What is this Electrical "thing?"

[Cinbearcat83]

My brother and I are starting to tackle the wiring on the +2. The alternator is a Lucas 17ACR. The previous owner made some "workaround" wiring changes that we are trying to diagnose. I have attached two photos with questions:
1. Two wires off the alternator are (reddish/orange) are spliced together at the yellow connector. The wiring diagram shows separate circuits: one wire goes to the tach/coil, the other wire splices and runs to a brown/white that goes to four different circuits. How do we distinguish which wire from the alternator goes to which circuit?
2. The combined reddish/orange wire runs to an electrical "thing." What is this? See the second photo. Is this a regulator?

Thanks for your help,
Kevin

[shynsy]

Looks like a noise suppressor. Stops electronic noise making your radio buzz and crackle.
Tim

[ncm]

Hi Kevin,
If you remove the plug from the rear of the alternator you should find that the two "reddish/orange" wires are connected to the large spade terminals ( which are connected internally). These are the wires that connect to the brown/white that you have identified on the wiring diagram. The third wire from the smaller terminal ( looks to be a blue wire) should connect to a brown/yellow that runs to the ignition warning light.

Brian.

[Cinbearcat83]

Looks like a noise suppressor. Stops electronic noise making your radio buzz and crackle.
Tim

Thank you - I would have never guessed that! - Kevin

[Cinbearcat83]

Hi Kevin,
If you remove the plug from the rear of the alternator you should find that the two "reddish/orange" wires are connected to the large spade terminals ( which are connected internally). These are the wires that connect to the brown/white that you have identified on the wiring diagram. The third wire from the smaller terminal ( looks to be a blue wire) should connect to a brown/yellow that runs to the ignition warning light.

Brian.

Thank you. This is helpful - Kevin

[Andy8421]

Kevin,

At the risk of telling you something you already know, that wiring looks terrible. Many an Elan is now in the parking lot in the sky because of fires caused by wiring issues.

Depending on your plans, I would either start from scratch and replace the loom entirely, or if not, go through all the wiring cutting out all previous owner's bodges and replace to a good standard. Its often under the dash that the real horrors are lurking.

Regarding the 'thing' it looks to be an in-line suppressor to stop the annoying alternator whine that cheapo radios can pick up. Typically it would need to be earthed to work (hence the tag with a bolt hole). Throw it in the nearest bin, along with all the attached wiring. Although wimpy by modern standards, with a flat battery, headlights, heater and wiper on, a 17ACR will output 36 amps and the wiring attached to it needs to be able to carry at least that.

There are threads on here about replacing a dynamo with an alternator which may help.

Good luck.

[Elanman99]

I totally agree with what Kevin has said.

From what we can see in the picture the wiring is in a very poor state and if its not something that you are able to do then I would recommend getting professional help, preferably from someone with Lotus experience.

The workshop manual is a 'must-have' .

Ian

[Cinbearcat83]

Kevin,

At the risk of telling you something you already know, that wiring looks terrible. Many an Elan is now in the parking lot in the sky because of fires caused by wiring issues.

Depending on your plans, I would either start from scratch and replace the loom entirely, or if not, go through all the wiring cutting out all previous owner's bodges and replace to a good standard. Its often under the dash that the real horrors are lurking.

Regarding the 'thing' it looks to be an in-line suppressor to stop the annoying alternator whine that cheapo radios can pick up. Typically it would need to be earthed to work (hence the tag with a bolt hole). Throw it in the nearest bin, along with all the attached wiring. Although wimpy by modern standards, with a flat battery, headlights, heater and wiper on, a 17ACR will output 36 amps and the wiring attached to it needs to be able to carry at least that.

There are threads on here about replacing a dynamo with an alternator which may help.

Good luck.

Good feedback - thanks. Yes, the wiring at the alternator is a mess. We are attempting to figure out what the previous owner was trying to do. - Kevin

[Cinbearcat83]

I totally agree with what Kevin has said.

From what we can see in the picture the wiring is in a very poor state and if its not something that you are able to do then I would recommend getting professional help, preferably from someone with Lotus experience.

The workshop manual is a 'must-have' .

Ian

I agree it's in a very poor state. We do have a workshop manual. I am thankful to have my brother to assist me. He is a Master Automotive Technician and is a big help. - thanks for your comments. - Kevin