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RE: TR4 electrical?

To: Tim Purdy <tim_purdy@hotmail.com>, triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: TR4 electrical?
From: Randall Young <ryoung@NAVCOMTECH.COM>
Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 16:22:48 -0700
Tim :

Certainly could be a fuse.  The TR4 has only a single fuse to cover
everything powered by the ignition switch, except the ignition coil, starter
relay and OD solenoid (which have no fuse at all).  If it is the fuse, your
brake lights also do not work !

Check the fuse holder when you replace the fuse : loose, dirty or corroded
fuse contacts can cause the fuse to open for no apparent reason.  I like to
smear a little silicone dielectric grease on the contacts to help prevent
any future corrosion.

Of course, the next problem is finding out why the fuse blew.  It can
unfortunately be difficult, but usually it's not too hard.  In this case, I
would start by trying to identify which circuit has the short.  Turn
everything off individually, turn the key on, and check the new fuse.  If it
doesn't blow, then try the turn signals, windshield wipers, heater fan,
brake lights and overdrive if present (not necessarily in that order) to see
which one blows the fuse.  If it doesn't show up easily, write back to the
list and we'll give you more advice than you can stand <g>

Another point to be aware of, all the books will say your car takes 35 amp
fuses (or possibly a 35 and a 50).  Those ratings are done with the European
method, which is a value almost twice what American fuses are rated for.  If
you want to use American fuses, an AGC 20 is a reasonable substitute.  DO
NOT put in an AGC 35, it may not blow when there is a short, leading to
unpleasant amounts of smoke and repair bills.  As I posted earlier, TRF has
the 'proper' Euro-spec fuses in stock (at least they did this morning).

You can also buy a circuit breaker that will clip into the fuse block in
place of the fuse.  Although they're fairly expensive (like $10), the big
advantage is that they will automatically reset, so that if you have an
intermittent problem, you don't have to keep changing fuses (and driving
without brake lights !)

Randall

> I just took my TR4 '64 for a little spin.  Not too far, when I
> noticed the
> temp and fuel guage is not working or the turn signals.  Is this just a
> blown fuse or something else.

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