1800: Overdrive Switch Earthing Poorly

[UkeWayne]

A mate of mine has a 1966 P1800.

His overdrive recently stopped working and we traced the problem to a poor earth on the steering column where the non latching stalk switch is fitted.

Using a multimeter the switch was earthing at only 3volts.

I've 'cured' his issue by fitting a short wire from a good earth point with 12volts.

I assume there is a correct location for an earth strap to the steering column and this has come adrift or degraded.

Does anyone know the correct location(s) for the earth strap(s)

Many thanks

[Clan]

Originally Posted by UkeWayne

A mate of mine has a 1966 P1800.

His overdrive recently stopped working and we traced the problem to a poor earth on the steering column where the non latching stalk switch is fitted.

Using a multimeter the switch was earthing at only 3volts.

I've 'cured' his issue by fitting a short wire from a good earth point with 12volts.

I assume there is a correct location for an earth strap to the steering column and this has come adrift or degraded.

Does anyone know the correct location(s) for the earth strap(s)

Many thanks

If i remember correctly on the 122 the steering column earth wire goes all the way down the centre and comes out under the bonnet somewhere along the column to earth on the body , It has been about 40 years since i repaired one !

[Ron Kwas]

Uke;

Welcome to this forum!

I believe chassis connection for all switches on Steering Column needing to make a connections to chassis (OD, Horn, Headlight Signaling) is made through the mechanical mountings of St C. and no addition wire is installed, so your finding an inadequate chassis connection at the OD switch and solution of adding a wire is OK. (I presume you added the wire from chassis to St C.)...just in case, I'd verify Battery Neg cable, also Strap (Braid) from Chassis to Engine near Exhaust, are not exhibiting a voltage drop when current is drawn.

Clan; Wire exiting Steering Column at Steering Box is activation wire for Horn, and it is one of the nodes which makes connection to St C. (at Hron Switch) and it also needs a good chassis connection on St C.

Cheers