LotusElan.info

February 2004

Continued working on the wiring loom. Drew out a new circuit for the headlamps and vacuum solenoid valve to prevent the headlamps from being lit whilst in the down position. Temporarily installed the engine bay loom and dashboard in order to test the circuits.  All seemed to work fine apart from issues with the sidelight and indicator housings which were suffering from corrosion and the horn which I had wired incorrectly.  Removed the dash in order to complete the wiring and component installation.

Removed the sidelights in order to clean them up and attach a new earth wire.

Got my father-in-law, Pete to make me a battery box

Made a new earth cable.

Re-installed the dash.  All dials and dash illumination now working although the oil pressure gauge reads 40psi at idle.  This seems a little high.  Installed new earthing points in the engine bay to tidy things up a bit.

Found that there was now a problem with the brake lights.  Although I was getting 12 volts on my test meter at the wire in the boot, the bulbs  would not illuminate.  After asking for help on Lotuselan.net I got some swift responses that eventually traced the problem to the hydraulic switch. 

Replaced the Hydraulic brake light switch.

Connected up the electric windows.  Ran a hefty power cable via two relays operated by the switch.   Both windows now move up and down at a similar rate to a modern car.  Previously they were very slow due to the thin cables providing the power.

Installed both front seats.  Noticed that the drivers seat has two rubber feet that raises it above the height of the passenger seat.