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Author Topic: Smoking light switch. Coupe S1  (Read 2421 times)
0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.
simonpen
Senior Member
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Posts: 115


« on: 19 April, 2021, 01:57:12 PM »

I know even less about electrics than mechanicals but I do know that my light switch should not start smoking when full beam is selected. The culprits seem to be the two red cables, one I think from the column, they both get very hot. I have not changed anything during the restoration so what is the most likely cause?
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1969 Rallye 1.3S
jus
Senior Member
*****
Posts: 119



« Reply #1 on: 19 April, 2021, 05:04:47 PM »

Do the main beams actually light up when switched?
The wires would only really do this if they were carrying way too much current than they normally do when supplying the 60W (?) bulbs. 60W / 12V = 5A per bulb at 60W. For the wires to get that hot, they may be carrying 10x that amount. If there was a dead short (i.e. the wires went straight to ground), then they'd burn in a few seconds (but the fuse should really be blowing first), so it's worth tracing the wires to see where they go. Disconnect from the front lights and see if the wires still get warm. If they do, then there's probably an issue with the switch gear or fuse connections - which would probably have been disturbed during a renovation.

Sorry I can't help more than that.
Let us know if you find anything else worth noting when testing.
Justin.
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1969 S1 Fulvia 1.6
1971 Ex-works Fulvia 1.6
1975 Gr4 Stratos HF
1982 Beta Spyder
1982 037 Rally

Recently passed: 1986 Delta S4
Long since passed: Delta HF Turbo ie, Delta HF Turbo (carb), Delta 1500.
lancialulu
Press Officer
Permanent resident
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Posts: 4895



« Reply #2 on: 19 April, 2021, 08:29:27 PM »

S1 light switches can short or partially short against the chassis. The fat red wire is not fuse protected....?
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Its not the winning but taking part! or is it taking apart?
Lancias:
1955 Aurelia B12
1967 Fulvia 1.3HFR
1972 Fulvia 1600HF
1972 Fulvia Sport 1600
1983 HPE VX
1988 Delta 1.6GTie
1998 Zeta 21.  12v
simonpen
Senior Member
*****
Posts: 115


« Reply #3 on: 20 April, 2021, 11:41:36 AM »

Thank you both. Yes the main beams do work. I have replaced the outer bulbs with H4 but they are 60w. I have bought a new switch, looking at it I cannot see how it can fail, a pretty simple thing.
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1969 Rallye 1.3S
lancialulu
Press Officer
Permanent resident
*****
Posts: 4895



« Reply #4 on: 20 April, 2021, 03:43:13 PM »

Check carefully with an accurate ohm meter across the brass rivetted  parts. I noticed high resistance due to unseen corrosion under the rivet from a seemingly new looking switch. It failed to make the lights operate correctly.
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Its not the winning but taking part! or is it taking apart?
Lancias:
1955 Aurelia B12
1967 Fulvia 1.3HFR
1972 Fulvia 1600HF
1972 Fulvia Sport 1600
1983 HPE VX
1988 Delta 1.6GTie
1998 Zeta 21.  12v
simonpen
Senior Member
*****
Posts: 115


« Reply #5 on: 21 April, 2021, 05:06:51 PM »

Problem is solved by the fitment of a new switch.
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1969 Rallye 1.3S
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