David :
Unfortunately, just as in software, it frequently takes a good deal of
'scaffolding' to do component test of car parts. For starters, you need
a protected source of 12v DC, which can be as simple as a car battery
with a circuit breaker. I have an old variable DC power supply
(salvaged from the trash at a former employer) that is a permanent part
of my workbench. Note that many (most ?) battery chargers are not
suitable, as they don't deliver a clean 12v. However, Radio Shack and
such sell "battery eliminators" that will do, to some extent.
For the wiper motor, ideally you would want to check speed and torque,
but I just hook them up to 12v to be sure the motor runs smoothly. If
you don't have the drive cable attached, be sure to take out the link
between the cable and the gear !
For a simple "does it work at all" test on the gas gauge, you can
connect the power supply to the power terminal (sorry I don't recall how
it's identified) and the case. The gauge should read full. Then short
the sensing terminal to the case, the gauge should read empty. Of
course, to check the calibration, you'll need a 'known good' sending
unit, which gets connected between the sensing terminal and the case.
Note to listers with later cars, this does _not_ apply to cars with
voltage stabilizers (flat glass TR4 and later) !
The workshop manual gives some procedures for the major electrical
components.
In all honesty however, one of the appeals of the TR3 (to me anyway) is
it's extreme simplicity. The relation between subsystems is extremely
simple and well defined. Other than it's lack of fuses (which you can
work around by supplying a fuse or circuit breaker during testing) it
actually makes a pretty good test bed.
Or, to put it another way, while I recognize the value of component
test, given the choice of only component test or only system test, I'll
take system test every time !
Randall - embedded/real time systems programmer for too many years ...
David Templeton wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> Working in the software industry, I have always been taught to test
> individual components before final complete assembly. This ensures less
> variables when things go wrong upon final testing.
>
> With this in mind do listers have method for testing components in a TR3?
> Ie wiper motor, fuel sending unit etc?
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