Stridey

Looked cold, but happy, always makes me happy to see one about.... however when I was flashed behind I pulled over and was checking my car when it turned out to be a chum in a car I didn't know he had!

Around 10 ish classic green I flashed from a red Fiat 500

duplicate, was on phone...

Always worth checking leads with a multimeter , a ruler and a simple formula to work out resistance over length (Search you tube).... When I did this it revealed a lead that was out of kilter with the others.

I decided to upgrade my fan override to the one mentioned in blatchat archives and old Low Flying. it uses a relay so is better than the simple non relay circuit had already.. My query is this, the circuit is designed to run direct off the battery so that the fan continues to run when stopped, evidently to save the head gasket a bit. Now. I see that the fan would continue to run if the temp switch is active BUT: a) As only the fan would continue, water pump would not continue, how long would the fan run on for on average, as I'm worried the battery will drain. b) Is it really worth worrying about?

I'd also suggest getting electrical bits and bobs too. (I find fiddling with electrics satisfying)... Good wire, a selection of connectors, crimping tool, shrinking tubes, soldering iron, multimeter... various simple jobs, fan override, 12v socket, turn signal beeper, etc. Worth having just in case..,skills often help you work out any electrical issues over time.

I didn't solder these ones as my soldering iron wasn't working! Probably for the best. Can report (as I sit at Shell waiting for Longy to go to the L2B run) that it's working at 14.1 v constantly, and down a 10th each time I switch on things. Deeply relieved and thanks for the tips!

Your probably right Bricol, the crimps were done by me (and soldered)... over time they have deteriorated to that awful state for some reason in situ... I resorted to using the plug, (basically a cover that clips over the wires) after plugless running led to shorting in rain or after running through a puddle. The plug comes with 3 crimp ends at right angles, to fit the plug. I had a couple of years good running at least until the recent issues.

Previously on here I've suggested fitting a cover plug to the alternator wires. Monitoring charging these past few months I'd noticed it wasn't always charging correctly. Took the plug off to inspect, thinking I'd just clean the contacts and saw the wire connections had deteriorated badly, over the last 2 years or so. I've replaced the contacts and plug and smeared dialectic grease. Hopefully will keep things at bay... I thought I'd post as I'll add it to my winter checklist. I'm now not so sure the plug did what I was hoping, but without the plug I'd found contact issues previously... maybe it's 50/50?

Ahhhh, every day is a school day! You probably saved me some time in the future. Ta!

You can buy the little bulbs in bulk, I replaced a couple that had blown on various rocker switches over time. Can be worth checking. You do need to dis-assemble the switch but it's pretty simple.

Mine is aftermarket and piggy backs the indicator switch, so perhaps track back from there to find a buzzer. Mine comes on after about 10 ticks and goes off if my brake is depressed so not constant in traffic. I find it very useful.

I had one that needed replacing, replaced with plain, I think on balance I prefer clear, the greenish tint on heated got to me, and of course cost. Perhaps if I used full hood and misting was an issue I'd prefer heated. With a half hood misting has been minor.

Solved! Thanks SM25T as my first port of call was alt end plug wiring, which revealed an extra unplugged wire, which had pull out of somewhere. As the only place I could think of was the starter motor I felt near the big wire and felt a tab, that probably should have had that erroneous wire in. Put it in, put plug back on alt, fingers crossed, fired up first time, 13.8 on the button. Will spend a little time tomorrow putting dialectic grease on connections and checking earths anyway, to prep for autumn. Thank you so much.

OK, pulled plug to do test above but found cable had an extra wire that was not fixed to anything, I suspect it's fallen out of somewhere... but where close by? Wire is the single one with white cable and female connector on it.