Interesting Electrical/Charging Issue Options

[GregAmy]

1974 2L 914. "Driver" condition, way far from concourse, but drives well. I've noticed from the beginning a relay clicking under the dash; at first I thought I left my turn signal on, but it's not. It didn't seem to bother anything so I ignored it.

Couple nights ago I drove it for the first time at night. It was then I noticed the "gen" light was glowing very faintly, and at idle I'd hear the click and the light would get brigth(er), then slowly dim. Then it would click again, get bright(er), then dim.

I've also noticed from the beginning that the voltmeter would show 13+ volts normally, except when I stepped on the brake; when I did that it would go below 12. Same thing happened when I flipped on the lights. Strangely, when I did either, the clicking would stop...

Today I did some basic troubleshooting. Had my assistant sit in the car and I measured voltage directly at the battery. At idle, center console gauge shows ~13v, VOM showed 13.75. Good. Asked Vanna to step on the brakes; gauge showed ~11.8V, battery showed 13.4. Asked her to turn on headlights and stay on brake; center voltmeter showed ~11.5, battery had 12.3-12.5. Asked her to rev it, battery voltage got up to ~12.7.

So it really doesn't sound like I have a charging issue, it sounds like there's something going on under the dash.

I'm gonna guess you're gonna tell me it's a ground under the dash. But can you offer where I might find that? Or where I can run one to supplement it? The battery (from a Miata) has been moved to the rear trunk; it's positive cable goes directly to the starter and its ground to the ground stud under the rear trunk. The ground strap from that stud to the transaxle is very good, I've removed, cleaned, and re-attached it.

Car seems to be running fine, starts, drives, charges. I'm just looking to get accurate readings from the gauge and to stop that clicking...

Thanks!

Greg

[ChrisFoley]

Check the wiring connections on your front turn signals.
One terminal is grounded to the light bucket.
Reversed polarity there will cause dash lighting anomalies.

[GregAmy]

Does the flashing red light on your gage function properly when the E-brake is engaged?

Dunno, I'll check it. HOWEVER, I see where you're going: you're thinking the ground may be in that e-brake circuit. And you may be on to something: when I bought the car it was (still) missing all the carpeting and a lot of the interior was removed, I believe to repair floor rust...and I do not recall seeing a switch installed for the e-brake, nor do I recall ever seeing a parking brake warning light coming on.

And, per the wiring diagram, if that circuit is shorted it could energize the flasher relay.

I'll investigate this lead as well.

Check the wiring connections on your front turn signals.

Will do as well, thanks.

Racing this weekend so don't know if I'll have time to follow up on these leads until next week, but I'll report as soon as I do.

GA