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TR4/4A [2] TR4 Wiring Questions

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SCguy

SCguy

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I've finished wiring my TR4. Everything works! Here are my questions:

1. The red light on the dash lights up while starting the car, then goes out. At night when I turn on my lights while the car is running, the red light glows again, not as bright? Is this normal?

2. My turn signals work... but here's what's happening. I turn on a signal, hear a click from the relay (the green light also flashes). I only hear the click once and see one green flash. The turn signals (front and rear) continue to flash at a fast pace. Is this normal? I kind of suspect that my new relay is not working properly.
 
1. Not unusual...but does the igntion light continue to glow faintly regardless of engine speed at night w/lights? If so, maybe your generator is a bit weak. I know Lucas generators aren't known for high output, but I can run the Herald for hours at night with halogen headlights, radio, wipers and heater blower all going merrily along...and not see any glow from the IGN light. (NOTE: original but rebuilt generator, and fairly new regulator.)

2. Is it an original (type) flasher, or a generic parts store replacement? What you describe could have something to do with that, as originals depend on a specific load (or something like that...help me out, Randall or others). Also, make sure that green is on the B post, light green/purple is on the P post and green/brown is on the L post.
 
The red, or ignition ligh,t will come on when starting the car and will indicate non charging condition. It should go off when the engine is running. If it glows when the lights are turned on and the engine is running I'd think there is a slight discharge. I'd check the generator and voltage regulator for proper output. Do you have lights (halogens?) which might draw more power than the original headlights?
Bob
 
OK... red light is acting correctly, glows when starting. That the only time.

My flashers must be the relay. It's new, from Moss, but I've had a ton of new relays give me trouble before in my TR6.

I'm going to try to have a local shop do an alignment this week and then it's off for the DMV to get it registered for the first time in about 18 years!
 
When I replaced the generator with an altenator in my TR3 I noticed my gen light slightly illuminated at night but this was due to the increased dash lighting reflected thru the warning light. The dash lights really glow. Not sure how your set up works but that could be the problem.
 
Andrew Mace said:
1. Not unusual...but does the igntion light continue to glow faintly regardless of engine speed at night w/lights? If so, maybe your generator is a bit weak.
Click to expand...
The "ignition" light is an "all or nothing" thing when indicating generator problems; once the cutout contacts in the control box close, both sides of the warning light are connected to the battery regardless of whether the generator is keeping up with the load or not.

So, if the light actually glows (as opposed to other lights shining through the red lens), it has to be voltage drop in the wiring, or ignition switch, or control box. One side of the light is connected to the battery through the ignition switch, while the other is connected to the battery through the cutout contacts.
 
Andrew Mace said:
2. Is it an original (type) flasher, or a generic parts store replacement? What you describe could have something to do with that, as originals depend on a specific load (or something like that...help me out, Randall or others). Also, make sure that green is on the B post, light green/purple is on the P post and green/brown is on the L post.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I missed this before. The original flashers are "load sensitive", so the problem might be too little or too much load. Perhaps you've mixed turn and marker light filaments ? Could also be a bad connection somewhere, or even a wire corroded inside it's jacket.

Or possibly the flasher itself is incorrect. I've seen a lot of wrong flashers being sold as correct, so that might well be the problem. Even Moss may have gotten caught by the flasher maker claiming compatibility when it's not.
The Tridon EL13 is the only aftermarket flasher I've found that works correctly (and of course it doesn't look original, lacks a mounting tab, and doesn't fit the clip found on some cars very well).

On my TR3A, I finally got disgusted and rewired the bulb on the dash so it would work with the common aftermarket 3-terminal thermal flashers.
 
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