[alfa] Re: No Brake Lights on '91 164S - ARCU connector problem

[Paul Niemczyk <pniemczyk@xxxxxxxxx>]

Rex & Everyone,

I have a similar problem on my 91 S as well, and I've heard other ppl having the same problem.  I identified the problem as being the connector and/or harness into the Alfa Romeo Control Unit (ARCU) under the glove box.

The ARCU controls almost all important electronic features in the car--other than Motronic functions--and relays info to the dash.  E.g., doors are open, BRAKES not working, etc.

There are five harnesses going into the ARCU. Looking at the side of the ARCU from the driver's side, there are four harnesses... the top left one seems to carry brakes info. I jiggled this bad boy around until the faulty warning lamps and brake lights resumed proper operation. My temporary (very ghetto) solution is to wedge a stick in between the harness connector and the floor to apply constant upward pressure to it to ensure proper contact.  

Any solutions come to mind?? Contact cleaner didn't help, and I tried swapping ARCUs with same results.  I don't want to resolder a new connector on the harness--that seems like lame busy-work.

C-ya,
Paul
Colorado Springs, CO
'91 164S

 

                --------------------------------

Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 22:37:30 -0500
From: "Rex Cars" <rexcars@domain.elided>
Subject: [alfa] No Brake Lights On '91 164S

<snip>


Unless I have an very strange open circuit somewhere, all of this 
suggests
that the Alfa Romeo Control Panel is bad.  There is another little 
control
box for the outer two stop lamps (its job seems to be to keep the AR 
Control
Panel from becoming upset when the turn signal flashes, which 
apparently
uses the same circuit as the brake light).  Turn signals and quarter 
lamps
work fine, as to the 4-way flashers.  But the CHMSL bypasses this 
second box
and is apparently illuminated directly from the AR Control Panel itself
(since it doesn't get power from the turn signal circuits).  When the 
CHMSL
doesn't light, as is the case on my car, the manual suggests that the 
AR
Control Panel is bad.


<snip>

Thanks,
Rex in Albany



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