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TR4/4A New 1961 TR4 questions

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Chasman3

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I just bought a 61 TR4 The car is exceptionally preserved with 1 respray. Whoever owned this car before the last owner knew what he had. It has a 5 speed Toyota conversion. I bought it without inspection only from high res images and video. A risk. But I’m blown away, especially how it got to Illinois from Texas during last weeks storms Another whole topic on shipping cars.

But I have an electrical issue. Initislly no turn, wiper, blower or headlights. I checked the fuses and after checking, all working but headlights. The former owner said check the dimmer (dipper). I used a test light and had power at all 3 when light switch is on. The main beam dash stays on regardless of pressing the switch. I have power at the left high and low when the headlight switch is on. But lamp is out, Same on the right.

My assessment is the dimmer switch is bad. The headlight switch works because if I push in to park, I lose test light at the front plugs to the headlamps.

is it possible that both beams are out? Crazy but the car has upgraded alternator.

I’d sure like to track down the prior owner. It has BMH certificate that was issued in 1990.

Thanks
 
I found interesting history from the original owner. Interestingly new sleeves, .020 pistons, cam, crank, bearings, were replaced at 25,635 miles. The head was also reworked. That was 1990. Notes only nothing else to verify. Then 750 miles later, timing chain and sprockets. I found this in his maintenance notes in his shop manual. Sadly he passed in 2011. A WWII veteran and electrical engineer for 40 years. He had more than one Triumph.
 
There is such a thing as spray contact oil that will clean switches. get some!!
Go around the car and refresh every grounding connection with di-electric grease.Then replace all
the jointing connectors with new ones and grease each in its turn. Very soon all the bits will have 12 volts
and then you can track any faults that remain. I personally like to install a fuse in the brown power wire
so as to protect the under dash wiring from shorts"fire bad".
Mad dog
 
I purchased a dimmer switch from Moss. I was disappointed to see it has screw connectors vs spade like the original. I was going to make some jumpers to avoid cutting my original wires. But after I removed the dimmer and gently tapping it, the sound changed when depressing. I thought I’d test it. Sure enough headlights! Interestingly I had power to both high and low at the same time with the test light before I did this but no headlights. Both circuits have to be independent and if not, lights will not work. I purchased some sealed beams too but now will just set them on the shelf! I missed these technical British projects!!!
 
Chas , I think you are finding out that Lucas is not too mysterious, when you give it some love.
Most of the switches ,when cleaned, will work as new 60 years on.
As I said ,take some time and go connection by connection including the grounds! Many times
grounding problems drive systems to fail .
 
Interestingly, albeit it was younger, I never ever had trouble with my MGB. But that car was never trailered halfway across the USA! And by what I believe a Mongolian who couldn’t speak any English! But it spent 2 years in a body shop. The wiring is simple on these cars IMO. For me, I’d be lost without a test light.
 
mctriumph said:
Chas , I think you are finding out that Lucas is not too mysterious, when you give it some love.
Most of the switches ,when cleaned, will work as new 60 years on.
As I said ,take some time and go connection by connection including the grounds! Many times
grounding problems drive systems to fail .
Click to expand...
What he said! And think about where that dimmer switch is located: near the floor and the wet feet, carpeting, etc. over the past 60 years, and...

For all the "bad press" Lucas has gotten over the years, my experience has been that 98% of it is bunk. On the other hand, those of you who have owned Belgian-assembled Volvos or Saabs likely are very familiar with all sorts of grounding and other electrical issues! :oops:
 
Andrew Mace said:
What he said! And think about where that dimmer switch is located: near the floor and the wet feet, carpeting, etc. over the past 60 years, and...

For all the "bad press" Lucas has gotten over the years, my experience has been that 98% of it is bunk. On the other hand, those of you who have owned Belgian-assembled Volvos or Saabs likely are very familiar with all sorts of grounding and other electrical issues! :oops:
Click to expand...
Agree on the bunk. There’s a reason they used the connectors. Wise and efficient assembly and disassembly. I like it. And all works. It’s 63 years old and I’m 69. And everything I have works too I’m happy to say.
 
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