TR5/TR250 Wiring/Electrical Mystery Worked Perfect Then Not

[Got_All_4]

It's been a long time coming. Last December I started on a overdrive install and a steering column rebuild and along with a few other problems I found the car is drivable now. Installed a modern radio over the weekend and before I buttoned it up by installing the Kidney style speaker panels I tested all the lights, turn signals and 4way flashers. All worked as they should. Went to take the car for a drive and no lights at all in the rear of the car. No backup, running lights, side markers or stop lights. Also the fuel gauge is not working now. The lights in the front of the car are all fine. Did some tracing tonight and there is 10.6 volts coming out of the voltage stabilizer. Power at the 3 way connections from the turn switch. Even out of the brake switch. Just nothing makes it back to the rear of the car. Checked fuses firsts and good. Any ideas where to go next?

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Mornin'!

My guess would be a ground issue, especially since the trouble is all at the rear. Maybe a common ground connection for all the lights has been disturbed...

 

[charleyf]

When these cars sit for awhile the fuse ends can get corroded and the contacts and fuse ends need to be cleaned. Hopefully you checked both ends of the fuses for power not just the fuse.
Charley

 

[Got_All_4]

I did and pulled out each fuse and checked them individually too. There was a TR6 in one of my customers today being restored and I looked at the harness under the dash. (The dash was out). I believe my 250 has the same connection where the rear harness plugs into the front section. I may have rolled over it working underneath and pulled it out. That may explain why everything in the rear quit working at the same time. I'll check later tonight.

 

[Got_All_4]

Wala! That's what it was. Must have been vibration over the years and when I push the main harness back into one of the metal tabs I probably pulled on it and pulled it out of the terminal. Never felt anything that's why I say vibration over the years working it's way out. Zip tied it so this doesn't happen again.

 

[charleyf]

Wala! That's what it was. Must have been vibration over the years and when I push the main harness back into one of the metal tabs I probably pulled on it and pulled it out of the terminal. Never felt anything that's why I say vibration over the years working it's way out. Zip tied it so this doesn't happen again.

Congratulations.
Charley