Re: Lucas shorts (temporarily solved)

K. Patrick Wheeler (pwheeler(at)ix.netcom.com)
Tue, 12 May 1998 20:17:11 -0700

Thanks for all the good advice >From what it sounds like I actually may have had two separate problems, the dash
lights and the wiper connection. I continued through the grounding system and tightened a lot of loose connections. Started sanding and connections on switches and ground points and ran an extra ground wire. The dash lights came back on with the cleaning of the switch like Andy suggested and it seems to be working at this point. I had a bit of a wet commute this a.m. to test the wiper problem and did not have any noticeable dimming when the windshield wipers came on. I'll keep an eye on the switch in case it is on the way out. We're in for more wet stuff the rest of the week so I'll have plenty of opportunity to test it ;-) -Patrick

Dennis Osmer wrote:

> If you could duplicate the problem, while it is happening take a good ground
> (**to the neg on battery**) and start touching things with it. The problem
> is that something is drawing its ground the wrong way through those
> filaments etc and lighting them up. It does drive you nuts but I would toss
> the ohm gauge and just start hooking up grounds temporarily till you find
> it.
> Best of luck

Andy Whiteford wrote:

> Patrick
>
> a few more thoughts
>
> 1: a faulty panel lighting switch. A quick spray of electrical contact
> cleaner (Not WD40) might help, if you a haven't got a spare to try.
>

This helped, I think.

> 2: on the series 3 at least, there is a resistance built onto the top of
> the main lighting switch, which is placed in series with the panel light
> supply & partially dims the dash lights when the main lights are on. An
> open circuit there could cause a dash blackout.
> Is this feature on the ser. 4 and 5,? or have you got wee hoods on the lenses?

wee hoods (this is one of the last thousand or so made and the cost cutting was in full force)

>
>
> 3: dash lights are not supplied via the voltage regulator, it regs only 2
> gauges.
>
> 4: I've seen wiring breaks caused by "Scotch-lock"type accessory-cable
> snap-connectors
>
> 5: there's nothing worse than an *intermittent* fault ;-)

yup

>
>
> anyway, if your earths seem sound, I'd unscrew the main light switch and
> panel light switch, and check voltage at all the terminals as they hang
> below the dash and you operate the switches. (If I remember right, there's
> numbers on each switch which should correlate to the wiring diagram (or is
> that old Fords?)). I had to replace a panel lights switch when I overhauled
> my electrics at Xmas,
> and this switch might well be your prime suspect.
> I only wish welding was this logical!
>
> You'll get it fixed, eventually. let us know how!
>
> Andy
>
> Will Glasgow Celtic FC win the title after 9 years of Rangers domination?
> Will I hear the game on the radio with all that metal grinding I'll be doing?