Edit... Resto mod FIRST DRIVE

[SoFlaFiat]

Jim,
I'm using a Painless harness so most of what I need is there plus some stuff I will not be needing. I have added a harness section for headlights and relays for fan, fuel pump and fog lights.
So, to answer your question, the harness was made up and I am pulling individual wires for some stuff.

[toplessexpat]

Intermittent would be a nice addition... mine doesn't ... although I do have the usual speeds of "off", "slow", "slower" and "slowest"

A

[SoFlaFiat]

What alt are you using Andy?
If I have any clue what you're up to I would say you have upgraded your alt and are getting better power, so why slow wipers?
I am installing a 95amp alt so I hope my wipers aren't too slow!
Or am I dreaming?

[azruss]

grounds, grounds, grounds. clean all your connections to the wipers. A larger Alt wont help the situation unless you have your lights on, radio on, heater fan going, etc. If the wipers are get 12+V, across the motor, you are getting as good as it will get. The secret is getting a full 12v.

[SoFlaFiat]

Well, I will not have any ground issues as every ground wire in the car is new so I'm looking forward to wipers that are not too slow! Thanks for clearing that up for me Russ!

[SLOSpider]

This may have already came up but I noticed you had your air filter going in backwards on your Blog posting. Pleated section is designed for fresh air side not facing intake...

[SoFlaFiat]

Didn't realize it made a difference which way it was in. I'll look into it. Thanks!

[toplessexpat]

I'm running a 95A alternator. Wipers get a full 12v at the connections - so I suspect a wiper motor rebuild is in my future. Mind you - how often do we drive in the wet? Although looking at the weather in Texas right now, and flying back to IAH tonight means that they may get a try out....

[SoFlaFiat]

Well, I'll address the wiper motor when I install it...
Right now I am fighting my hazard switch connection to the painless harness and finally emailed tech support for some help.

Anyone have input or maybe even pictures of where and how the emergency brake light switch is mounted? It was deleted from my car at some point and unless I gut the center console from my 77, I'm lost...
Thanks in advance!!

[vandor]

The switch in the '77 is completely different from the '81, so that would not help...
The hazard switch cuts power to the turn signal circuit and turns on all 4 turn signals as hazard lights.

[SoFlaFiat]

Thanks Csaba,
Am I right in the assumption that the e-brake switch is a ground switch, much like the door switches? I will make a bracket so that when the e-brake handle is down, it hits the switch and interrupts the ground. Sound right?

[toplessexpat]

Oh you mean the handbrake? (need to translate for us Europeans....)

The switch sits in a little square fixing right at the front of the slot for the lever. There's a little raised strip on the enderside of the handbrake that triggers it.... And mine fell out about 12 months ago and it awaiting the center console being removed to put back together

[spider2081]

For my 81 yes the emergency brake handle makes and breaks a ground. The float switch in the fluid reservoir also switches a ground for the same light.

[SoFlaFiat]

Ah, couldn't figure it out since the console was stripped from the car long ago. I'm sure I'll be able to rig something up.
Been a busy week at work and haven't gotten much done but the weekend is soon upon us!!

[SoFlaFiat]

Had a crazy week at work, starting the summer condo work, but finally made a little progress on my dash today.





Tomorrow, I'll sort out brackets to mount the panel and then I can get on with sorting more wiring.