The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

HI FOLKS,
OUT IN MY DOLLY 1850 LAST NIGHT AND WHEN I PUT MY HEADLIGHTS ON THE TEMP GAUGE GOES UP AND VOLTS GO DOWN
I HAVE SINCE FOUND THAT EVEN THE HRW OR THE HEATER BLOWER CAUSE THE SAME FAULT.
DOES NOT OVERHEAT AND HAVE CHECKED THE ALT AND IT IS CHARGING PERFECTLY.
IF NO ELECTRICS ARE BEING USED EVERYTHING IS OK.
ANY IDEAS
CHEERS,
TONY.

Tony

Check the all internal connections there are three connector blocks behind the dash and three at the bottom of the steering column - seem like a poor connection in one of these connectors and I'm going to say the ones at the back of the dashboard.

How's the fuel gauge performing does that alter when the headlights are on - the fuel & temp gauge are require a constant voltage the voltage regulator (next to the fuse box) gives this - if its faulty the fuel gauge and temp will give wrong readings ie 1/2 a tank of fuel, start the car up, registors half a tank then the needle drops back the zero ( no fuel in tank according to the gauge.

Paul

HI DAVE AND PAUL,
HAVE CHECKED ALL THE EARTHS AND THE VOLTAGE STABLISER ALL OK
WILL NOW HAVE TO REMOVE DASH TO CHECK ALL CONNECTIONS
STRANGELY THE FUEL GAUGE IS BEHAVING AS IT SHOULD.
I TOOK THE CAR FOR A RUN TODAY, JUST TO CHECK IT WAS NOT OVERHEATING, AND NOTICED THAT EVEN USING THE INDICATORS OR BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN SAT AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS CAUSED THE SAME PROBLEM
I DID LEAVE THE CAR TICKING OVER WHEN I GOT BACK FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR!! AND NO OVER HEATING OR VOLTAGE LOSS. PUT ANYTHING ELSE ON ELECTRICAL AND SAME THING HAPPENS.
ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD LOOK FOR WHEN I TAKE THE DASH OUT?
MANY THANKS,
TONY.

Have you checked the alternator charge at idle with all electrics on, headlights, blower HRW, radio etc. It should still be giving a good charge.

Looks like the gauges are earthed by the panel lights. When putting the lights on the earth isn't there anymore and takes a new path.


Jeroen

soe8m wrote: ↑Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:26 pm Looks like the gauges are earthed by the panel lights. When putting the lights on the earth isn't there anymore and takes a new path.


Jeroen

HI JEROEN, IT DOES IT EVEN IF JUST THE BLOWER IS ON OR THE WIPERS:(
BUT HAVE GOT TO SAY PANEL LIGHTS ARE NOT VERY BRIGHT.
WILL CHECK CHARGING WITH EVERYTHING ON AGAIN, IT WAS OK (14.8 VOLTS) AT 1500RPM, BUT WILL CHECK AGAIN. VERY PUZZLEING WHY FUEL GAUGE IS OK THOUGH
CHEERS, TONY.

Almost sounds like you have water trapped somewhere, grounding when you use anything.

Have you cleaned out the fuse box and alternator plug.

Before going too far, remove one fuse and see if the problem
changes.

There is a common earth point behind the dash IIRC. A bunch of black wires are all crimped together.

But before going there I'd look at the instrument voltage stabiliser and note that it earths out through the casing and mounting screws. Give that a clean and see how you do.

Never a bad thing to clean out the fuse box either.


Jonners

dollyman wrote: ↑Tue Jun 20, 2017 11:01 pm VERY PUZZLEING WHY FUEL GAUGE IS OK THOUGH
CHEERS, TONY.

Jonners - if the fuel gauge is working fine it cannot be the voltage stabilizer at fault.

Paul

It's not something as stupid as the knurled nut loose on the retaining bracket of the temp guage which retains the earth wire as well?

Steve

well folks, i have done everything that you all kindly told me about bad earths, cleaned multi plugs, fuse box even earthed every gauge seperately
still have same problem
anyone got any other ideas before taking the dash out again?
would it be a simple job to wire the temp gauge seperate from the loom? as this is the thing that bothers me
thanks everyone.
cheers, tony.
ps, met some really nice members at capesthorne hall show yesterday

Still sounds like something is grounding when you activate it.

A multimeter in the right hands would possibly have it sorted in minutes.

Both fuel and temp gauges are fed from the voltage stabiliser, and will appear to work even if the stabiliser is delivering full volts.

Multimeter needed...


Jonners