anti theft swich

[luffy]

Hi all
Although I brought my Elan S4 last year ,time has prevented me getting things done.
I now find the dynamo doesn't charge, (nothing on volt meter or ammeter) and the rev counter doesn't work either.
The wiring diagram talks about an anti theft switch? There is an array if extra switches mounted under the dash and I'm into finding where and what these do?
I must confess to not being an electrician so any advice needs to be simple
Thanks in anticipation

[john.p.clegg]

Try in the glovebox..

John

[pharriso]

Would this be better done by PM? Don't want to help thieves in the future

[luffy]

Hi John, yes there was a amber rocker switch in there but I don't know if it was connected, it has joined wires and an inline fuse.If it was connected and switched to go then I was lucky because the car runs. The wires are a nightmare and I've spent several days trying to chase them to and from destination.Theres loads not connected to anything and some joined by male and female spades and using different colour codes, so that doesn't help. But were getting there?

Thanks

[YellowS4DHC]

The wires are a nightmare and I've spent several days trying to chase them to and from destination.Theres loads not connected to anything and some joined by male and female spades and using different colour codes

Sounds like you have the usual assortment of electrical "fixes" and "mods" by the DPO.

This usually takes some time to sort out. But it's well worth your time to figure out exactly what was done and correct the stuff that looks suspicious (i.e., splices, cut wires, gobs of electrical tape, etc.).

Be sure to disconnect the battery before poking around in there, especially near the amp gauge. Wires coming off the amp gauge are hot and unfused.

Suggest you note the changes made (including your corrections) and generate an electrical wiring diagram specific to your car. You won't have to rely on your memory in the future and the next owner will definitely appreciate it.

Rick

[ElanDNA]

The wires are a nightmare and I've spent several days trying to chase them to and from destination.Theres loads not connected to anything and some joined by male and female spades and using different colour codes

Sounds like you have the usual assortment of electrical "fixes" and "mods" by the DPO.

This usually takes some time to sort out. But it's well worth your time to figure out exactly what was done and correct the stuff that looks suspicious (i.e., splices, cut wires, gobs of electrical tape, etc.).

Be sure to disconnect the battery before poking around in there, especially near the amp gauge. Wires coming off the amp gauge are hot and unfused.

Suggest you note the changes made (including your corrections) and generate an electrical wiring diagram specific to your car. You won't have to rely on your memory in the future and the next owner will definitely appreciate it.
Rick

Hi
It's correct what you say.I have cut all my wires together with a big wire-cutting pliers and then recycled.

Then I took a "Fuse-Box" from an Audi, designation "Relaisplatte
mit Sicherungshalter". OE 443 941 822A. Millionfold manufactured.
Now i had made a wiring diagram therefrom and from the car.
All material shopped. And now (1993) all wired in car.
The clovebox is somewhat smaler today, the beautycase from my wife too!!
I'm sorry for translation errors.

all wire "Front"

all wire "Rear"

[luffy]

Hi all
Thanks for your inputs.I was at Race Retro yesterday and found a company who made wireing looms for Elans and not bad prices, that may be an avenue to go down?

[Elanintheforest]

If your loom is really hacked about then a new one from a company like Autosparks is probably the way to go. Worth talking with Paul Matty, Sue Miller etc. to see what loom maker they recommend these days in case any better ones are on the market, but I doubt that there are. I've put Autosparks looms into an Elan, an E type and a Healey with absolutely no issues, and I'm no electrician! If you want others to be able to work on the car then a standard loom is a must.

Doing what ElanDNA has done would be great fun, but a nightmare for the next owner, and many companies won't touch a car with problems and custom looms. Auto-electricians love them though as there is huge opportunity to bring in many hours of work!
Mark

[luffy]

Hi Elan in the forest
Yes it was Autosparks I saw, seemed to really know what they were talking about. I was also unaware the colour coding was key to what device it went to i.e. Brown and yellow Dynamo etc. I have now printed a list from their website.
I may also sucum to a Dynalite and dummy regulator?

Cheers

Luffy

[Elanintheforest]

I think that Lucas developed the standard for colour coding wires back in the 50s or 60s, which does make things nice and easy. This MGB site gives a good explanation....

http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/colourcodes.htm

If you are keeping the car standard there is little point in 'upgrading' to an alternator. The dynamo and voltage regulators are very simple, and have been totally reliable in my cars.

Are you sure that you need a new loom? It's quite a big job to install, although if you want to restore the dash, and perhaps overhaul the heater and wiper motor, then it's a bit easier to justify. The standard loom does look like a bit of a bird's nest, especially behind the dash, and there seems little point in throwing it all away if it's just the security switch that's at fault.

It may be worth taking the car to a local Lotus specialist first, someone like Lakeside Engineering nr Woking would be pretty handy for you, and get them to get the car running and give you a report on the wiring loom, and anything else you may be worried about. That should give you a good prioritised list to work out what to do first.

http://www.lakesideengineering.com/

Mark

[alan.barker]

+1, still got Dynamo on my 1972 Sprint. No problems.
I think maybe on a +2S with a lot more electrics an Alternateur is an advantage.
Alan

[Elanintheforest]

An Alternateur, eh? Very Breton!

[alan.barker]

Alternator si tu veux.
Parler vous Fran?ais, i don't think so
I am English but i have lived in France for 24 years and sometimes words get mixed up, never mind/ temp pis.
Kenavo ar vechal
Alan

[luffy]

Had my head under the dash again today and I think its gonna be get a pro to do the wiring. there are so many wires cropped off and going nowhere.All seem to be pushed up under there! Wheres the brake light switch I ask myself? I see the handbrake switch. The wires are also hard so difficult to manipulate.Mmmmmmm

[ElanDNA]

Doing what ElanDNA has done would be great fun, but a nightmare for the next owner, and many companies won't touch a car with problems and custom looms. Auto-electricians love them though as there is huge opportunity to bring in many hours of work!
Mark

Hi Mark
In my fall I think, what you write is wrong.
A lot of Paper and work, but the next owner will be lucky, presupposed he isn't a analphabet.
The system is not perfect, but nearer at a international standard.
The security is much higer, as with the good old Elan plans.
And: the power goes over fuses and relay, not over the nice Lucas switch.
Before I done it, I had everytime a fire-extinguisher near by my seat. Since 1993 with installation the battery, the system runs without trouble! Any change is documented. Just right now I'm thereby to draw a newer, better
plan and so long the old one is good enugh.

P.S. Sorry for my english, my mother tongue is german.
Be not pedantic, the classical meaning of phrase is important.
Greetings Urs