Dazed and confused

[njspider]

I'm new to Fiats and their electrical gremlins. I bought a 1982 Spider which had no low beams or directional signals. I've been searching the forum and learned grounds are a common problem so I cleaned up the pods on the front inner fenders. (they were nasty) That gave me headlights but no signals. I checked the fuse on the A circuit (manual says that's the one for the signals) and it's good but I have no voltage on either side of the fuse. However, other systems listed on this circuit work, such as fuel gauge, stop lamps, etc. How can that be??? Also, my hazard lights don't work and I read that this will effect the signals. What should I be looking at and in what order? Thanks in advance for any advise.

[AriK]

Welcome to the site. Are you sure you're checking for voltage with the ignition on?
There's also a ground pod under the dash near the steering column, check those connections.
It's important that the wires are all connected into the hazard switch in order for certain circuits to work.
On my '79 fuse I feeds the hazard and fuse A feeds turnsignals may or may not be similar on '82.

[joelittel]

I've discovered that my car is nowhere near stock in the wiring category and I'd suspect that many others are similar.

On my car the wire color schemes are almost useless. Green on the diagram might be white with black stripe on the car, etc. etc. Don't be fooled by following the colors, on my car and I suspect most others too, I have to follow the actual wire in order to track down any problems.

[spider2081]

Fuse A is the fuse closest to the steering column. You should have power to fuse A with the ignition switch in the "Start or Run" positions of the ignition switch. If you do not, look at he connector behind the ignition switch. It is a 6 terminal connector with 5 wires in it. The Pink wire is the switched power from the ignition switch to Fuse A. When the push Hazard switch is in, it should stay locked in, that is the signal light position. When the hazard button is out all the way that is the hazard position. The ignition switch has to be on for the signal lights to work, it does not have to be on for the hazard lights to work. A common failure for the hazard switch is for it not to stay in for the signal light position. some folks push the button in and stick a tooth pick along the side of the button to hold it in. Both the hazards and signal lights share the samw signal light flasher it is located behind the ignition switch

The wire color codes from Fiat Manuals are not perfect. There are transition years like 1980 where the cars changed from carburated to fuel injection where the colors do not match the manual. For your 1982 I don't think you will have an issue.

[RRoller123]

To help, you can get the correct wiring diagram for the '82 at www.artigue.com courtesy of Brad Artigue, an expert who has offered up an amazing amount of helpful literature to this community.

[aevansgatech]

Definitely make sure the hazard switch is hooked up before chasing down other paths. I've twice had my turn signals stop working due to a loose connection or partially stuck hazard switch.

Hope it's an easy fix for you!

[njspider]

OK. One mystery solved. As the plastic cover on the fuse box is lettered from left to right, I assumed the fuses would be oriented the same way. But as per spider2081 they are lettered from right to left. Is this an Italian sense of humor thing? Anyway, still no signals. I tried holding in the hazard switch which will not stay in by itself. The hazard switch only lights up when held in if the headlights are on. WTF. I found the flasher module under the dash, it has 3 wires going in which are clean and tight. There's a connector hanging down which isn't plugged into anything. It looks factory and I cannot see anywhere there is an open plug. This connector has 2 wires, a red/blk striped which is hot all the time and a tan that is never hot. Could this be part of my signal problem?

[spider2081]

Do all 4 of the lights lite in the hazard position and flash regularly.
Do you have voltage on the dark blue wire at the flasher, With the hazard switch pushed in for signal lights and the ignition switch in "run position" you should have voltage on that wire.

[njspider]

Okay spider 2081, let me first say the hazard lights don't work at all - key on or off, button in or out. The only sign of life is the button will light when held in if the headlights are on. I have 3 wires to the flasher, dark blue, purple, and blue/wht stripe. With the key on and the button out, the dark blue and purple are hot. With the button held in, they are not. Blue/wht is never hot. Any theories??

[njspider]

Okay, decided to replace the hazard switch since it does't stay in. Pulled it and discovered the connection was loose. With the connection tight and the button held in, I now have turn signals! The signal indicator light doesn't work but that will be a project for another day. Thanks to all who responded. This is an awesome site!!

[RRoller123]

The Hazard Switch not staying in can be repaired, and it is actually quite easy! I just did it a week or so back. Take it out and separate the back from the body. There are a bunch of snap clips that hold it on. Don't bother trying to separate the 2 halves by holding down the multiple clips to be able to release it. That is a fool's errand. Just drill them out SHALLOWLY, and then separate the two switch halves. Then bend the obvious brass spring piece back into a position where the in/out retention function works, you can do this before it goes back together. Then glue the 2 halves together with 2-part "plastic epoxy" from Loctite (Home Depot). It works great and is worth a try, after all, if it fails, you were going to buy another one anyway! Wish I took pictures, but this one time I didn't.

Pete