Instrument cluster, and a little advice on putting the car away for winter.

[jefferdp]

Gent's

I seem to have 2 lights on the instrument panel which I do not know what they do. The first one is the large red bulb between the 2 speed/rev units, the bulb works and has wires attached but whats it for? The second one is the small light on the right side of the heater controls. As before bulb fine and wires connected. So can someone explain what they are for? I have gone over the electrics of the whole car now and everything works fine so confused about these two bulbs.

Lastly as this is my first year with a Stag, I would like a little advice on what I should do when I put it way for 4-5 month over the winter? One person insisted that I should "drain the coolant out of it" before it goes away. Is this true? I have a 76 water cooled Suzuki GT750 which also has aluminium heads and I don't have to do anything as drastic with it over winter.

Just need some standard advice on what is best for it over the Winter period.

Thanks for any help on either of the issues above.

Regards Dean.

[Hettiherald]

Hi dean.
Is it a mk 1 or mk2?
The light by the heater controls is probably the heated rear screen light, for when the hard top is on. If a mk1 the dash light is the brake warning light, or a mk 2 the seatbelt warning light, the brake light is on the lower right of the dash on a mk 2 .
I would keep the coolant in if it was mine, making sure it is the correct strenth and not too old, if in doubt, drain and put new in . No coolant would allow corrosion to set in in the damp condition of freshly drained cooling system.
Dave

[DJT]

Dean,

The large red bulb between the speedo and tachometer is the brake warning light. It should come on dim (to prove the bulb works) when the ignition is switched on the go out when the engine starts. If it comes on when the engine is running it means that you have an imbalance in the brake circuits that needs sorting.

The small, green lamp beside the heater controls is for the heated rear screen. The switch is the large one immediately above it.

Both of these are described in the handbook.

[Essex Stag]

Firstly the bulbs I think the large red light in the centre of the dash is probably a brake warning light if a Mk1 . Mine a MK2 1977 has the seat belt warning light there. The other light beside the heater controls I think maybe green it is the heated rear window warning light which should be operated by the pull out switch beside it.
As for laying the car up DON'T. there is a big argument among classic car owners use or store in the winter . I always carry on using all my classics though the winter if the roads are salt free and dry and no rain forecast . I does them good to be run regularly all year round . I certainly will not lay my Stag up after sorting all the bad connections on the electrics to let them corrode up again. Use it and enjoy . They have a fantastic heater so why pack it away. Regular use keeps them aired keeps the metal moth away keeps the electrics operational you lay it up and in March you will be back on here with all sorts of bad connection problems unless it is in a heated garage with not moisture . Also if you still pay road tax you will lose out unless you SORN and return the disc you will still have to keep it insured unless SORNED which obviously is a good idea . some insurance companies do a reduced rate for stored classics. I am sure many will have other advice and other views.

[jefferdp]

Gent's

All brilliant replies, I have to say that this forum has be fantastic when it come to help.

Thanks again. Dean.