The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I thought I labelled everything when I took the dash out but have some issues now it's all back in.

The fuel gauge does not read, the choke light does not come on or the handbrake light. I though initially maybe the earths for these are connected but looking at the wiring diagram I would say not.
All working ok before it was taken out.

separate issues do you think or related ?

I would say separate issues, the fuel guage earths at the tank, the choke cable (I think) through the cable itself and the handbrake light at the lever.
I have had a couple of problems with the big plug on the back of the warning light cluster but that would not affect the fuel guage.
Sorry but I think you are going to have to do this the hard way, tracing each circuit in turn.

Steve

Hi Mike, There is actually one rather subtle common connection. Can you have a look-see at the white wire on the fuse box that goes to an in-line splice. ( Not sure where this is physically) . It eventually connects down to the Handbrake switch, the choke warning light but you may also have problems with the IGN warning light , the low-fuel warning light and the Battery gauge. Note the error in the Sprint wiring diagram in the AKM 3529 workshop manual in this area . The brake failure warning light circuit is just wrong. As shown it puts a short circuit on this supply
HTH,
Tony.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

The choke was down to a connection issue, namely the numpty forgot to check it was properly connected

Checked the fuel gauge again and all seems to be connected ok but that still does not work. Fuel warning light is on as well but I am sure it's not that low. Gauge does not move at all.

I haven't really touched anything to do with the handbrake except the light cluster. Pushed that on and off a couple of times so connections seem ok as other lights are working.

I'll have to check back to the handbrake now for voltage.
Not been on a run due to the weather so I could do with checking the temp gauge is ok. I have 11.5 on one side of the voltage stabiliser and 9.5 the other.

Mike

Could you take the fuel gauge out and put 12 v across the terminals - this should make the needle move.

Paul

Give the front to rear loom connector behind the parcel tray on t he passenger side a wiggle...

You an also try earthing out the gauge wire in the boot while looking through the back window to see if the gauge moves.

Jonners

The gauge moved to full when I put an earth at the sender connection.

The handbrake is a white lead as far as I can tell on the diagram. All items routed to white work so if the white connection dot on the diagram is a connection on the car then I assume it could be this. I found a white lead in the connector at the steering side and that gave me 12v both sides. No reading at the lever. I will check on the passenger side Jon.

So the connector is good then and so is the gauge....you have a sunk float or duff sender.

Jonners

2 out of 3 sorted now. Hopefully I am on a roll .

Just the handbrake light remains an issue.
I could not see a white wire in the footwell Jon at the connector.
No voltage at the handbrake.
12v at the white wire on the back of the cluster gauge.
Worked ok before I took the dash out as far as I recall.

It's really annoying how much time you can waste on the little issues.

Mike

Look for a Black / white cable on the right hand side of the gearbox tunnel - this cable goes to the handbrake, there are other cables within this loom - these go to the seat belt switches.

Paul

My wiring looks original but I have a white wire out of the back of the warning cluster with a black ring tag on it. At the handbrake it is black and purple. This does not match up with the wiring diagram I have.

I can't get a reading puncturing the wire near the bulkhead and then it runs in to the main loom. Where do I go from there ?

Should I have 12v on the wire at the handbrake ?

cracked it.
Realised the switch is earth not live. Pulled the switch out and checked the wire with a feed.
Switch worn so I dismantled it and found a copper rivet the same side. Light now comes on.

It's just weird how it happened at the same time as the dash came out.

80Sprint wrote: At the handbrake it is black and purple. This does not match up with the wiring diagram I have.

Mike

Check mine today and the colour of the cable to my hand brake is black / purple. Looking at the wiring diagram the only cable coloured black / purple was used to feed the brake failure switch and then to earth (when fitted).

Paul

That's what puzzled me. Another error in the manual then. We should have sticky on manual errors.