weird electronics fault, ?

[fkoz]

Hi, have a s2 from 1990 and experiencing some weird faults with the eletronics at the moment.. Engine starts without problems and runs smoothly. However, systems seems to lack voltage, voltage meter is almost down at red and as soon as I switch on lights and/or wipers voltage meter creeps even further down. When pressing brake pedal system gives up and all meters, incl fuel and temperature meters goes completely insane. Using the stereo system is not to think of.
Has anyone ever experienced same problems before, got any clue how to fix it? all answers much appreciated!!
regards, Filip

[bridgdav]

I take it you have rev'd the car above 2k.. so that the alternator is charging the battery and your Voltage gauge is up..

Welcome by the way..!

[GreenV8S]

There's a rather nasty connector between the ignition switch and the main loom that carries the load of all the ignition switched circuits. This is OK when new but after it's had a few years for corrosion to set in becomes a problem. Contact resistance causes heat buildup which causes more corrosion and so on until before you know it the connector has melted and you are stranded. The connector is under the steering column binacle and worth investigating. A poor earth or contact resistance in the fuse box can also cause these symptoms, but the ignition switch connector is where I'd look first. If that's OK you would need to start measuring the voltage drop around the circuit and see where it's going. It's amazing how quickly you can lose 4V without anything obviously wrong!

[fkoz]

1.) yeah, this is a constant problem when driving car after it is rev'd up.

2.) ah, I take it this is the wacky connection that is mentioned quite often on this forum will have a look at it and see what I can do about it. many thanks for help

[tubbystu]

Its easy to bypass the ignition circuit round the connector - the signs of wear are obvious once you part the two halves.