beaker

Hi, I really hope someone can help me here. Driving my 1987 90 home from work today and all of a sudden was aware of a lot of smoke coming from the steering column switch cowl!! So I pulled over, turned the ignition off and got ready to make a hasty retreat. The smoke seemed to die down so as I was almost home I carried on and all seemed ok. When I got home I stripped it down and have discovered the red wire for the sidelights has burnt out all the way back to the fusebox, and lord knows where else! So obviously I now have no sidelights, although the headlights seem to be working ok. So firstly, does anyone have any ideas on what may have caused the problem? And secondly, what can I do about it? I'm thinking I may have to somehow rewire the sidelight circuit but would obviuosly need to know where to start. A wiring diagram would help. I should mention that we have had a LOT of rain the past couple of days so I don't know wether water ingress could be the culprit. Any help would be soooo greatly appreciated. Thanks. PS; I should also point out that I am away for a few days as from tomorrow morning ( great timing as always! )so if I don't reply to some of you then you know why. Thanks again. Steve.

Thanks for all the help guys. I tried it briefly up the road without the rear prop and the vibration seems to have disapeared so hopefully a new uj should have it sorted.

Just found that out as I tried to move it without locking the difff and didn't go anywhere! Found this out also as I reversed out of the garage and heard a loud clanging sound. Looked underneath to find the drum on the floor. Looks like the screws weren't there at all and so i've wound the prop screws back on for now till i get some new screws. Will it still be ok to drive it like that do you reckon?

Thats great, thanks mate. I've just taken the prop off and should hopefully have the new parts within a week and I don't use it much anyway. Out of curiosity, what's the reason for making sure the diff is locked?

Hi guys, Hope you can help with this. I've got a heavy vibration going through my 90 which I think i've traced to a cream crackered rear uj on the rear prop. I've ordered the new parts (i'm going to replace both uj's while i've got the prop off) and I was thinking of removing the rear prop altogether until the parts arrive to safegaurd against sudden failure and the resulting damage. What I would like to know is will I do any damage to anything by driving the car minus the rear prop. Thanks.

Right, I think i've found it. I had to take the tunnel panel section off to see it though. It's sitting down below the linkages sitting vertically and it's the only switch I can see. And I think I've found the problem. There is only one wire going to it that's earthed to the gearbox, the other connector has been broken off but strangely there isn't a stray wire anywhere so i'm assuming it's been ripped out at some time. God knows how i'm going to get round that! The previous owner told me that it had a new gearbox fitted about 15000 miles ago so i'm thinking it was damaged then. Looks like a bitch of a job to replace the switch aswell.

Now why didn't I think of that?

Already checked that.

Mine did this a while ago and the only way I could sort it was to ease the inner door trim off (which is not easy) and get to the mechanism that way. It turned out to be the lock button binding up on the button surround that caused the problem, plus the linkage was dry and worn so a squirt with WD40 helped. If you've got the square type button then you may be able to just take the button surround off and get to it that way.

Thanks guys. Yes it is much easier to move to diff lock than from Hi to Lo so I assume its working although I haven't had time to do the lifting the wheel test yet. Still can't find the bloody switch though!

I'm having a bit of trouble understanding my diff lock. Firstly, when engaging the diff lock from Lo or Hi, should there be a definate engagment? as my lever moves across ok but dosen't seem to engage with anything. Sorry if I haven't explained that very well. Also, the diff lock warning light isn't working. I know these switches give trouble but i'm really struggling to find it. The only switch I can find on the gearbox is for the reverse light. Anyone got a photo? Thanks in advance.

No, it's the double nozzle unit in the middle.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I think the bit of wire down the nozzle sounds like the first port of call.

Hi guys, I recently bought a 1988 90 and found that the n/s nozzle on the front washer jet doesn't work. I've tried sticking a pin down and still no good. Does anyone know an easy way to remove the jet as it looks like I need to remove the dash to get at it. Thanks