My car was running well in the morning. Back at home I checked the the temp gauge by earthing the wire to the sender unit which showed the sender unit needed to be replaced. Three hours later I went to start the car and suddenly ... nothing, no ignition light, solenoid click or anything, dead as a Dodo. If anyone has experienced this type of problem before could they suggest a solution, my electrical skill are somewhat neanderthal. It a real shame as this is the only decent weather we have had and we should be out in it.

Assuming all electrics are dead, lights etc, then either your battery is flat or its probably just the common problem with battery terminals or earths.

All terminals must be clean and tight. Disconnect and clean the terminals on the battery, and grease them with Vaseline. The earth strap from the battery to chassis, and the chassis itself often corrode. They need to be cleaned with a wire brush, and reconnected very tightly. Check also the strap from engine to chassis. Check also the battery connection to the solenoid. Careful not to short out to the chassis with your spanner!!

Use a test lamp to check where the supply is present or not.

It's unlikely but worth a look at the fuses. All the 'dead' things you list are off the fused 'ignition on' circuit.

If the sidelamps or courtesy light work, it is the fuse for the white wires.

Thanks everyone

It was a duff battery. Simple when you know!

Hello All
Electrics can be a bafling subject, especially as car manufactors took the easy way out- 2fuses and many loops.
I have rewired my car, useing aircraft practices ie separate fuses, relays, master on/off swicht, hazard warning lights, high leval brabe light etc.
If, anyone has the desire to rewire their car! they are most welcome to my wiring diagram.
email

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

or phone (01747)870041

Trouble with classics is, some dont get used much, and the batteries run down. If you leave them discharged they turn to scrap!

Hi all

I've just bought my 1st alpine, It has a dynamo on it.

Does anyone have a bracket that I can use to make it accept an alternator?


Cheers

Nice looking car Alex. I usually make my own brackets, but I expect you might be able to use one from a Series V or later Sunbeam. I presume you know how to do the wiring bit, as there are some electrical pitfalls you need to be aware of when converting to alternator?

Thanks lol, except my car looks far from that at the moment, infact there are so many holes in it I am actually wondering where to start!

I've converted a dynamo to an alternator on my old HA viva before, I might be able to get my friend at sunseekers to make me up a braket in stainless.

Earthing the sender lead should not have blown the fuse, but, as someone else pointed out, all the things you list are on the 'ignition live' fuse. The fuse may not be blown - it, or the holder could just be dirty. If the headlamps work (these are on the 'other' fuse) the battery is fine.
I think you can fit an alternator onto the dynamo bracket by using a longer rear bolt and a spacer tube. You need to ensure that the pulley is in line with the crank pulley - you may need to adjust the alternator with a washer or two.
Note that alternators need to turn faster than dynamos, so they have smaller pulleys, and so you may need a slightly smaller belt if ther is inadequate adjustment.

hi alpine alex , your car in the photo is a very unusual shade of green,is it original rootes spec? .My series 3 is quite similar and i am not sure if its an original colour (im thinking mine is orchid green ( a series 5 colour)
just wondering
all the best

Hi Michael

No the shade of green is actually Porche peppermint green, however I just refer to it as sky blue for ease ...

I think it origianlly used to gold

Alex