I have a long standing problem with wiring in a kit, it started off as an escort Mk2 x flow, then it was converted to a 1600cc Pinto (so far so good) and then a previous owner decided to "improve" things by adding a Renault 4 dashboard.

I had my doubts when I saw it but as they say it is too late now. He has removed the escort switches and replaced them with the Renault items so although have some spare Ford switches the connectors have all been chopped. I have made up a new dash but kept old switches for simplicity's sake.
THE PROBLEM:
Most things work OK (Horn, brakelights, hazards, indicators, front headlights main and dip but
1 Switch on and side lights and some panel lights come on
2 Switch to headlights and side lights go off and on one beam (dip or main) all power is lost to the back lights

Initially I thought it may have been a conection to the wrong terminal of a switch but have tried various alternatives with no joy, I'm beginning to think that it is a more complex problem and maybe an expert auto electrician will be needed but I was impresed by the knowledge in some of the other posts and thought there might just be somebody who can guess what is wrong and point me in the right direction!!
If not thanks for sticking with this lengthy post

Moral of the story: check everything before parting with the readies!!

quote:

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Originally posted by trextr7monkey
I have a long standing problem with wiring in a kit, it started off as an escort Mk2 x flow, then it was converted to a 1600cc Pinto (so far so good) and then a previous owner decided to "improve" things by adding a Renault 4 dashboard.

I had my doubts when I saw it but as they say it is too late now. He has removed the escort switches and replaced them with the Renault items so although have some spare Ford switches the connectors have all been chopped. I have made up a new dash but kept old switches for simplicity's sake.
THE PROBLEM:
Most things work OK (Horn, brakelights, hazards, indicators, front headlights main and dip but
1 Switch on and side lights and some panel lights come on
2 Switch to headlights and side lights go off and on one beam (dip or main) all power is lost to the back lights

Initially I thought it may have been a conection to the wrong terminal of a switch but have tried various alternatives with no joy, I'm beginning to think that it is a more complex problem and maybe an expert auto electrician will be needed but I was impresed by the knowledge in some of the other posts and thought there might just be somebody who can guess what is wrong and point me in the right direction!!
If not thanks for sticking with this lengthy post

Moral of the story: check everything before parting with the readies!!

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Mk2 Escort for indicators and dip,and horn renault "conversion" for wipers and washers which are ok
Relays on hazards/ indicators and headlights but haven't listened out for others! Car is in a mate's garage at the moment so I can't just nip down and check.

Sounds like a proper bodge lol

Good luck with it. If all else fails rip it out and start again, i hate it when wiring does stupid things ! Tho it's usually an earth problem !

Check the earthing of the system a tip from my father in law who was in the trade was to put grinding compound on the points where earths are made as you do them up.

It sounds like you might be switching power from your sidelights to your headlights instead of them having an independent circuit. The headlights and rear lights should not be connected at all even with a common earth. You might be better starting with a clean slate and making your own circuits so you know what goes where.

Thanks I will investigate early next week, regarding earthing we have cleaned up and renewed all obviious earths and coated with copper grease also on all terminals.
The sidelight circuit powering the headlamps is a possibility .
I am trying toavoid atotal rewire as car is moving on but we want to resolve this glitch first!!!!
Any further ideas welcome!

nahhh

Wy cant the side lights power the main beam? i mean it wouldn't be good but they wouldn't shut down..

else the fuse will break??

i think it has more to do with the switching gear... who only uses the most visible switches and not the nasty circuits of the car builders..

I mean to say, maybe you use 2 wires wich are normally conntected for the side light exept when you give high beam....

I think you need to search it in the switching gear....

the best way to start is just do it again..

disconnect all the switches and bleep every wire and draw on an paper where it goes...

but i think its the switching gear...

because in fact it manages the power all over the car...

Tks

Thank you everyone, we decided the quickest and safest route was to involve a proffessional.
it took him over 3 hours to sort out apparently head lamps had 2 live feeds and a number of switches had been wired incorrectly etc etc etc.
Anyway car is now MOT'd electrically safe and sound, off to new owner on Saturday I think, and we can all sleep straight in bed at night with a clear conscience!!: