Lights again

[Amazonjulian]

Afternoon all. I read the recent threads on lights with interest as - now a significant way through the restoration of my 122S, I have turned my attention to the electrics. I had a dodgy switch which I replaced and I have a feed to the front lights. I also have functioning indicators and brake lights. I do not have rear lights or instrument illumination. I noted from Ron's wiring description the two white wires which are fed from fuse three and thought they might be the culprit. Not sure about the appropriate tests- continuity I guess would be one- looking for breaks in the wire.The fuses are OK and the wiring has not been got at by bodgers at all . I would welcome any wisdom that might lead me to the right tests and investigations more quickly than my limited electical knowledge will.
Thanks guys
Julian

[Ron Kwas]

Julian;

Of the two white wires departing the F3, one supplies the front Parking Lights, the other supplies the rears AND Instrument variable lighting by way of pin 4 of the six pin connector under the dashboard.

As a rule, wires do not develop breaks on their own and without external insult...connection problems typically occur at corrosion or looseness at terminations (fuse holder, connectors etc.) ...so look there first...try reseating the six pin connector under dashboard! Apply ACZP!

Reference: http://www.sw-em.com/122S%20Wiring%20Diagram.jpg
ACZP: http://www.sw-em.com/anti_corrosive_paste.htm

Good Hunting!

[Amazonjulian]

Thanks Ron. My wife frequently tells me that I am awful at finding things and admittedly its a bit dingy in the garage on an Autumn evening but could you give me a hint on what this connector looks like and roughly where its situated? Haven't found it so far. Thanks ever so

[Amazonjulian]

You know what I'm not the first person here to talk about easy fixes this week. As I said before the wiring under my dash is beautifully unmolested. It turned out to be the fusebox. A case of slow and steady does the job. Despite the fact that I had cleaned the fuses and connections as my first port of call- more cleaning was necessary- just goes to show how bright it all needs to be.

[222s]

You know what I'm not the first person here to talk about easy fixes this week. As I said before the wiring under my dash is beautifully unmolested. It turned out to be the fusebox. A case of slow and steady does the job. Despite the fact that I had cleaned the fuses and connections as my first port of call- more cleaning was necessary- just goes to show how bright it all needs to be.

Yes, it's often surprising as to the issues that a grotty fusebox can cause. Replacing* mine immediately cured several electrical problems, the strangest being that operating the headlight flasher resulted in no headlight flash (despite the click of the relay), but also knocked out the entire circuit that also runs the brake lights, but without blowing the fuse..... Ron's excellent advice came to the rescue in solving that one :)

*in case you haven't seen it, there's a write-up on Ron's site about reconditioning the fuseboxes. I didn't have time to do that as my car is used daily.