Hi, I’m assuming this must be a bad earth issue somewhere, but I can instantly fill my fuel tank for free simply by adjusting the panel lights dimmer. Should there be a dedicated earth connection from the instrument panel to the chassis somewhere? How big a job is it to remove the dashboard? I’m not entirely happy with the wiring, so I’d like to be able to get at everything and thoroughly check it out. As an example, it has inexplicably stopped charging when running, when it was charging fine. When should the “Starter” lamp in the tacho light up (mine doesn’t light at all) and should the “Brake” warning light light up when the ignition is on but engine not running? That feels more like ignition lamp behaviour, so I was wondering if they have been connected incorrectly. Thank you, Paul
That’s what I assumed, bad earth/ground, which is why I asked if the instrument panel has a dedicated earth/ground connection because I can’t see anything on my car, which may explain the problem. Paul
As I understand its function, the “Brake” light covers three things: 1) brake-lamp failure, 2) failure of one of the brake hydraulic circuits, and 3) engagement of the hand-brake. Of these three, only the hand-brake is something you would normally see; obviously, only if ignition is energized. “Starter” (according to the manual) indicates that the manual choke is engaged. Can’t verify, because neither has ever worked on my car; so many niggles, so little time…
Thank you. That explains why I’ve never seen the Starter warning lamp lit because the choke isn’t connected on my car. My handbrake lamp doesn’t work either, so you’re not alone. Paul
Here is the switch at the top of the choke lever; you pull the lever toward the driver, the switch closes, and the light should turn on. Seems that mine is not getting 12V at the input, so probably they removed to bulb when they disconnected all the choke stuff on my car. Switch for handbrake is similar, you can touch it if you put your hand in from the access panel behind the LH seat, but to service it, you probably have to pull the console. Mine works if I fiddle with it, but the contact is intermittent. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thank you again, I wasn't aware there was an access panel, so that's something else for me to check. Paul
It's small; maybe 10cm tall, and 15cm wide; right on the central tunnel adjacent to the floor; mostly to get to the shifter adjuster...
the dash face plate with instruments unscrews with four thumb screw but the wiring behind must be released. Here is teh kicker when you see it!!! The electrics have MANY connectors and each can corrode. There is even the Sub-wiring loom for instruments BEFORE it goes to main loom. This means you can have many connectors between points and all are decades of corrosion. i suggest a possibility solution for you to look then possibly remove all instruments AND theor sub-loom to clean up all connections. These extra connectors make original production easily for Ferrari but really add headache to user now
