Leif,
I think that Justin hit the nail on the head. Thoroughly go through your
electrics. If you don't...it will cost you in the long run in many ways.
To get a wiring diagram, to understand the electrical system on your
car....BUY A MANUAL. These are available from the Big Three (Moss, TRF,
and VB). Become familiar with these companies...I can't find a business
card in my wallet half of the time, but I can find my Moss customer number
card every time (Not that I need too..I know it by rote). Get parts
catalogs from the big three. They are full of advice and have lots of
exploded diagrams. Trace out your electrical system against
themanual,...look at the parts catalogs,...see if your car has all of the
pieces and parts.
Personally, after years of experience...the FIRST thing I usually do when I
purchase a TR (assuming of course its a runner) is to 1) Replace battery if
over 1 year old, 2) Replace/rebuild generator and replace electrical
regulator together, 3) replace wiring harness, 4)replace battery cables.
Some might say...That is unnecessary/overly expensive and of course it may
be, but then again...I have seen nicely restored cars that have caught fire
and burned because the owner decided that a new harness was an unnecessary
expense and his rat's nest harness would see him through for a few more
years. Years ago, as a poor college student and very fledgling TR
mechanic, I was almost financially crippled by replacing numerous
generators and batteries over a two year period because the regulator was
burning them up. Then replacing the generator and having that burn the
regulator up...ad naseum. Those electrical components could have bought a
LOT of beer. I have been stranded w/o lights/power too many
times, push-started the car too many times, received too many tickets, and
been hit in the ass end twice because my brake lights went Tango Uniform at
the wrong time. The moral of the story I suppose, is...Hey what am I
rambling on about?
It sounds as if you're fairly new to the game. Get a manual. Get the
proper components. If you are going to keep the harness, properly repair
it with heat shrink tubing over soldered wires, and ensure that ALL grounds
points are cleaned as well as all connections. If nothing else, if the
harness is crumbling or too much trouble, get a new one. In many cars,
this simple replacement is one of the single most beneficial improvements
one can make to their car. "Gee, the lights ARE a lot brighter and you
don't have to slap the _______ to get it to work".
Also, don't forget about the possibility of a conversion to an alternator.
Get the solenoid as per stock (yours was missing?), they are
one of the nicest things about a TR. Also, don't ever hesitate to ask for
advice.
Paul A. Carson Triumph TR-4A (CTC
78299LO)
SOFPARS Field Engineer RAF Mildenhall, England
pcarson@lcfh.demon.co.uk
"A plan is not a plan until it's too late to make changes"
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