Pop-up headlights gone rogue…
12-05-2019, 11:51 AM
#16
Racer
So… I made the pop-up problem go away.
I still don't know exactly what the source problem was, but once I'd got about half-way through tidying up stereo/dash/accessory wiring (load of sketchy. branching connections, some going nowhere), the lights just worked as normal again. I guess there was a short of some kind.
Lesson: remove unnecessary complexity ;-)
I still don't know exactly what the source problem was, but once I'd got about half-way through tidying up stereo/dash/accessory wiring (load of sketchy. branching connections, some going nowhere), the lights just worked as normal again. I guess there was a short of some kind.
Lesson: remove unnecessary complexity ;-)
12-07-2019, 02:51 PM
#17
Pro
Thread Starter
As long as it didn't set light to anything else, that may have been a lucky escape! I've become a lot more aware of the fire risks of dodgy or old wiring…
But in other news I FINALLY IDENTIFIED THE SOURCE OF THE HEADLIGHT PROBLEM!
I added an extra boost gauge a few months ago. The wires that run from the centre console to the gauge include power wires, and a wire for the dash/instrument illumination. There was a short between the switched +12V power wire and the lighting wire, because the insulation on the power wires had melted in a couple of places and at one spot had kinda merged into the lighting wire. Obviously drawing too much power at some point, and as it's just a still-fully-functional gauge on the end, I assume there was a *different* short that in turn caused it. So I'll replace the damaged wires tomorrow, and see if that restores balance to the force.
But in other news I FINALLY IDENTIFIED THE SOURCE OF THE HEADLIGHT PROBLEM!
I added an extra boost gauge a few months ago. The wires that run from the centre console to the gauge include power wires, and a wire for the dash/instrument illumination. There was a short between the switched +12V power wire and the lighting wire, because the insulation on the power wires had melted in a couple of places and at one spot had kinda merged into the lighting wire. Obviously drawing too much power at some point, and as it's just a still-fully-functional gauge on the end, I assume there was a *different* short that in turn caused it. So I'll replace the damaged wires tomorrow, and see if that restores balance to the force.
12-08-2019, 10:20 AM
#18
Racer
The wiring on my Porsche reminds me of the wiring in my TR-7- curse at it and it would work! I'm glad to read that you had found the trouble but definitely give the boost gauge it's own power source-or inline fuse Good luck with your repairs.
12-08-2019, 06:33 PM
#19
Pro
Thread Starter
Ah, but you'd expect the wiring in old British sports cars to play up any time the wind's blowing the wrong way ;-) Love the look of the TR7 though
See also Alfa Romeo… I had a 155 V6 for a while, sometime around the turn of the century. Less than 10 years old at the time, but only half of the non-essential electrical stuff ever worked. Much older Porsche = much more reliable.
But yes, the gauge is fused ;-)
On the home stretch now. Everything's working, just need to tidy up and secure loose wires, and put tags on some of 'em to ease future troubleshooting.
See also Alfa Romeo… I had a 155 V6 for a while, sometime around the turn of the century. Less than 10 years old at the time, but only half of the non-essential electrical stuff ever worked. Much older Porsche = much more reliable.
But yes, the gauge is fused ;-)
On the home stretch now. Everything's working, just need to tidy up and secure loose wires, and put tags on some of 'em to ease future troubleshooting.