txhokie4life

Went to the shop to pick up my '82 Euro. Have had tons of work on it. Was planning to goto 3rd Coast Show and Shine tomorrow -- not going to happen.

Alternator still working a little wonkey -- but I bypassed the igniter circuitry in the dash
and wired up my own little light bar and found switched power.

Found the alternator worked if I revved up to 2500 rpms -- then it was fine after that.

I knew my battery was weak so I had already ordered a battery from Adv Auto.
Drove there on my way home.

Put the new battery in and smoke starts pouring from under the hood.
Couldn't figure out what was going on -- but the alternator was smoking.
Spent some time looking for a short -- couldn't find any.
Pulled the wires off the alternator.
No more smoke -- but car would not start.
headlights were constantly on tho.

Retraced the steps only to realize
The guru at Advanced Auto put the battery in backwards.

Swapped it right side -- and she fired up fine.
But the alternator is fried and the headlamps are still wonkey.

They rose and fell fine with headlamp switch -- but if the battery is connected
the headlamps are on.

Not sure what else was damaged. I limped her home with no alternator connections -- I will pull it tomorrow and take back to Adv Auto -- they
said they would replace for free (they ought to!)

Any ideas about headlamps? What else should I be looking for issues with?

thanks,

Mike

Mrmerlin

prolly fried your headlight relay, I hope

jeff spahn

I would let them know they are on the hook for more than just a new battery. Any other electrical issues on top of a new headlight relay and alternator should be on their dime.

danglerb

Likely just get some kid fired who was trying to help, mistake was letting him.

txhokie4life

Anyone have a pointer to an '82 Euro Relay diagram?

the two manuals I found online -- '83 Euro and '82 US don't mention a headlamp relay.

I also have a fused relay near my side post near the 14 pin connector -- not sure
what that drives. Looks like a PO add on -- but never sure with these older cars.

thx,

mike

Dave928S

Here's a pic of the 82 Euro CE panel (which has the fuel pump fuse removed BTW), and the two pages of the manual that refer to relays and fuses. The double headlight relay is on the right at the bottom. HTH to get you going.

danglerb

Not til this moment did I realize the relays were arranged in a semilogical way.

jeff spahn

I understand not wanting to penalize the kid, but in all reality, the manager should be made aware of it. Clearly the kid wasn't experienced enough to handle this and needs more training, not firing. They have insurance to cover this kind of stuff (as long as your damage hits their deductible which it probably won't)

Don't let your feelings for an employee of another company get in the way of them making you whole again. If one of my employees (and it has happened) damaged a customers property I would be expected to return the property to the pre damage condition. I haven't fired employees over this, I retrained them.

txhokie4life

Well it wasn't a kid -- it was as the store manager admitted -- the dumbest guy we have at the shop.
Normally just a driver, but apparently they were busy.

They've already said they're covering the alternator -- will hit them for the headlamp fuse cost too (I doubt they can order one)
Assume the other double relay works the same and is probably toast too.

I'm just glad the whole thing didn't go up in flames. it was smoking badly and alt was too hot to touch.

m

txhokie4life

thank you very much!

Mike