Super Minx 1966 Gages not working

[absunbeam]

Having an issue with sporadic function of the gas and temperature gage in the Super Minx Estate. When at the United in Bowling Green traveling to an event the gages quit working. Played around with the fuses and they worked again for a short time. Checking the instrument voltage regulator had varying voltage. Put a new one on and no difference. Everything grounded that i can tell. Any thoughts?

 

[hartmandm]

Sounds like you are losing the supply voltage to the gauges. Maybe a poor connection in the supply wire to the voltage regulator or at the voltage regulator output?

If the gauge arrangement is like the Alpine series 3 to 5, then check out this doc: http://mhartman.net/files/sunbeam/fuel & temp gauges.pdf

 

[absunbeam]

Thanks for that, good info!

 

[thomo]

If you are using the glass type fuses , put new ones in .They often become detached under the metal ends and intermittent have contact , they can look O K and test OK but a bump in the road will unseat them .

 

[absunbeam]

Thanks, the Lucus writing on them may give away their age. Did a continuity test which they past, however you can twist the ends slightly which I believe may be an issue.

 

[thomo]

In Australia it is getting harder to find stores with the glass type fuses and when you do get them they are poor quality , often on high draw circuits the solder that holds the wire to the cap melts and everything looks fine but you have a faulty fuse

 

[absunbeam]

Replaced the padded dash which involved removing the windscreen and pulling out the dash and glove box. Good chance to clean all the grounds and straighten out the wiring. Changed out the fuses and voltage regulator put back together and now have all working plus LED lights! The pad was acquired from Glenn Breckenridge from the Hillman Club UK (Thanks Glenn!). He had gotten it from a breaker yard 4 years ago and went a different route and did not need it.
Pad is held in by 6 pcs of metal that’s screwed and pop riveted in. No adhesive which helps cleanup! Pulling the W/S is the best way to get at things plus the window rubber was shot. New one sourced from Frank Schoenburger in Australia who has many rubber items for SM and Imps at this time! Windscreen is ready to get roped in.
Much different from doing Alpine’s and Tigers! Almost ready for Summer crusing.

 

[absunbeam]

Pic of pcs that hold the pad on. The cloth and bat material on the inside of the dash which would have been a great place for mice to winter. Still have a pad above the glove box.

 

[Pete S.]

Sounds like you are losing the supply voltage to the gauges. Maybe a poor connection in the supply wire to the voltage regulator or at the voltage regulator output?

If the gauge arrangement is like the Alpine series 3 to 5, then check out this doc: http://mhartman.net/files/sunbeam/fuel & temp gauges.pdf

It's possible that the voltage stabilizer/regulator packed up. While checking and cleaning the wiring, test the stabilizer and make sure it's well grounded.