To avoid acid residue build-up on battery terminal posts and cable clamps, place a copper penny on top of the battery between the battery posts. (The copper penny will usually stay in place without falling off.) The copper in the penny will absorb the acid residue from the posts and keep the terminal posts and…
This is not uncommon- every time you put in a new fuse, it blows before you have a chance to figure out where the problem is… Next time, replace the fuse with an old turn signal flasher (one that works). Attach the two leads of the turn signal flasher to the contacts where the fuse…
Engine ground straps are essential, as they provide the ground connection for the starter motor, which typically draws 200-300 amperes. Should a ground strap be badly frayed, corroded, or otherwise unable to support this current, the starter motor will not be able to function efficiently. In extreme cases, the current will be carried by whatever…
The pair of original equipment horns on mt TR4 had never worked properly and despite adjustments of the tone screws, along with liberal doses of WD40, they refused to behave. The Haynes manual maintains that they are not user-serviceable and a quick inspection reveals that this woudl appear true; the halves that comprise the horn…
A significant improvement in tail lamp brightness can be achieved by making a reflector out of silver mylar. Don’t bother trying to cut the mylar to exact size. It’s too flimsy to work with easily. Fold an oversized piece into quarters, and cut off the corner to make hole just large enough for the base…
My `54 TF developed a condition that would result in a dead battery after being parked for more than a month. Normal trouble-shooting tests revealed a constant current drain of about .2 amps. The problem was traced to the horns. It seems that rain water had entered them and built up a conductive layer of…
Tired of breaking those little side marker bulbs on your British car? Seems like every time you try to pull one out or put one in, either the bulb breaks or you get your fingers sliced on the housing. Here’s an easier way. Take a 1/2″ internal diameter hose line length, and insert it over…
As a small child, one of the great mysteries of life was whether or not the light stayed on in the refrigerator after you closed the door. This is a big issue for most kids. Unfortunately, I could never figure out how to tell for sure without getting inside and closing the door, and I…
If you have ever wondered how that simple looking little three prong flasher unit actually performs the task of blinking the turn signal lamps on and off this no-nonsense explanation should unveil the mystery. Beyond that, it will provide information of a practical nature which should be useful in diagnosing and repairing a faulty turn…
Two basic tools are essential for trouble shooting electrical problems – a wiring diagram, and a 12 volt test light. A test light is an inexpensive little tool that looks like a cross between an ice pick and an electric screwdriver. Simple to use, it is connected by its clip to a ground. The sharp…
