Alfa Pages

[Brit01]

As we all know these old alfas suffer from grounding issues.

I have some new battery leads and starter motor leads in the post.

BUT what issues i have is related with the indicators.

When they are blinking, it sometimes goes erratic. i measured the ground wire directly from the pin connector on the steering column.
It measures 0.01 volts on and off.


ALSO my lamps on the oil pressure and temp gauges dim on and off as the indicators tick. I connected a thick earth from the body to the earth on the gauges and made no difference. Still dim on and off.

Could this all be related with the battery negative lead to the body?

I will also try attaching an extra ground cable from the dash cluster circuit board.
_________________
S2 33 1988 1.7 QV
Dellorto DRLA40 (32mm venturi)

[Bobkelso]

Hi Brit,
probably I'm wrong but did you already verified the ground of
the indicators (I mean the part of the "ground line" near the indicators)?

I usually solve in that way similar issue with italian cars (fiat /alfa),
the ground contacts near the indicators/light get oxidated
(you know cheap metals and methods were used at that years) and
strange things arrive..after inspection there and polishing get it right..
_________________
Alfa 33

[Brit01]

Thanks Bob yes I did.

Probed right into the pin and it showed 0.01 volts on and off as it worked.
Even when I attached a new ground wire.

I will check the relay next.
Maybe replace it.
_________________
S2 33 1988 1.7 QV
Dellorto DRLA40 (32mm venturi)

[paulhide]

Points to check with indicators are the earthing points on the rear lights and fuse connectors. Also make sure no hairline fractures on fuse. I think indicators are fuse 8.
_________________
Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

[Brit01]

Thanks Paul. I will check those connectors at the rear (and the fuses).
_________________
S2 33 1988 1.7 QV
Dellorto DRLA40 (32mm venturi)

[Brit01]

[Oggie]

The earthing points are on a circular connector that sits on on of the 6 bolts that hold the light clusters , if you have had any new paint spraying around these area's that could stop a decent connection.
_________________
PHAT 33

[Brit01]

Great.

Found the 2 earthing points!

One side had paint on it underside) and the circle bit was all corroded.
Didn't have any paper with me at work so gave it a temporary clean, scrape with some screwdrivers and wipe.

Tomorrow I'll sand them clean and use some contact cleaner.

Found the relay also.

I'm also thinking the positive supply to the gauges are supplied from the same supply that feeds the relay for the indicators (hence the dimming as they tick!). No?

ah one more thing.

The glowing battery light when I switch more things on. Really annoying.
Alternator charges fine. Battery over 14 volts.

Now could this be caused by bad wiring from the alternator to the starter motor and from there to the batter? Replace these for newer thicker gauge wires?
_________________
S2 33 1988 1.7 QV
Dellorto DRLA40 (32mm venturi)

[BigAl]

Brit, I'm not sure if it's tha same on the ser 2, but on my ser 3 I got a switched power from a pink wire that is normally used for the Alfa controll, I also took a tap from the cigar lighter light for the dial lights
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

[Brit01]

Not sure mate.

but I think I will do that and take the cig lighter power for the gauges as currently my gauges tell me when I'm indicating as they flash when I turn! LOL (what colour was that btw?)

Got a lot of gremlins in the wiring to fix!

New negative battery cables on there way also.

Rear fog lights next. Think I might fix them up to the same relay for the front fog lights I installed.

I think they are the yellow/black wires (these were burnt out near the fusebox and never knew where they went but today when I was looking at the rear light ground connectors I saw the yellow/black wires going to the most inner light (fog light I think).
_________________
S2 33 1988 1.7 QV
Dellorto DRLA40 (32mm venturi)

[BigAl]

last post shows the connectors I'm on about
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5752&highlight=connector
Use a piggy back spade connector to your dials, no need to cut any of the original loom, just remove the spade, push on your piggy back spade on your gages and then push back on the old connector:)
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

[Brit01]

The original spades are very long that fit into the plastic connectors.
My piggy back spade are much smaller.
haven't got much choice here. Not sure if I'd find the type that goes into those connectors here.


btw : my headlight cluster light just started working while I was coming home
_________________
S2 33 1988 1.7 QV
Dellorto DRLA40 (32mm venturi)

[paulhide]

One of the 8 amp fuses also deals with headlight cluster display. The contact points for the fuses in the fusebox can become greasy on series 2 cars as can the ends of the fuses themselves. The fuses can also have hairline fractures which are difficult to see and cause intermittant problems. It may be worth checking these/cleaning them up/replacing fuses.
_________________
Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

[Brit01]

well my indicator has been erratic for years now.
But this weekend I switched the parking light on and a loud buzzing sound came from the relay!!

Got myself a new relay today and it sounds like a modern car indicator/ticking.
Smooth and musical! Lol.
Big improvement.
_________________
S2 33 1988 1.7 QV
Dellorto DRLA40 (32mm venturi)