Lighting Help Required Please

[philmccann]

HI there

Got the top of the dash right now. Thougt I'd be smart and replace all the instrument lamps while in there. Couldn't get the normal 2W variety so got 4W instead. Since fitting them nothing but blown fuses. Changed back to the old 2W variety , still blowing 15A fuses. Now from the drawings all I can see in the loop are the dash bulbs and the clock, and going up to 4W shouldn't take it anywhere near the 15A.
Obvious other thing in the loop is the "black box" at the back. Could this be a problem. Any help appreciated.

gds

Phil

[MADMAX2]

have u disturbed an earth connection?

[spend]

It comes off the sidelight switch, which feeds the beam (relay) and the dash light switch whence loom goes & feeds all upper dash bulbs.

Dave

[philmccann]

Thx for that

What I have noticed is that the connectors for the ribbons can go on any way round.Could this be a problem. The lights did all work at one point after connecting everything up. Then after leaving it for ten mins or so, blew the fuse on turning the light switch to first (sidelight) position.
How do you know which way round the ribbons go on the switches?
Do I have a prob with the Black Box or not?
Can see this being a PITA to sort.

Was hoping to take it for an MOT this week, don't think so now.

Any other ideas welcome and appreciated.

Rgds

Phil

[spend]

Ohhh bugger, forget what I said... you black box eleyctrickery boys are on your own!

Dave

[Cider Andy]

Yes, the ribbon cable will go either way and needs to be marked before removal (been there, done that!). If you connect it the wrong way the lights don't work, connect it the right way round and they do. But I had no blown fuses.

[philmccann]

HI there

Thx all. Got there in the end. The RH lamp on the rev counter is one of the push fit lamps. Very difficult to work with as this is where the dash turns the corner. Found if I disconnected the first lamp fuse was ok, but when I put that lamp in the fuse blew. Chased it from there to, yes you've guessed it, the last one. There is not much room for the wires to turn as the lampholder enters the rear of the rev counter and something must have got trapped/shorted at the corner.Took it out and carefully replaced. All seems ok now and have replaced the 4W lamps.
Was very close, in a moment of panic, to ordering the black box. Luckily Bellhill Garage guys bu**er off early at night and when I phoned them at 1640hrs there was no answer (they say they're open to 1700hrs!!) Continued the faultfinding the next morning and saved myself a packet!!


Rgds

Phil