Street Rat

I have an '81. I'm always having to track down electrical issues on this car.
Are some years of C3s more prone to electrical issues than others?
I understand that the wiring is over 38 years old but geesh.
It seems like as soon as I fix a problem another appears.
I can do almost anything mechanically but I suck at tracking down these gremlins.
My latest journey involves a quite trivial but very handy option.
The inoperative rear window defroster.
I'll be tracking the circuit down this week in an effort to get it fixed.
Craig

F22

You didn't mention, whether or not you had a Power Probe III. With one of those, it shouldn't take a week to track anything down. That and a schematic (preferably, the big plastic, colored one), will get you results. Of course, dealing with being under the dash, isn't easy, that's for sure.

BLUE1972

I have a 69, 71 and 72 - no electrical issues..

The wife's 2005 Subaru is another issue..

Street Rat

Yes I have a Power Probe and the schematic. The switch is in the console. I have to pull the side trim panel back to access it. No problem there. Hopefully the grid isn't broken. I've got window tint over it.
Craig

av81

I have an 81 no electrical gremlins , sure stuff didn't work like interior lamps, glove box lights, door locks , vanity mirror light etc everything was a piece of cake to fix ... no offense but when you know what you are doing with electrical it's not hard.

JohnnyQuik

Well the clock in my '70 sometimes runs backwards randomly. Started calling her Christine.

HeadsU.P.

Do all model yrs have electrical gremlins?

NO. The 1983 was free of bugs.

ntfday

As long as the grounds aren't compromised the answer is no.

Old Man in a C

Try letting the smoke out of the wires. Works on my Triumph

bobby live

best thing to do is brand new wire harness, your wires are to old to fix

7T1vette

90% of wiring issues are either stuff hacked-up by Bubba or poor ground connections. Grounds in a plastic bodied car are plentiful, and 40+ years time provides ample opportunity for corrosion and deterioration. If Bubba hasn't been into your wiring, CAREFULLY check and clean all ground connections.

P.S. 10% or wiring problems are a PITA to find/fix....whether it's a C3 or any other car.

Big2Bird

Does the switch light up at all? If it goes on and goes right out, it's the switch. Took 6 years to hunt down NOS one year only switch.

Street Rat

Hey Big,
I've got no light at the switch at all.
Replacement switches are readily available for my '81.
I don't know what the quality of the part is though?

Big2Bird

Repop electrical switches are hit and miss.

KenSny

British cars with Lucas electrics are a sure way to learn electical skills out on the highway.....
Had a number of MGs over the years. Letting the smoke out of the wires was always fun.

phat87

what is this "big plastic colored schematic" you speak of Grasshopper? Where would one find such a tablet of knowledge?

fake

All 1981 were wired by Lucas and his dog Sam (seeing eye)

Street Rat

Yes I'm beginning to see the big picture.