR on Friday 24th January 13:37
shnozz said: Harry - whilst you are aware of my lack of mechanical knowledge, I have some free time over the weekend so if you need a hand (passing you the spanners or something equally lacking in technical skills) then please text/call me.
it'll stop me spending the weekend in the orifice.
Thanks for the offer phil, nearly finished putting it back together now, the fan switch (lucas type 182SA part no. 33939A was stamped on it) is as previously stated a take part and see what you can do with it
type of thing
, it is OK at the moment after aclean and remoulding of some of the melted plastic 
I'll obtain a replacement and do it in the next couple of weeks. Almost ready for a road test tomorrow and hopefully ready for the Surrey run on Sunday
, not sure if I've got time to clean it though 
. Harry
A quick question that arose whilst I had this lot apart was the fibre optic system that feeds the sliding lower panel switch illumination and the heater control illumination.
I've noticed that the lower panel seems to have no illumination, but when I had it apart the FO seemed to OK from behind (feeding the clear plastic shroud around the switches) but is bloody useless at illuminating the switches. Whilst the illumination of the heater controls is good.
Anyone have the same symptoms with a S3/V8S layout or is mine just shite, or are they all shite.
Had a quick chat with Jason (Jvaungh(sp?) 400SE) over the weekend at the Surrey run and it just so happens he had his the FO lamp and loom in his footwell as an on going job, is it the same on all wedges as well then, or is there a work around.
I noticed the lamp 12V/5W appears greyish to look at, is this normal?
Any input gratefully recieved.
Harry
I've noticed that the lower panel seems to have no illumination, but when I had it apart the FO seemed to OK from behind (feeding the clear plastic shroud around the switches) but is bloody useless at illuminating the switches. Whilst the illumination of the heater controls is good.
Anyone have the same symptoms with a S3/V8S layout or is mine just shite, or are they all shite
. Had a quick chat with Jason (Jvaungh(sp?) 400SE) over the weekend at the Surrey run and it just so happens he had his the FO lamp and loom in his footwell as an on going job
, is it the same on all wedges as well then, or is there a work around. I noticed the lamp 12V/5W appears greyish to look at, is this normal?
Any input gratefully recieved.
Harry
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