Ignition switch accessory position 1

As the festoon bulb in the interior light gets so hot if left on for any length of time, I've swapped mine for an LED cluster. The light it gives out is very soft and white which I find quite luxurious after the yellowish original. So it's a modification I thoroughly recommend - except that I doubt if it could be dimmed.
 
Oh no, I do not wAnt to upset anyone but here we go, I got my car because I like the older classic cars, without central locking, abs braking, heaters that are not the best, manual choke, big steering wheels etc. The fun part FOR ME is not having the luxuries of the modern car. Getting the car to be more reliable with a modern equivalent is for me ok if it keeps it on the road.
Willy's idea of the led bulb is good, although the bulb is modern the way it's used is still the same.
5 speed box is ok who can tell when looking at the car and it does the same thing as the original 4 speed only more efficiently.
It is each to their own and I admit sometimes not having central locking is a pain, but if I'm honest that's why I bought the car. Just my thoughts. Cheers Mick
 
^^^^ I do agree with you, Mick. The character of an old car has so much charm. I'm personally not one for central locking on an old car, but each to their own. I'm not too fussed on big modifications generally, but I just fancied a slightly classier look with the lights. When passengers get into it at night, the lights go out when they close the door. I just thought that having them stay on for a few secs, and then dim nicely would give that classy feel! As I said before, a lot of faffing around, but I like the idea - as much as anything else, it's subtle. You won't notice that the lights are doing fancy things, but you will notice the nice ambience that it gives!!

Michael
 
redrover said:
Tom W said:
I think you could get your interior light to work as you want by giving it an extra feed from the ignition 1 position on the ignition, but feeding it through a normally closed relay that's activated from position 2 on the ignition switch.
Tom
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That's exactly the system I am planning now that I know there isn't a feed from the ign switch to achieve the same result. I just need to factor in the delay fader unit..... oh, and actually get round to doing it!! Winter's on its way, so maybe then!!

Michael
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Though I see what you're saying and think it might work, I think you're both under a wrong impression.

The interior light has a constant live, the door switches and dash switch work by switching it's earth path. What you need is to factor in a relay, but that relay to switch the earth path of, not the live supply to, the interior light.
 
So if the light is always live, you might need 2 relays in series. One normally open, switched by ignition position 1, and one normally closed, switched by position 2. That way, the light comes on at position one, and goes off with position 2, and as you'd be creating an additional earth path in parallel, the dash switch and door switches would still work as normal.
 
Tom W said:
So if the light is always live, you might need 2 relays in series. One normally open, switched by ignition position 1, and one normally closed, switched by position 2. That way, the light comes on at position one, and goes off with position 2, and as you'd be creating an additional earth path in parallel, the dash switch and door switches would still work as normal.
Click to expand...

That would possibly work! The other task is to try and get an idea of implementing the interior light dimming-after-about-30-seconds.
 
Could be the first P6 to have an ECU fitted !
Years ago you could buy a componet you fitted in parralel to the door switch whick kept the lights on for a few seconds
Don't know what was inside one
Nowadays interior lights come on when you switch off the ignition - must be some very complex electrickery involved
 
Tom W said:
So if the light is always live, you might need 2 relays in series. One normally open, switched by ignition position 1, and one normally closed, switched by position 2. That way, the light comes on at position one, and goes off with position 2, and as you'd be creating an additional earth path in parallel, the dash switch and door switches would still work as normal.
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Sounds like a good idea. The only drawback I can see is if you're waiting in the car with the radio playing on position 1, you'll have the interior light on all the time. Fit an LED & there's no heat problem but you'll be on show if it's dark outside. You might not mind that of course & you may also have your radio on a permanent live except that the original purpose of this thread was getting your radio controlled by the ignition switch.
 
Hmm... You're very right, RM!

I must admit, I had worked out a circuit diagram a few months back, and it seemed to work, but I think I might need to go back to the drawing board.....! I hadn't quite considered the fact that other accessories are off pos1. Will have a little head-scratch and see what I can come up with.... :D
 
This seems to be quite a challenge. I'm thinking out loud here, so please correct me if I'm wrong. I think the light needs to be fed by a feed that passes through a normally open relay, through a capacitor, through the bulb and then to earth. Then, when the relay were operated, the light would come on and the capacitor would charge. When power to the relay were cut, the light would then use the power from the capacitor until that were drained, then it would go out. The coil in the relay would need to be live all the time and it would be earthed by all the switches that currently earth the light, plus any extra relays that you add to get the light to come on at position 1. This adds the dimming function, but I can't yet figure out how to make the light come on temporarily when the key is turned to position 1. More head scratching to do....
 
Give me a few days (and nights).... (and pints), and I'll come back with a circuit diag for this. I was sure I had it worked out, but now I'm not so confident!
 
I'm with Mick on this one, why make your P6 more complicated and prone to break down?

I just turn the interior light on with the dashboard switch if I need it.

And why, if you must have one, don't you just get one of these - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Time-Delay-60 ... 133wt_1139 - and bolt it in?

AS far as my wiring diagram is concerned btw, there is nothing on switch position one, although there is a spare blue wire coming off of the ignition switch, but it doesn't go anywhere. This could be a pick up point for position one I suppose.
 
redrover said:
Hmm... You're very right, RM!

I must admit, I had worked out a circuit diagram a few months back, and it seemed to work, but I think I might need to go back to the drawing board.....! I hadn't quite considered the fact that other accessories are off pos1. Will have a little head-scratch and see what I can come up with.... :D
Click to expand...

I hadn't thought of that either! Then again, how about a switch between relay 2 and earth? Sadly more components, and therefore more failure points! :(
 
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