Lotus Elan

voltage stabilizer no power

PostPost by: checkrail » Thu Nov 28, 2024 9:52 am

I've discovered that the wire feeding the 'B' terminal of the stabilizer has no power comeing from it, it is a two wire one with a spade terminal and looks to be a faded light green. It goes down into the harness
This explains why none of the gauges are working, I changed the stabilizer before I realised there was no power.
I can't see that wire on the +2 diagrams that I've got.

Any ideas please, Thanks very much John
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PostPost by: Andy8421 » Fri Nov 29, 2024 7:17 am

John,

The Elan had a pretty consistent wiring scheme throughout its life, for whatever reason the +2 did not. On the Elan, green is the general purpose switched supply, fed from the ignition switch via one of the two fuses. To get to the voltage stabiliser, it meanders around behind the dash and goes via a number of connectors - any of which could be at fault.

If you can give me the model / year of your car, I will see if I can find a wiring diagram to suit and have a look. It would be helpful to know how many fuses you have.

If you have a link to a wiring diagram you think actually applies to your car, that would be very helpful.

Andy.
68 Elan S3 HSCC Roadsports spec
71 Elan Sprint (still being restored)
32 Standard 12
Various modern stuff
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PostPost by: checkrail » Fri Nov 29, 2024 9:15 am

Andy
It's a 1971 S130 three fuse box model, the diagram that I have is the one in the Lotus workshop manual '+2 S with alternator' not exactly for a S130. The colours shown of the wires needless to say are not all the same as mine. The double one going to the 'B' on the stabilizer I'm sure is original because it is virtually grey in colour.

Thanks for trying to help. John
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PostPost by: Andy8421 » Fri Nov 29, 2024 11:20 am

John,

I had a quick look at a 3 fusebox +2 diagram. It would suggest power to the stabiliser is white (the B connection), and the feed from the stabiliser to the instruments is light green (the I connection), but as I mentioned, the +2 is known to be inconsistent.

Typically, the connections on the stabiliser are a mix of male and female. The B terminal on the stabiliser is male, and the I terminal female - I guess to avoid problems during construction. Is this how yours is arranged?

Has the wiring been messed about by a PO, or is it all original behind the dash, and have the gauges ever worked?

Andy.
68 Elan S3 HSCC Roadsports spec
71 Elan Sprint (still being restored)
32 Standard 12
Various modern stuff
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PostPost by: checkrail » Fri Nov 29, 2024 5:07 pm

I have fitted a Clocks4classics tacho conversion to suit my electronic dizzy, it works fine very pleased with it, just needed to join the two bullet connectors together from the old tacho internals.
The engine will run without any tacho fitted but I had some of the connections come off the stabilizer but I'm sure they are reconnected correctly
All the gauges have always worked up until now and I've checked all the fuses still need to find some power for the
'B' terminal
John
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PostPost by: pptom » Fri Nov 29, 2024 8:05 pm

John, I've been working on a plus 2 130s recently
Light green is the feed to the gauges (water temp and fuel) this takes its 10v from the voltage stabilizer so if it's unplugged then it won't read anything.
Not sure on the actual stabilizer contacts as I've done away with the original one and fitted a modern solid state unit
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PostPost by: Andy8421 » Sat Nov 30, 2024 2:42 pm

John,

Thanks for the info. Clearly something is adrift.

The wiring diagram and pptom's post indicate the green wire you have is the feed to the other instruments, and not the supply, which should be a white wire - but given it is a Lotus, anything could be going on.

What colour wires do you have connected to the stabiliser and to what connections?

Andy.
68 Elan S3 HSCC Roadsports spec
71 Elan Sprint (still being restored)
32 Standard 12
Various modern stuff
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