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Re: [spitfire-enthusiast] SPITFIRE: Normal dash light behaviours

To: "Tom O'Malley" <tomomalley@hey.net>, DANMAS@aol.com
Subject: Re: [spitfire-enthusiast] SPITFIRE: Normal dash light behaviours
From: Bob Sykes <s1500@worldnet.att.net>
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1998 22:28:12 -0700
Dan Masters wrote:

[...]
> >circuit. Each circuit had its own light. From FM 60001, they "cheapened up" a
> >bit, and used a single hazard flasher for both functions, and the same bulb
> >worked for both. Not a good idea, but I guess it saved a couple of bucks, at 
>a
> >time when Triumph needed to save wherever possible.

This sounds about the right point in production to me.  The "same bulb"
would be the green indicator lamp on the dash.  It flashes to indicate
the
directionals and for the hazards.  Additionally the bulb inside the
"pull
type" switch lights only for the hazard function in concert with the
green
one.

Tom O'Malley wrote:
> The diagrams in the Haynes book don't seem to be accurate regarding
> the federal wiring.  I've found many errors and omissions.
> 
> My 1974 Spit 1500 has a mechanical tach, points ignition *and* the
> Smith's seatbelt module.  I've found no diagram that matches this car.

There were a few anomalies produced in Belgium out of whatever bits they
had lying around.  Sometimes they even borrowed a few parts from the
lawn
tractor factory located next door ;-)
 
> AFAIK, the rocker type flasher switch was gone by 1975 in favor of the
> red circular type with the internal bulb.  The Haynes prints draw this
> switch as a rectangle however, so it gets confusing.

My 1975 Spit had the red circular "pull" switch.  My '74 did not.

> I think the change to the single flasher circuit was probably
> later...most likely when they went to the revised steering column in
> '77.

Wouldn't this be around FM60001?  I don't have my book handy, but my '75
car was FM30738U.

>  I suspect that even the latest cars had a separate hazard
> indicator lamp and that the Haynes print is wrong.

This would be the separate "internal" red lamp.  I'm pretty sure that
Haynes (& Bentley) are both wrong wrt this circuit.  Both of my '78 cars
are single flasher unit.  Both manuals put this change later than that.

>  If it wasn't so
> dark outside I'd run back to the shed and check my '77 to see what's
> there.

You could always turn on your hazard lights to see what you're doing ;-)

>  <other than the snake living under the bonnet!>

Is this an attempt to increase performance?  Or just some type of
"theft-deterrent" device?

@lark mode off,
@lurk mode on,
Bob

-- 
Bob Sykes

"Sometimes one pays most for the things one gets for nothing."
--Albert Einstein


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