Thread: Autosparks UK

What are your plans for the car? i.e. do you want to return it to original specs or do you want to improve the electrical system?

If you get an auto sparks loom it's still going to be the same rubbish design....

I agree with Felix on this. If you want some decent electrics, you don't really want a standard loom back in it. I know if you aren't good with electrics, that the wiring can look complicated, but if you need a hand trying to get your head around it, we are here to help. Where abouts in Vic are you - I may be able tp give you a hand in person if you like...

Rubbish? Why's that? I'm not surprised to read it, given what the electrics are like on these things, but why exactly?

Originally Posted by Davo

Rubbish? Why's that? I'm not surprised to read it, given what the electrics are like on these things, but why exactly?

they're not all that bad considering. the original wiring was oversized because of the lack of relays. i would buy a loom kit, and add relays to headlamp circuits etc and you'll find it way better. the lack of a decent number of fuses was always a bit of a concern to me with the early ones, but they are a very simple vehicle, after all.

and another problem was poor earthing, sort these issues out on installation and all will be well

jc

They are rubbish mainly due to the design of the power distribution. There is one main ignition feed from the ignition switch which powers the fuse panel- if this ONE wire goes down the whole car goes down in a big puff of smoke. Then, the wires which comes off the fuse panel all split up into different directions- BUT THEY ARE ALL THE SAME COLOUR (WTF?!?!?!). They don't just split up individually- they tee off each other.

Because of this- it is very easy for a simple problem to turn into a giant headache. If you manage to get a short circuit somewhere, because the fuses are rated so high it won't blow the fuse- instead the circuit will continue to operate and again, you'll end up in a big puff of smoke. And with 3 fuses it is very hard to trace where the problem is. There are a few unfused main power cables also- which is stupid in itself.

I rewired my '82 2 door with a 'Painless' loom. It is a universal type loom, is weather proof, comes with 20 circuits and they are all fused individually. Wasn't all that hard- it is a bit difficult in places because you need to reverse the way certain circuits operate (if you want to keep the original switches) and you need to modify the cluster plug pin designations. However you will be rewarded with a more reliable car with a much easier to diagnose electrical system. AND NO WIRE IS THE SAME COLOUR!!!! Can't tell you how much that annoyed me with the standard loom. If you need any pointers or part numbers etc I'm happy to help

Okay, I get you. I noticed all that as well, though coming from a Series IIA it doesn't seem so strange. (Though in the end I made a whole new loom for my IIA many years ago.) I've added a lot of fuses and relays to my Rangie and there are still more to go. One job is to pull out the original 3-fuse box and put in more fuses, and blade type as well.

The unfused main power cables are a worry, too.