shaun pond
3rd May 2006, 04:50 PM
Just fixed an electrical problem on my Series 1 Fulvia, and thought I'd post about it, in case others are experiencing something similar.
On my car, I was getting insufficient voltage whenever I had much of an electrical load applied. E.g.: When running with the blower fan and/or wipers on, applying the brakes would slow these items down. The windscreen wipers in particular were positively comic...
The generator output tested good. Replacing a suspect voltage regulator had no effect.
What did the trick was replacing the wire which runs from the voltage regulator through the firewall to the #7 fuse position on the fusebox inside the car. The existing red wire had experienced work by some previous owner (a couple of crimped splices) and would pass a continuity check. But when I bypassed it entirely with a new 10ga wire, the problem disappeared.
By the way: my fervent thanks to whomever posted the colored Fulvia wiring diagram on the download section of this site. Printed on 11"x17" paper, it was much easier to use than the smaller fold out diagram in the Driver's manual (and this kept the latter free of my greasy fingerprints!).
Odd little issues like this notwithstanding, I love my Fulvia. I've had it for about 8 months and 7,000 miles now, it's my daily driver, and I've also been able to enjoy it on some old car events here in the Bay Area (pictures of some of these at: www.fulviacam.phanfare.com).
Regards -
On my car, I was getting insufficient voltage whenever I had much of an electrical load applied. E.g.: When running with the blower fan and/or wipers on, applying the brakes would slow these items down. The windscreen wipers in particular were positively comic...
The generator output tested good. Replacing a suspect voltage regulator had no effect.
What did the trick was replacing the wire which runs from the voltage regulator through the firewall to the #7 fuse position on the fusebox inside the car. The existing red wire had experienced work by some previous owner (a couple of crimped splices) and would pass a continuity check. But when I bypassed it entirely with a new 10ga wire, the problem disappeared.
By the way: my fervent thanks to whomever posted the colored Fulvia wiring diagram on the download section of this site. Printed on 11"x17" paper, it was much easier to use than the smaller fold out diagram in the Driver's manual (and this kept the latter free of my greasy fingerprints!).
Odd little issues like this notwithstanding, I love my Fulvia. I've had it for about 8 months and 7,000 miles now, it's my daily driver, and I've also been able to enjoy it on some old car events here in the Bay Area (pictures of some of these at: www.fulviacam.phanfare.com).
Regards -