Re: 164S electrical witchcraft

[David Rubie <drubie@domain.elided>]

ascher@domain.elided wrote:
> thanks to all who responded a few days ago with suggestions for my post
> rear-ended, electrical shutdown.  the suggestions focused on two main
> possibilities:
> 
> 1. that my key had gotten stuck in the initial start position which
> allows a relay to turn off all electricity while starting the car.
> 2. that when rear-ended a wire was pinched that is causing a short

I should have perhaps explained this a little better.  On my 164, I
would turn the
key to "Start", start the car and let it twist back of it's own accord.
Instead of resting completely in "ON", it was a fraction of a millimetre
short.  A slight, very slight twist back towards "ON" would restore
power to all the accessories.

> 
> i took a look at the car and there don't appear to be any pinched wires
> near the impact zone.  if it was my ignition switch in the on position,
> why would some electrical devices (e.g.-radio and moon roof) have worked
> and others not?  i'm still stumped here, and the other's party's
> insurance company looked at it today and will be back next week to see
> what the body shop has discovered.  i'd like to be able to make some
> suggestion about possible causes.  any further ideas or points about the
> first i may be overlooking?

On my 164, the aftermarket CD player was wired directly to the battery.
I do this on my older Alfas because they have to "accessory" key
position, but I can't remember whether the 164 had one or not
(I suspect not).  The CD player was fitted by the previous owner.
The radio would happily play but the engine
fans and electric windows, indicators, headlights etc. would
never work until you tickled the key backwards to the right
position.  I think the CD player working always confused the issue
until we worked out what was wrong.  I don't know whether the moonroof
is factory on your car or not, but I suspect it isn't run through
the relays that shut down the accessory power during engine
start.

sorry for any confusion,

dave.

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