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Mystery light on dash [BN7]

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TimK

TimK

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On the right side of my dash (to the right of the heater controls is a rather large light with a jeweled lense that is amber in color. It has flickered on and gone out quickly on very few occasions with nothing of note happening at the time. Does anyone know what this is for?
 
Pictures of the light would help. It would also help if you followed the wire to it's destination. It could be a primative seat belt warning light or any manner of "idiot" light. Sounds way "aftermarket" but also sounds pretty cool. I like <span style="text-decoration: underline">mystery</span> lights. Be prepared to have this mystery resolved though... if that's what you seek. Sometimes the unknown is more fun than the known.
 
I do not have a website from which to post an image. But you did make me go trace the wire and it goes to the overdrive switch. Therefore, I surmise it must be an overdrive on/off indicator, probably aftermarket, that does not function hardly at all. In the last 26 years it has gone on for maybe a total of 5 seconds. Thanks for the response.
 
IMG_0800.jpg


I'm trying to see if I can post photos from Photobucket.
THis is the light and it is connected to the OD switch, but is poorly grounded so doesn't work right. Who needs it anyway?? It's obvious by looking at the switch and by feeling it go into OD and by the engine speed vs. MPH.
 
Tim,

Pretty cool looking old light. First I thought it may be for oil pressure till I read it is inline with you OD. I can tell you that on my car there is a knob that has a pump action simular to that of a squirt gun that pumps the windshield washer fluid. The hole is about the same size as that light so you could probably reinstall the pump if you wanted to. If you look on the back right corner of the parcel shelf located below the dash you will see about a 3" hole that a plastic windshield washer fluid bottle rest in. and a hose runs from the bottle to the pump and to the washer nozzels

Bob
 
That's a good idea. I did notice that in the Moment/Anderson Restoration Guide that many cars had the the washer fluid pull knob right where the light is. I don't have those parts so would have to scavenge some up.
 
timk, that light looks very much like an "on" lamp for an old fender guitar amp, im guessing the/a p.o. installed it to remind himself not to go in reverse while o.d. switch is on, might have once learned the hard way. :savewave:
 
That's a good guess, it does look like something from the 50's.
 
Tim--

I owned a new BN7 in 1961 and installed a similar light, though I believe I mounted it between the OD switch and the key. I wired it from the relay (not the switch) as a positive indicator of whether or not the OD circuit was in fact "made" regardless of the switch position.

A kid can't have too many lights!
 
Tim,
Depending on how it is wired, would help to determine why the PO would have it installed. If the permissive switch that allows the OD to only engage in 3rd and 4th gear is bypassed, the PO may have elected to install this to remind him/her that the OD is engaged. This would not create a problem with the permissive circuit working, since it will automatically disengage the OD once you come out of 3rd or 4th gear. However, if your permissive switch is bypassed OD will be could engaged in any selected gear position.

If the permissive switch is wired in was not making up consistantly, maybe the PO wanted an indicator to see that the permissive switch has successfully made contact, allowing the OD to be engaged.

Not sure if this helps....just my thoughts.....Tony
 
That's good thinking, but the light is simply wired to the OD on/off switch. The "permissive" switch was working when I got the car and it still is (it only engages in 3rd & 4th.) But your logic makes more sense for how the light could be used. I had an MGB racer that was set up to use OD in 2nd, 3rd, & 4th. It maintained a lockout for 1st and reverse -- I don't remember how.
 
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