Power loss to gauges, 4 ways & turn signals | FerrariChat
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Power loss to gauges, 4 ways & turn signals

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by lasvegascop, Mar 28, 2013.

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  1. lasvegascop

    lasvegascop Karting

    Apr 12, 2009
    222
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    "Ski"
    #1 lasvegascop, Mar 28, 2013
    Hey guys....

    So it's been a few years...bummer. TR has been running perfectly, until now :(

    Here is the situation:

    Obviously it's electrical, but I just can't get started mentally. Where do I look? What do I take off?

    The tach's back lighting is gone....no, it's not the bulbs. Along with that, the 4 way flashers are not working either. I can hear the relay click, but that's just once and that's it. Also, the turn signals don't work either!!! Everything else is just fine....this is driving me nuts!!

    Also it should be mentioned that I had this come and go from time to time, but now, she is really dead. I have no clue where to start.....any help would be greatly appreciated....

    Has anyone else seen, heard or experienced something like this???? I mean, I need my girl back :(
     
  2. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

    Apr 6, 2008
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    #2 turbo-joe, Mar 28, 2013

    only the complete tach or also the instruments in the center console? may be the dimmer is OFF switched???

    are the turnsignal idicators working?

    when you hear the flasher relais only once then could be it is gone? on the relais you have 3 connectors, right? so you may disconnect the 3 pins and connect the right 2 ( the 31 don´t connet ! ! ! ) then turn for example the left turn signal. if the left side is shinign then you may change only the relais, if not you make check the switch.
    also you may check the 4 way flasher with this connection instead of the relais.
     
  3. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,823
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Steve Magnusson
    #3 Steve Magnusson, Mar 28, 2013
    Please be more specific, do you mean:

    A. All of the instrument backlighting bulbs are not working when the headlight knob stalk switch is rotated "on", or

    B. Only the tach backlighting bulbs are out and those in the other instruments are working OK?

    Are your reverse lights working? I.e., key "on" (engine not running), shift lever in R (reverse switch closed) = white reverse lights "on"? If not, check/reseat fuse #24 (10A) as a starting point.
     
  4. lasvegascop

    lasvegascop Karting

    Apr 12, 2009
    222
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    "Ski"
    #4 lasvegascop, Mar 28, 2013
    Sorry....was a little frustrated when I posted this :(

    Only the tach cluster lights were not working....but last night, I took the dash under the wheel apart and stumbled onto 3 or 4 plugs there. I turned the parking lights on and started unplugging and plugging back in the connectors. Well, I got the back lights glow again behind the tach!!! yesss!!!!

    But the 4ways and turn signals still having issues...BUTTTTT I saw some life sparkle again! They blinked couple times and died again. I am thinking the age is getting to the connections. I wonder if I should lube them with some dielectric grease???

    Geezzz..................

    And I will reseat all the fuses...thank you sir.....Should I grease them too??? I live in a dry climate, no rain or snow....Heated/AC garage...what gives?!?!?!?!? Also, I just confirmed that the reverse lights are working just fine. The Parking (Green) button also works.....

    thnx all for your support guys
     
  5. 302Tim

    302Tim Formula 3

    Jul 2, 2011
    1,182
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Tim
    #5 302Tim, Mar 31, 2013
    Ski,
    You might check out this thread of mine--similar issue though not exact. The hazard switch has caused several of us fits trying to track down electrical gremlins. My TR has 40K miles on it, operated in Nor Cal it's whole life, and has almost zero rust anywhere on the car (never restored either), yet this one switch had enough oxidation to cause my signals to work intermittently. Hope if not this it is a similar easy fix.

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/boxers-tr-m/341932-88-tr-turn-signals-inop-all.html
     
  6. lasvegascop

    lasvegascop Karting

    Apr 12, 2009
    222
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    "Ski"
    #6 lasvegascop, Apr 1, 2013
    Thank you for the link brother! Now I know why Steve asked me if the reverse lights were working! Hahah

    To bring up my solution, it were the connectors under the steering wheel column to the left. Unplugged and plugged everything a few times and all appears to be working!
    I am considering to drop some some dielectric grease in the to maybe stop this from happening again? That was a pretty bad scare for me...I tell ya!

    I already replaced the whole fuse box with a brand new one a $1,600 hit, but oh well...that was a few years ago due to parts of it being fried case of the rad fans. Well, I did install relays behind rear wheel close to the fans drawing straight juice from the power cable off of the starter. Now if a fan seizes, it will blow a 30A fuse or the cheap relay. Not the fuse box!!!

    Anyways....thnx for looking thru this thread....I hope I don't have any more issues with this?
     
  7. 302Tim

    302Tim Formula 3

    Jul 2, 2011
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    #7 302Tim, Apr 2, 2013
    Glad you are back together again, wish all gremlins were that easy to solve...

    I'm sure you are aware but the water radiator fans are only two of the circuits that typically fry the FP, the others being the two fuel pumps, the A/C fan, and (least often) the oil radiator fans (most cars run so cool these don't ever get hot enough to kick on).
     
  8. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

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    #8 turbo-joe, Apr 3, 2013
    what please is a FP? I think you wanted to write FB ( fusebox) ?
     
  9. Melvok

    Melvok F1 World Champ
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    Jul 25, 2008
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    Amersfoort, The Netherlands, Europe.
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    #9 Melvok, Apr 3, 2013
    Yes, must be FB imo too :)
     
  10. 302Tim

    302Tim Formula 3

    Jul 2, 2011
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    Northern California
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    #10 302Tim, Apr 3, 2013
    FP=Fuse Panel, FB=Fuse Box (same thing in my mind). Technically, we are all incorrect, it's a "Control Unit, Assy" ;)
     
  11. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

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    #11 turbo-joe, Apr 3, 2013
    thanks for explaining tim.

    in german it is called "sicherungskasten", so fuse box or fuse case. but fuse panel I never heard before.
    but good: learning every day :)
     
  12. 302Tim

    302Tim Formula 3

    Jul 2, 2011
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    #12 302Tim, Apr 3, 2013
    Hey you and Mel make me scratch my head often but I truly admire both of your abilities to keep up and contribute on this (primarily english) forum. Though I have visited your countries, I couldn't even begin to do the same in your languages--great job guys! :)
     
  13. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

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    #13 turbo-joe, Apr 4, 2013

    thanks for the compliment tim :)

    and sorry that sometimes when you all use there shortcuts or also sometimes words that I can not even find a the translator, that we don´t know what this mean. but this is because we are not used to this english language like you there living in the US and speak daily.

    but nevertheless this forum is very informative for those who are working themselve on those nice cars. and you get connections all over the world and also get very good infos here.

    so thanks to all because of this ! ! !
     
  14. lasvegascop

    lasvegascop Karting

    Apr 12, 2009
    222
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    "Ski"
    #14 lasvegascop, Nov 5, 2015
    Turn signals and hazard lights fixed!!! It was the flasher relay located behind the fuse box. Dropped a brand new one in and everything works perfectly.
     

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