Section : Electrical Equipment

indicators, dashboard lights etc 

Posted By : Ian Button, 11-Dec-2003, 04:05pm

• indicators, dashboard lights etc 

  Posted By : Martin Neal, 11-Dec-2003, 06:48pm

  Hi Ian, welcome to the message board!
  
  When I first had my Mk IV spitty I had similar trouble with the indicators, it's usually an earthing problem so thats a good place to start troubleshooting. I imagine the rest of the lights could be a similar thing. Thats about the limit of my expertise I'm afraid, no idea whats up with your temperature gauge!!
  Good luck and happy Triumph-ing...
  
  Ally

  • indicators, dashboard lights etc 

    Posted By : Alice Hickman, 11-Dec-2003, 06:54pm

    ooo...lent my computer account at uni to Martin earlier and it still thought I was him...it's really me actually!!
    
    Ally

    • indicators, dashboard lights etc 

      Posted By : Timothy Ward, 11-Dec-2003, 07:53pm

      Hi,
      
      Try operating the hazard warning switch (if fitted), the connections for the indicators are connected though the hazard switch contacts. This is to stop the indicators working when the hazards are turned on.
      
      For the temp gauge problem have a look at the sender or the wiring to the sender.
      
      The dashboard lights problem sounds like a fuse contact problem (not necessarily blown), try removing the fuse and cleaning up the fuse contacts.
      
      Tim.

    • indicators, dashboard lights etc 

      Posted By : Ian Mulford, 12-Dec-2003, 10:00am

      Ally,
      
      How do we know it's really you? You could be luring the rest of us into a false sense of security before hatching your evil plan to take over the world!!!
      
      Muahahahaha <---evil laugh
      
      Cheers!
      
      Ian

  • indicators, dashboard lights etc 

    Posted By : Peter Boltryk, 12-Dec-2003, 10:48am

    Hi Ian,
    
    I've had a gauge problem on my GT6 before which sounded similar. At actual running temperatures the gauge tells you that it is overheating, but there'll be no signs of it under the bonnet. In my case it was a dodgy voltage stabiliser - it's an electromechanical device used to output an effective rms voltage so that the gauges aren't affected by the rpm of the engine. They seem to be sensitive to orientation so check it's mounting and also the wires going to it. (it's on the back of the speedo) If you have a coil voltmeter (i.e. reasonably well damped) you can check the output voltage to earth from the stabiliser. I think it's supposed to be about 10.5 V, but _do_ check that. (digitial multimeter wont be very useful because you'll just see the voltage fluctuating to give you that rms figure). In particular, check the earth from the stabiliser - on mine, the earth connected to the speedo mounting itself.
    
    Failing all this, try a replacement sender (that's also been the cause of a fault on mine too...) Yep, you guessed it. This has happenned to me a couple of times! They cost approx &163;7 I think.
    cheers,
    Peter

    • indicators, dashboard lights etc 

      Posted By : Ian Button, 12-Dec-2003, 04:30pm

      Thanks everyone for the tips........I have just looked behind the dashboard centre section and sure enough, there are a couple of green & yellow leads which don't go anywhere. One is hanging from a central earthing point where earth leads from the other instruments are attached. The other one is (I think, by feeling) from the back of the speedo.
      I will get the rest of the dash off and have a better look...............
      Also I have ordered a new temp sender!
      I will keep you posted....
      Ian

• indicators, dashboard lights etc 

  Posted By : William Davies, 12-Dec-2003, 10:19am

  Hi Ian,
  The dashboard lights and temperature gauge fault are almost certainly caused by a loose earth wire, most probably one of those which attaches to an instrument mounting, very common for these to be omitted or insufficiently tight on a car which has been played with, as an GT convertible will have been...
  The indicator fault may or may not be associated - I would expect the indicators on both sides to play up, but then again this is a Triumph. Let us know what happens with the earthing,
  Cheers,
  Bill.