lights and wet driving - problem (need a miata) Options

[jimkelly]

whenever i drive my car in the rain, my directional indicators on my dash start to blink on and off randomly. while driving i did notice one of my fuses blew. then when coming upon a red light intersection, slowing down with brakes, my gas guage and tack started dropping off. turns our i have a short in my brake electrics when driving in rain and in my directionals too. maybe it is just a matter of replacing seals around light lenses? thoughts?

[Tom_T]

If you're lucky Jim, it might be just lens seals, but not likely due to the broader extent of shorts you describe.

Time to get out the multimeter & start checking everything in the affected circuits, but check the lenses & inside at the connections & socket for evidence of corrosion to start with, then move to those areas where water could be getting into where the wiring is located. It may be getting in around the cowl, given the items affected.

You'll need to replace any rubber seals that are damaged or deteriorated, but you may also want to check with Jeff Bowlsby about a full or partial harness(es) rebuild.

The 40+/- year plastic insulation on these harnesses can get pretty crispy by now, so wire-to-wire contact can happen anywhere & everywhere - just like the "old VW electrical gremlins scourge" of the 50's & 60's & 70's Bugs & Buses.

Also, if this is on a Subie or other conversion where you have modified harnesses, then you need to check those & any hacks/mods into the harnesses done for the conversion as well.

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[screenguy914]

Suggest isolating the cause of the symptom before replacing randomly-suggested parts.

For example, during dry weather, duplicate rain fall from a garden hose over each of the suspected lens assemblies in turn and see if that causes a fuse to blow.

If not, continue the search elsewhere using a water-filled spray bottle.

Electrical troubleshooting is the most difficult of diagnosis, even for a pro tech. Malfunctions can be intermittent and dependent on vehicle movement.

Best wishes,
Sherwood

[Elliot Cannon]

I would first check all the electrical connections that are exposed to the rain. Brake M/C, turn signal wires under the fenders etc. Make sure they are protected. Trouble shoot the easiest things first. You might get lucky. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[jimkelly]

thanks guys (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[jsayre914]

I thought all 914's blink when it rains

LMFAO


Mine has always done that, small piece of electrical tape over the indicators will keep you sane at night. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[jimkelly]

cleaned up the rear lens housing some and pulled wires one at a time but problem persisted. replaced 2 blown fuses and problem went away. i should pull those fuses again to see if problem returns. sucks to have a fair weather car.

think i need to look for a miata. i could dig a stanced miata but it will need some real power.

http://www.superfastmiatas.com/JV6%20Miata%20Kit.html
http://www.engineswapdepot.com/?p=5114
http://www.v8miata.net/
http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?47...wap-for-a-Miata

[era vulgaris]

I thought just about all 914's in at least decent condition were fair weather cars at this point. I don't think I'd want to drive any classic car in abysmal weather the way people drive now with their giant SUV's while they're on their phones.

Mine's a daily driver and my only car, but I work from home. So I don't actually drive every day, and only when it's not raining. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)