Choke warning light switch

[saabfast]

Having put the instrument panel back together with all new LED back lights working (if you have the problem I had where the base plastic housing has 'melted' and deformed in the past so that the holder no longer makes contact, try cutting a narrow strip of that double sided foam tape/stickies to pack out under the printed circuit, works well), the choke light decided to stop working.

I found that the switch no longer made contact when the knob was pulled out so presume that the little 'pin' has worn down. Problem is that the 'two terminal FAM8881' type (as fitted to an '81) is no longer available, and the single terminal type 137607 (older?) has to be used. Has anyone done this and does it involve rewiring as the FAM8881 switched a power supply to the dash bulb which was then earthed through the panel? Does the single terminal type work the other way around, earthing through the cable?

Also took the first run of the year today, great to be back with the hood down. Only problem was the radio failed with fuse 5-6 (35A) blown, I think by a duff door light. However, having bought some at Halfrauds I found that their chinese ones don't fit (about 3mm too long) so need to order some from Robsport or similar, hence the decision to put the choke switch in the package if anyone can advise suitabilty.



Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1
'81 TR7 DHC

[bottomtop]

Its possible to do it - its been done on mine. I will try and remember to have a look for you tonight re how it was done.

[saabfast]

Thanks. I have ordered one from Rimmers anyway to have a look as it was less than 2 quid but would like to know if my mind is over-complicating the issue.

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1
'81 TR7 DHC

[saabfast]

bottomtop, I'd be grateful for any info or ideas.
I received the switch today. There are two contacts but one is small on the end and appears to be formed so as to make contact somewhere as an earth. I think this could be adapted to a spade if necessary. It tests as normally closed rather than normally open as with the existing one. As such, the only way I can see to use it is to install a relay with the primary operated by the switch and a feed to the bulb through contacts on the relay closed when the choke is pulled out and the switch line broken.
A simpler way would be good, there is enough wiring up there already.

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1
'81 TR7 DHC

[Red]

Alan,

I'm not sure if the old style earths through the cable - I don't think the cable is earthed?

I've got my dash in bits at the moment, so if you can wait a day or two I'll do some investigations for you. (That said, my choke light doesn't work anyway! [:o)])

Garry

1976 2.0 (soon to be 3.5!)FHC
http://reds-tr7.blogspot.com/

[saabfast]

Red, I can wait, won't be looking at it till the w/e anyway. The switch has a normal spade at one end and a little hook shaped copper tail at the other, which I assume is an earth to hook under something. (My existing switch has two spade connectors on the side).

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1
'81 TR7 DHC

[bottomtop]

Sorry I have been working late all this week but I will get under the dash tomorrow morning (Saturday Melbourne time) and let you know what is going on there.

[bottomtop]

Ok I just had a look. Like you I used to have the old 2 terminal switch but there is now a 1 terminal switch.

The current switch has only one terminal on it, which when the switch is mounted correctly, is pointing toward the front of the car (hence on the far side when you are crouching down on the floor looking under the dash). One of the wires (terminating female) which was connected to the original choke switch has been connected to that terminal.

Looking at the opposite end of the switch (i.e. the end pointing to the rear of the car when mounted, and facing you when you are crouching on the floor) there is no terminal, but there is a gap where one can see the metal (copper?) internals of the switch. It looks like a new short wire and some solder has been fed into that gap. At the other end of that wire, a spade connection has been fitted. The spade connection has been fed into the other of the female terminating wires that had previously been connected to the second terminal on the orginal switch.

I hope this makes some sense. I was told by my mechanic that the new switch was actually one used in the 2500. I am afraid I don't know which of the two connections was on which terminals of the original swithch, however on a simple light circuit I wouldn't think it would matter.

[saabfast]

Thanks for looking bottomtop.
I think it must be a different switch as the the new one I have is normally closed rather than the normally open action of the old one. While I can probably adapt the terminals I cannot change the action (and it is glued closed). However, I checked the 2500 unit on Rimmers site and it has identical listings (FAM8881 now superseded by 137607).

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1
'81 TR7 DHC

[saabfast]

OK, thanks and apologies to all.
Checked out the two together and they both operate the same way, just a matter of straightening out the earth tail and soldering on a short flylead with spade on the end to the new one, clipping in and connecting and all works OK.
(Must have been a senior moment, turned 55 today and first post was a survey from Age Concern!).

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1
'81 TR7 DHC