[DeTomaso] Electrical Issues AGAIN

[Phil Lockett]

Richard,
If the new switch doesn't sort it, check the earth between the light units and the body, and that the bulbs are working and are connecting nicely into their holders - If the resistance is too high(Or low) in the flasher/blinker circuit, the flasher unit will struggle to cycle properly and produce either constantly on, constantly off, or constantly on but dim flashers.

If none of those work, a new flasher unit would be my next guess.


Phil

 



________________________________
 From: Richard Greenblum <pantera at austin.rr.com>
To: Phil Lockett <montecarlo296 at yahoo.com> 
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2013 2:28 PM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Electrical Issues AGAIN
 

Thanks, Phil.  For as long as I can remember, the first thing blamed in a Pantera when there's an electrical issue is ground.  That's what I checked before looking for guidance.  All of the grounds are solid, including both the OE ones, and those that I added over time.

The gauge lights are working again.  I thought I'd simply recycle the dimmer switch a couple of times and that took care of that.  The only things not working now are the blinkers and flashers, which as you know, are tied together.  Because the switch is acting up by not staying off at times, I'm pretty sure now it's the switch.  I have a new one coming.  After I install it, I'm going to rebuild, if possible, the old one.  If the new switch doesn't fix it, I'm going to have to rethink this whole thing…sure hope that doesn't happen.

Richard

From:  Phil Lockett <montecarlo296 at yahoo.com>
Reply-To:  Phil Lockett <montecarlo296 at yahoo.com>
Date:  Thursday, February 21, 2013 5:48 AM
To:  deTomaso List <detomaso at poca.com>
Subject:  Re: [DeTomaso] Electrical Issues AGAIN


I concur with all the preceding answers, this is definitely an earth problem.
Back in the dark ages when I ran Mini Marcos' - which are totally glassfibre, with only front and rear subframes for earth, this was an almost permanent problem - One time the right turn signal made the heater turn on slow, and pushing the horn made it go faster - It is all down to the electricity finding the easiest way to earth - which if there is no direct route will go back up the loom and through another circuit to find it.
I've even had the starter motor earth through the speedo cable which wasn't good.
I ended up fitting a small copper buzzbar from a 400v motor control panel under the dash which sorted most of it.

Basically you need to disconnect all earths, give them a quick wire brushing, and reconnect - I usually give them a touch of copper grease too.
But also, have a good looksee to find if any of the earths have been forgotten completely and not reconnected, but also that the wires haven't snapped inside the insulation just before they go into the ring connectors.

FWIW early minis had the same problem with the hazard light switches. The thing being that the switch needs to disconnect the normal turn signals and connect the hazards all in one movement - and with a mini, all without relays. The fix is the same, jumper the two wires that feed the turn signals together to bypass the switching mechanism for the hazards.
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