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Wiring Nightmare

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Earl

Earl

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After 15 years of sitting in my garage, my sons and I have rebuilt our 61 TR3A. It's just been painted and looks great. We've started reconnecting the wires. We've got the horns and the wipers working. But we are having one heck of a time with the headlights and the turn signals. So far we havent even started with the rear. Can anyone send me a diagram of how the light wiring is supposed to be run. I've checked the lights by supplying 12v to the leads and all the bulbs light, so I know that much is good. But I cant find the cables that have voltage when I pull the switch for the lights.
Also we have two switches on the dash for lights. Is the middle one just for the dash lights and the lower for running and head lights?

Thanks
 
We have a 63 TR3B. We are putting in a new harness. We got a colorized wiring diagram from John Anastasio at www.ClassicCarWiring.com. This diagram is straight from the original manual, unfortunately John knows knowing about the TR3 wiring. I have asked him several questions, 1 relating to tail lights, which are not depicted as being seperate from the turn signals. I have the same problem you do and am waiting for the most tech guys to call back. The color diagram is very useful for other parts of the car especial the dashboard panel.If you have figured out how to wire up the tail lights, let me know. We are also working on wiring the running/fog lights if you know anything. Question for you-do you have a heater, if so how is it wired up.

Good luck with your car.
 
And another here: https://www.britishv8.org/techhome.htm

You will want to be sure that you have the diagram for your Triumph -- based on commission number rather than 'year'. For installing a harness I find the literal diagrams (the ones that are laid out like the car) are easier... for trouble shooting the logical diagrams are helpful (provided all wires are correct color).

If you are working with an old patched-up wiring harness you may find it much easier to install a new correct harness... with that the wiring is simple and predictable.

Know too that the harness is designed to work with both RHD and LHD cars so there is at least on used connection on the right front of the engine compartment.

Yes, 2 light switches on the center panel. The 'Panel' switch turns on the instrument lights, but only when thw side (parking) lamps or head lamps are also on. On your car this switch is probably a rheostat.

As you probably noticed, the headlamp switch is a 2-position switch. Pull for side lamps, turn and pull some more for head lamps.
 
I'm with you on the wiring... I've just started the radiator R&R on my '59 TR3. Imagine my surprise when the front turn signal lights, which I labeled black, black and black, turn out, on further investigation, to actually be black, red, and green. No mention of that, though, in the B&W factory wiring diagram.
 
[ QUOTE ]
...Imagine my surprise when the front turn signal lights, which I labeled black, black and black, turn out, on further investigation, to actually be black, red, and green.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you look even closer you should find a tracer stripe on that green wire and it makes a difference (left vs right) what color that stripe is. My B&W diagrams show wire colors using the standard Lucas letter code.
 
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