This afternoon, I set about replacing the Kienzle clock, which was working intermittently, with a new Smiths clock. The instructions for the new clock state that I need to connect both a +'ve & -'ve terminal to the back but the original clock only has a connection for the +'ve. I connected this to the new clock but it didn't work. To test that I had power, I re-connected the old clock and that didn't work. I then pushed the bulb holder in and it started working! My question is, does the new clock need to have the bulb holder fitted in order to work? I can't use the old one, as it's a different size and before I start cutting wires, I want to know if it's needed for the running of the new clock. I'd be grateful for any advice.
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Originally posted by Carlton View Post
From what you say you just need to earth it and that's whats happening when you fit the bulb holder.
Ian.Wise men ignore the advice of fools, but fools ignore the advice of wise men sigpic -
Thanks for that Ian. What confused me (it doesn't take much!) was that the new bulb holder is plastic, whereas the old one is metal. I'm afraid that wiring is not my strong point!Comment
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Just get some cable and attach it to the clock earth to the metal work of the car or pick up on an earth on the wiring somewhere. Do the same with the earth for the lamp.Originally posted by Carlton View Post
Ian.Last edited by milothedog; 4 July 2015, 19:56.Wise men ignore the advice of fools, but fools ignore the advice of wise men sigpicComment
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Just run a wire to earth and connect it to the -ve terminal.
Edit: Too slow!ZF 4 spd box, Datsun shafts, SS exhaust, 38DGMS weber 158.9bhp, BMW MC Tomcat seatssigpicComment
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Thanks Ian. Will give it a go.Comment
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Thanks for that Kevin.Comment
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Earth wire is black, light wire is red/white....Comment
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Do I have to cut off the old bulb holder and attach the black wire to the negative terminal on the back of the clock or do I just connect the new bulb holder using one wire to the black and the other wire to the red/white. Sorry if I'm a bit slow to pick this up but wiring confuses the hell out of me!Comment
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Is the clock casing plastic or metal ? If metal it should have a connecter for the earth wire and the light will go into a metal tube. If its plastic the light will need a separate earth wire. I'm not near my garage so cant take photos for ya.....
"I'm not an auto electrician. Just years of bodging experience .."
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The original clocks had earthed cases.
Since the new clock has a separate insulated terminal for the - NEG connection that means that the case may not be earthed. So to get the bulb working you may need a two-wire bulb holder.
But, if the NEG connection is just a tab welded to the case then the case is earthed.Comment
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It seems to be the same as the Kienzle clock; metal case with metal light tube but the new bulb holder is plastic with two thin black wires coming from it.Comment
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As Milo says, one of the wires for the bulb holder need to be earthed. The other connects to the red/white wires circuit.Comment
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Do you think I should just cut off the old bulb holder and attach the new holder, attaching one wire to black and one to red/white? If the clock still doesn't work, should I then connect an earth wire to the negative terminal? I'm just worried that I might damage the clock somehow. I'm not too concerned about having the clock illuminated, I just want it ticking!Comment
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To get the clock working then, just connect the clock + to the red/white wire; then the clock - to the black (earth wire). The clock will not work unless you make both connections.
Provided the clock is NEG earth you should be OK.
Then sort out the bulb when you have done that. I dont like cutting original wires, I would rather leave the old holder in place, clipped up out of the way, then attach some new wires.Comment
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