I need to see the lights!

[john 4d]

Now that the main switch is sorted, I'm checking the four corners to see what lights work and which don't and trying if they don't to find out why.
The head lights put out a cosy warm glow on dipped in that 'cool' slow build up way, well three of them, ideal for that romantic night in, not for night driving though. On main, only one works and the rest go out! Right front and rear indicators work intermittently, oh, they're supposed to. The left front indicator works, the rear refuses to, even when the right bulb is swapped over. On the bright side, sorry, the left reversing light works and for a change the right doesn't. Visa versa for the rear 'side' lights. The brake lights don't work. The front side lights do. None of the interior lights seem to be co-operating, yet, but the instrument panel illumination, apart from the hazard switch, is working fine. Horns don't work, washer does, wipers work on second speed and intermittent, tail plate lights do, boot light don't, glove compartment light did because the door wasn't fitted, making the switch, disconnected the local bullets till it came time to fit the door, reconnected the bullet, bulb now refuses to co-operate!
I love 'Christine' the film based on Steven King's book. That's a car with an attitude, I'm beginning to think mine has one similar, only it doesn't like me. I'm hoping that the root cause to my problems, other than me, is bad earth's or contacts, or simply the connections on the wrong way around and not broken wires half way through a length of loom!
Anyone want to lend a hand with the investigation?
John4D

[Dave Worrall]

Hi John,

I have had similar probs with mine - I have a new loom fitted but still had some or most of the same issues you describe. I found my causes to be bad earths - the connectors and the fuse box furred up.

Some people clean the fuse box with fine glass paper. I solved the furring by sticking the fuse box in a bath of coca cola overnight and doing the same with the plug connectors. After this the wipers started working properly, the horn relay was clicking away merrily as was the washer bottle.

Dave.

[Rubce]

I suggest you go back to first principles. Are the permenantly live fuses live both sides, are the ignition controlled fuses live when the ignition is switched on? Take a circuit at a time and bell each wire out. Bell out each earth. It would have been easier to do all this whilst you had the car stripped. You just need to take your time and check out each circuit one at a time. Clean connectors etc.

Good luck

Bruce

[keeny]

Was that diet cola or full sugar dave

[Dave Worrall]

Has to be Full Fat Coke Keeny. The more sugar the better.

Dave.

[john 4d]

I love 'Christine' the film based on Steven King's book. That's a car with an attitude, I'm beginning to think mine has one similar, only it doesn't like me.
John4D[/QUOTE]
Well, I think all is now forgiven, she likes me again. A Stag can be a 'she' can't it? Twisted choke cable sorted and she running quite sweetly again. Even sorted the non functioning power steering. I had originally reassembled the pinion barrel 180 deg out of position, doh! Three hours last night to dismantle, correct and reassemble. Two hours tonight disengaging the lower steering UJ which was engaged one spline out from allowing the clamping bolt through and reassembling correctly. A quick whiz around the block, all's well.
Now Bruce, for the electrics...
John4D