Panic stations - red lights on everywhere! Help!!

[mikmik]

Well, just the one, really.
The ignition light ( looks like an electric flash in a red light) came on today. First dim, then bright.

At the same time, the hazards and indicators stopped working. I pulled over and checked the voltage at the battery, which was 14.45, so the alternators giving a charge.

there's no squeaking from the drive belt to the alternator either, and it seems tight enough.

None of the fuses in the parcel shelf are blown. the wipers, interior light, headlights are all working.

Then I got home and turned it off. When I restarted it, it was fine - including indicators...til i revved, then the light came back on.


Lucas electrics..., obviously designed by Satan himself, but has anyone any ideas for me?

[Number 63]

Dodgy earth strap or a corroded bullet connector in the loom to the distributor.

[mikmik]

thanks mate
The battery earth strap, I take it?
Do you know which wire in the dizzy loom would be most likely culprit 63, by any chance?

[ado28]

I would clean all the connectors up i.e. spades and bullets etc as they may be dirty. What does the alternator put out when you rev it just in case there is a fault there? might even be worth swapping the alternator if the symptoms are still the same after cleaning up all your connections.

Sean

[Number 63]

thanks mate
The battery earth strap, I take it?
Do you know which wire in the dizzy loom would be most likely culprit 63, by any chance?

Er, nope. Its been years since I saw the inside of mine. Just thinking though, its worth checking the points and the gap because if the car has sat for a fair while, there could be some rust on the dizzy cam causing the plastic follower to wear down closing the points gap which would put your ignition light on.

[mikmik]

thanks mate
The battery earth strap, I take it?
Do you know which wire in the dizzy loom would be most likely culprit 63, by any chance?

Er, nope. Its been years since I saw the inside of mine. Just thinking though, its worth checking the points and the gap because if the car has sat for a fair while, there could be some rust on the dizzy cam causing the plastic follower to wear down closing the points gap which would put your ignition light on.

Its running on, so the timing and the points need a look-see anyway!
I jst hate electrical faults in particular. they can be an absolute beard to diagnose.

[Number 63]

Time to get the feeler gauges out then !!

BTW, I might have a seat for you, are yours dark chocolate brown velour?

[mikmik]

They're brown, but I don't know if they're velour. I'll photo them today and post it here. Cheers!

Would the dizzy cap connections cause the hazards and indicators to go out too though?


Thanks lads

[JIM73]

You could take it to a local ATS or Kwik fit and they'll do a free battery/alternator test on it !

[mikmik]

We might have a kwik-Fit in Ireland, but nowhere near me!! I live about 70 miles from the city.
ATS I've never heard of, but I have a multi-tester and I won't be trying to sell myself a new battery or alternator, so I trust me more!

[Gee tc]

Can I borrow the header from this post to put on my 406 forum!

T

[mikmik]

yeah TC, work away mate!

Here's the trim I want to take off to tackle the rust beneath.






And here's the seats I have:

[motorracinggrandpa]

thanks mate
The battery earth strap, I take it?
Do you know which wire in the dizzy loom would be most likely culprit 63, by any chance?

Er, nope. Its been years since I saw the inside of mine. Just thinking though, its worth checking the points and the gap because if the car has sat for a fair while, there could be some rust on the dizzy cam causing the plastic follower to wear down closing the points gap which would put your ignition light on.

Its running on, so the timing and the points need a look-see anyway!
I jst hate electrical faults in particular. they can be an absolute beard to diagnose.

Absolutely not. the distributor has nothing to do with the charging cicuit. The Alternator is favourite or a lead on the charging circuit. I would check the alternator first. Do not bother checking the points gap for this problem.

Regards.

[Number 63]

The seats are'nt the same pattern as the ones I have unfortunately but you are welcome to have them as I have no use for them. The colour looks the same though.

The trim under the window is held on by a couple of pop rivets and the window needs to come out to sort it. Do you have opening rear quarters on the special? Might make things simpler..

As for your ignition related problem, it does sound like an earth problem or even a dodgy regulator in the alternator if it is intermittent. I have had points closing down on me before causing earth leakage so its just another suggestion if the earths or alternator does'nt check out.

[mikmik]

Well, it iS charging.

here's a funny thing. I tried all the HT leads going from the dizzy cap to the plugs. One clicked home ever so slightly.
The second thing is that number 1 fuse, when i moved it in its slot, seemed to give me back the indicators, stop lights and fuel and temp gauges.

I'll clean that fuse holder and hope thats it.


63, do you have a whole set of seats?
Don't suppose you have a picture do you please mate?