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All,
I own a 1980 5-spd 900T with 82K original miles. I've been working my way through a frustrating electrical issue and need some suggestions/expertise.
Currently the car starts and runs fine - but tach, temp, fuel gauges are all at zero and turn signals, wipers, 3-swpd interior fan are all inoperative immediately. Additionally, the caution lights do not illuminate when the key is inserted and turned to start the car. The battery light (and light to the left of it) will illuminate within 5-10 mins of starting the car. During the last week everything would work fine when I started the car in the am to go to work (car was cold). The car sits out in the Florida sun during the day. When I start it to drive home at the end of the day all of the symptoms appear immediately.
Background Info: A couple of months ago the battery light (and the unmarked red light to the left of it) would glow faintly and then illuminate full bright. Additionally, the tach, fuel and temp gauges would drop to zero and the turn signals, wipers, cruise ctrl and 3-spd interior fan would stop working. The headlights still worked and I found that if I toggled the brights I could get the battery and adjacent warning lights to extinguish and the gauges would spring back to life. I replaced the voltage regulator on the Motorola alternator (old one was crystalized inside) but it didn't solve the problem. Also had the alternator checked when the car was exhibiting these symptoms - no output from the alternator. Installed a new alternator this week because of the number of diode issues I've read about that appear when temps rise. Ironically my old alternator tested fine on the bench when I turned it in. Also have tested the ground wire from the alternator to the mounting bracket - resistance was ~ 0.2 ohms. I had the new alternator checked after I installed it and it is working fine. Incidentally, the the battery light was illuminated when the new alternator was checked and all of the above mentioned systems were inoperative. I also swapped the ignition lock relay with the lamda relay - still no joy. I've never had an issue with a weak battery in the past year.
The only maintenance in/around the dash was done late last fall when my indy shop fixed the instrument lights by bypassing the rheostat.
I appreciate any guidance that anyone can provide. Additionally, any recommendations for mechanics in my area would be welcomed. I know of Automotive Alternatives in Panama City (100 miles from me) but I was hoping there might be someone closer. Many thanks in advance for your help.
Mark M
Pensacola, FL
posted by 12.202.59...
, Sun, 2 Sep 2007 15:06:19
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