Wiring Nightmare!

Well now Boris has locked us up for the spring I'll have plenty of time to crack-on I guess......
Pity I have to log-on for some work tomorrow really! :-(
 
Past the point of no return now.....
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Always looks a bit daunting at this stage but circuit arrangement all planned out and just need a couple of period switches now I have management approval for overdrive switching.....
What could possibly go wrong?
 
Well yesterday, before starting on Pootle I thought I'd replace the headlamp bulb on my Celica - 10 min job?
Nah, you have to remove the headlight to get to it and one of the mounting bolts is under the bumper so you have to remove part of wheel-well to get to the bolt, to release the bumper, to prize it all apart with bits of wood to get to the headlamp bolt. Took about 2 hours and reached swearing level 9!
Have been a bit unlucky with this 2004 Celica - Bought it with 73,000 miles on it at the middle of the year and it's in very nice condition but unfortunately I found after a couple of months it was burning masses of oil. Smurfing the interweb pointed to a bad design of pistons fitted to Toyota VVT-i engines around 2003 which didn't have sensible oil return drillings in them so the oil control rings all gum-up.... Contacted a few garages for ideas and was advised parts would be £500 and 2 days labour - oh and they wouldn't do the job as it was too risky to tackle! Bit the bullet and ordered a repair kit form a specialist in Dubai (yep bizarre - New pistons, rings etc for £270 all delivered in 5 days!!!). The job was a bit of a faff but between us a mate, eldest son and I did it over a weekend. After 2,000 miles it does seem a success....
But I digress and you don't care about that modern rubbish so back to Pootle....
So have now stripped back all the wiring I'm replacing ready to start rewire.....

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Well some idiot once said 'less is more'?
Wonder what all this did?

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Time to follow Captain Kirk and boldly-go methinks?
Cheers
Tony
 
Toyota are terrrible for headlight bulbs - my Surf was similar, you had to take the headlight out, to do so you had to remove one of the batteries o_O
 
Evening all, was taking a look at those interior cab shots and in particular, the vertical panel behind the front indicators. Will try and download a photo of mine... Looks my inner vertical panel has been roughly cut to take and make room for the newer Spacevan indicators (my S reg van also has the newer spacevan plastic front grills, bumper etc). Does this mean my van started out life with the earlier commer style front end? with the chrome Dodge letters. Logbook states Dodge spacevan. Seen both front end styles on the S reg's. My front panel has the satin black paintwork that typically comes with a replacement and maybe upgraded front end panel, the headlamp bowel is also pop riveted, with new square bolts holding the indicator in...
 

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Seems it has had a new front end at some point. I've the newer plastic fronted van and it doesn't have that type of cut out where the indicators are. Maybe like me someone thought it just looks cooler ;)
 
It does look like it's been replaced. Probably because the Commer panel has been extinct for many years a later Dodge one was fitted.
 
Impressive washer bottle and electric pump - Pootle still has colostomy bag and manual pump....
- Wonder if SWMBO will approve an upgrade?

Just received final bits for re-wire;

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Had to settle for 'Overdrive' button as I couldn't find one for 'Warp Drive'.... :)
 
It'll work but won't self-cancel. I've got a similar one fixed to the gear lever on Harvey.
 
Initially I'll fit the simple on/off switch that won't cancel. I will wire in the new switch on 3rd/4th gear to prevent overdrive operating on Reverse/1st/2nd. Personally I want a cancelling switch arrangement like a motor contactor but need to convince 'management' that is a 'good idea'.... I am using a relay drive to the solenoid anyway so will bring the 'relay output' wire back to the dashboard and I can easily upgrade if needed...
 
Initially I'll fit the simple on/off switch that won't cancel. I will wire in the new switch on 3rd/4th gear to prevent overdrive operating on Reverse/1st/2nd. Personally I want a cancelling switch arrangement like a motor contactor but need to convince 'management' that is a 'good idea'.... I am using a relay drive to the solenoid anyway so will bring the 'relay output' wire back to the dashboard and I can easily upgrade if needed...
Ah I see, I did have a normal switch originally when I first fitted the o/d but didn’t trust myself not to cancel it and changed it over, quite like the supa long stalk right next to the steering wheel :)
 
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