Re: 1979 Trouble Spitfire
Posted: Mon May 29, 2023 6:31 pm
I've been continuing with ripping as much of the aftermarket wiring out of this as I could.
I've removed the thermostat switch completely now.
20a rating or is it 16a rating? Who knows! It doesn't bode confidence on quality
Inside looked like the metal contact strip was permanently bent to open. I might have a fiddle another time to see if I can get this working again.
Ripped out the old relay and unused splice blocks
This unknown brown wire by the masters actually was one piece that did nothing. No idea of its original purpose. Certainly not factory though.
Then started wiring the fan in. I decided to use a relay in the end. Mostly as I had one and so I could use cheaper thinner wire to the dash switch.
The main feed to the fan is wired directly off the starter solenoid and through a 15A fuse. For the switch I used the always on fused purple circuit that is shared with the horns, interior fan blower and hazards. The clock had been badly wired in with uninsulated crimps and tape over the top. So I cut all this out and redid so I could tap the switch in.
As none of the aftermarket dash lights did nothing, I chose the red one (easiest to get to) as the fan on warning light.
This light and relay coil is through an additional 1A fuse. Just because it goes all over the place and offers better protection than the 17A fuse while allowing me to use thinner (cheaper) wiring.
It does work but the main factory fuse holder in the car seems to be problematic and so doesn't always kick in. I think the springiness of the contacts is lost and not grabbing them well.
Today I went off to a local classic car show. It was in a village park and a great selection of very varied cars turned up.
I arrived an hour late so snuck next to some other British Leyland shite.
I don't know why but this car does attract an awful lot of attention. Far more than any other of my classics I had on the road. Maybe because of the colour it catches peoples eye?
I'll upload all my photos later as I have loads but I'm being badgered by the other half to get up from the sofa and sort stuff.
I've removed the thermostat switch completely now.
20a rating or is it 16a rating? Who knows! It doesn't bode confidence on quality
Inside looked like the metal contact strip was permanently bent to open. I might have a fiddle another time to see if I can get this working again.
Ripped out the old relay and unused splice blocks
This unknown brown wire by the masters actually was one piece that did nothing. No idea of its original purpose. Certainly not factory though.
Then started wiring the fan in. I decided to use a relay in the end. Mostly as I had one and so I could use cheaper thinner wire to the dash switch.
The main feed to the fan is wired directly off the starter solenoid and through a 15A fuse. For the switch I used the always on fused purple circuit that is shared with the horns, interior fan blower and hazards. The clock had been badly wired in with uninsulated crimps and tape over the top. So I cut all this out and redid so I could tap the switch in.
As none of the aftermarket dash lights did nothing, I chose the red one (easiest to get to) as the fan on warning light.
This light and relay coil is through an additional 1A fuse. Just because it goes all over the place and offers better protection than the 17A fuse while allowing me to use thinner (cheaper) wiring.
It does work but the main factory fuse holder in the car seems to be problematic and so doesn't always kick in. I think the springiness of the contacts is lost and not grabbing them well.
Today I went off to a local classic car show. It was in a village park and a great selection of very varied cars turned up.
I arrived an hour late so snuck next to some other British Leyland shite.
I don't know why but this car does attract an awful lot of attention. Far more than any other of my classics I had on the road. Maybe because of the colour it catches peoples eye?
I'll upload all my photos later as I have loads but I'm being badgered by the other half to get up from the sofa and sort stuff.