1976 Re-wire, Resolving Issues

Gotta love that wiring . . .
Post Reply
Sagan

1976 Re-wire, Resolving Issues

Post by Sagan »

I would like to start by saying, "Thank you all," as this site has been a wealth of knowledge. I am in the process of restoring a 1976 spider which had been sitting in my father's garage for the last 8 years plagued with electrical problems.

I have recently replaced the entire main wiring harness due to an electrical fire, and have found that parts of the car are working now, that I never knew existed. Though, some problems that I am having however are the following:

-I have lost turn signal indication on the dash board, they function but do not display.
-I have negligible oil pressure indication, and have used several different gauges.
-I hear the hazard light relay click, however the lights do not flash.
-Gas level is very erratic, I believe it is a bad sender unit.
-The clock only runs while the headlights are on. [This one really stumps me]
-[Not electrical] my speedometer also erratic, but at a stop states I'm at 5mph.

I believe that some of these issues may be resolved by installing the proper relays , however I do not know which relays go to the proper socket as they are jumbled up, and not in the order shown in the manual. I have removed all of the emission equipment as well, if anyone out there is looking for it.

Thank you again, any and all help will be much appreciated. It's a blast to have it running back out on the road, I just would like it running to its fullest.

Best regards,
-Mike
Budduncan
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:15 pm
Your car is a: 1971 Spider

Re: 1976 Re-wire, Resolving Issues

Post by Budduncan »

Hi Mike
The clock issue sounds easy. The instrument lighting wiring has been inadvertently attached to the main clock 12 volt input. If you look at your radio, there will be a yellow and red wire. One of them is always hot. (your voltmeter will tell you). Jumper a wire from the always hot one to the clock input and disconnect the existing one. Be sure to tape off the unused wire so it doesn't create a later short. You should be home free.
Cheers,
Bud
Sagan

Re: 1976 Re-wire, Resolving Issues

Post by Sagan »

Hi Bud,

Thanks for the work around. I'm a bit concerned that on a new wiring harness this would be an issue however, one would think that the new harness would not have to be modified in any way. I currently have the radio cluster disconnected, except for the essentials.

-Mike
User avatar
124JOE
Posts: 3141
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:11 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 fiat spider sport 1800
Location: SO. WI

Re: 1976 Re-wire, Resolving Issues

Post by 124JOE »

does the light in the clock work?
is it always on?
then you have the wires crossed
if the light wont come on then your bulb is burned out as well.joe

dont just tape off a wire if it has a perpus.
when you do everything correct people arent sure youve done anything at all (futurama)
ul1joe@yahoo.com 124joe@gmail.com
User avatar
manoa matt
Posts: 3442
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Re: 1976 Re-wire, Resolving Issues

Post by manoa matt »

The clock has two power sources and one ground. One power source is always hot and powers the clock. The other power source provides power to the bulb when the running lights are on.

I have diagrams and part numbers for the relays, coupled with a wiring diagram, you should easily figure out where they go. Send me an email for the relay information matt.scarton@gmail.com

The turn signals and hazard switch are integrated, both systems must work in order for the other to work. Check that all bulbs are good and making good contact in the bulb holder. Make sure the ground connections are good. Check the flasher unit up under the dash. Most likely its something to do with the hazard switch wiring.

Was the wiring harness a Painless kit, or from another 1976?

I took apart a 1976 a little while ago and have whats left of the harness and relays if you are missing something.
Sagan

Re: 1976 Re-wire, Resolving Issues

Post by Sagan »

Thank you to all that replied. I was able to fix some of the issues.

Hazard lights are working again.
Clock is now running properly.

However, I still have the following issues.
-I have lost turn signal indication on the dash board, they function but do not display.
-I have negligible oil pressure indication, and have used several different gauges.
-Gas level is very erratic, I believe it is a bad sender unit.
-[Not electrical] my speedometer also erratic, but at a stop states I'm at 5mph.
User avatar
124JOE
Posts: 3141
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:11 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 fiat spider sport 1800
Location: SO. WI

Re: 1976 Re-wire, Resolving Issues

Post by 124JOE »

Sagan wrote:Thank you to all that replied. I was able to fix some of the issues.

Hazard lights are working again.
Clock is now running properly.

However, I still have the following issues.
-I have lost turn signal indication on the dash board, they function but do not display. -I have negligible oil pressure indication, and have used several different gauges. -Gas level is very erratic, I believe it is a bad sender unit. -[Not electrical] my speedometer also erratic, but at a stop states I'm at 5mph.
check the bulb :wink:
kind of normal
yes sending unit
you may need a new gear in the tranz.joe
when you do everything correct people arent sure youve done anything at all (futurama)
ul1joe@yahoo.com 124joe@gmail.com
Post Reply