Dear all,

I used the same tools I worked on my Alfa with and probably should have washed them first before working on the 928. I now have Italian Gremlins in a German car.

The Dash/instument Panel lights do not work...nothing new there. I checked both Fuses (4 & 12 IIRC) and both good. Pulled the lower pannel and shorted Rehostat, still nothing.

the clock and Radio seem to activate at will without me or the car mvin at all i have had both turn on and off. Had this with Brit cars and aluminum connections and fixed with sand paper so thought wperhaps that was it here.

WELL not exactly.... as when suddenly the clock and radio went on I poped up the headlights to see if the dash lights came on...unfortunatly nothing.

However when I checked the lower left foot well light and moved from the lower position to the middle the clock and radio went off.

I was weaned on Lucas Electrics and the prince of darknes and good with finding fault but this confused me...here is what happens:

• Key not in-left wheel well light in down position clock is on. as soon as I move it up to middle or top clock shuts off

• Key in and in On postion-
  • left well light down= radio and clock Work
  • Left well light in the middle= radio and clock work
  • Left well light in top position=Radio off but clock out
  • Left well light down + Right wheel well light middle position = clock & radio work
  • Left well light down + Right wheel well down position= right hand wheel well light on +clock on*+ radio off (and for a bit of nuance there is a Humm comming from the right door well similar to a fuel pump noise)
  • Left well light down + dome light on = clock only works

I have the wiring diagram and the only thing I know for sure is the dash lights NEVER work and the rehostat does.

I think it is eather the after market radio from the PO, Alfa Gremlins, or Lucas minons (I setiously dobt this as the MG has been in storage for 2 years and its not realistic).

any thought where to look first?

all the best and thanks for the input.

DDay

 

The dash lights should turn on with the ignition key in the run position, They aren't affected by the headlamp switch.
I suspect someone incorrectly wired in your stereo to the interior lighting circuit. Also check and clean all of the ground points, throughout the car.

 

You might want to remove the Central Electrical Panel (the relay/fuse board) out of the passenger footwell and clean it using a rotary tool and a wire brush. Clean everything until the brass/copper gleams (including the contacts on the relays). This will give you an opportunity to inspect the grey spaghetti behind the panel and look for melted wires.

If you find melted wires, then it is possible that there are short circuits in the looms. You will have to find those shorted wires or replace the looms.

 

I am kind of thinking it’s the aftermarket radio too…..

planned on putting the Köln sqr 23 back in . Bought one as that was what I had the documents for. However now with VIN check it’s supposed to be a Bamberg sqr 83. so I will look again.

anyway here are some photos including some unconnected wires.


Assume the harness and antenna lead in my hand are the original radio wires and the rest is after market spaghetti?

#1 unidentified unused connection under pod

#2 unidentified unused connector under dash

#3 unidentified loose wire near rheostat

 

#2 is the plug for the cruise control stalk!

 

Cool..thanks...Have a manual so can check that off the list!

 

CC works on manual cars too. I did not have it installed either, but retrofitted it on my manual '84.
There will also be a loose 10-pin connector for the brain somewhere deep in the central tunnel, underneath the hvac solenoids. Probably also a plugged cable above the clutch pedal for a switch (to cancel CC when you're changing gears).

The other wires may be involved with your aftermarket radio, or some kind of alarm/immobilizer system that once was there. I found a couple of loose connectors from an old radio too, also a mic and bluetooth dongle.
Is #3 tied in with the factory wiring loom?

 

that balck 2 pin connector is for the key in the cylinder switch,
located on the arm between the cylinder and the steering column it plugs in straight up

 

many thanks!

if it was not connected what problems would be surfacing?

 

Just as a side info here:
On my German Euro 1983 928s the dash lights doesn't come on until I turn the headlightswitch to 1st or 2nd position. The key itself can be in "on" position but no dashlights. Every cable behind the dash is in superb condition and the instrumentpod is refurbished meticulously.
This is something that's normal in the german cars I think. Newer german imported cars in sweden all has this function. Correct me if I'm wrong here...

 

I did not realize the Euro cars were different in regards to the dash lighting. Thanks for the clarification.

Every other car I've owned turned on the dash lights with the parking and headlight function, except for the 928.

 

• Well I pulled out the aftermarket radio and reconnected the Blaupunkt Köln to be sure it was not part of the problem.
• Found new problem as Radio channel search just keeps searching....not sure if grey Antenna lead is attached to anything.
• still No Change after Radio install- Still had Wierd combination of shorting out of the clock based on the positions of the switches....and of course still no instument lights.
• However after putting away the tools I turned on the radio one more time to see if it works and suddenly all of my interrior lights go on an off and do not effect radio or clock. WTF it works but I did not do anything.
• Had a play opening an closing the doors and the interior lights did not go on and off. Checked the pin switches next morning... seems I have none.

Here is the Radio reinstalled- I have to replace the automatic antenna and was not sure where to connect the white wire so left it out for now

#1 Unidentified Male connector behind radio

#2 Unidentified female Connector codded differently than Male connetor. not sure what it is for....speed control?

Found this behind tool kit in the back reear passanger side. not sure if this is original or which lead come form the radio. I have second lead unattched which is the same as the black one. Insights please anyone??

Here I unscrewed the 11mm nut which was the remainder of the switch. How do I get behind here to install a new one? (As another note I have a black wire running along the door seal; wonder what surprise this is?

 

Was your car delivered with a carphone or not?
This is the only way to know if this equipment related to a carphone is original.

 

no it was not. But I. Addition to the grey antenna lead behind the radio I do have a black lead there which I believe is for a phone. Under the hatch I have one black lead attached to the splitter and a second not Attached to anything

 

it would be prudent to post pictures of what your seeing so you get the most accurate answers.

The pin switch wire is probably hanging inside the door jamb,
Its brown with a white stripe,
remove the computers and see if you can find the hole where the wire goes into that area