high beam FIAT 500 1960 1.G Workshop Manual

CHAPTER 11
THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
11:1 Description
11:2 Battery
11:3 The generator
11:4 The starter
11:5 The control box
1 1 : 6 Fuses
1 1 : 7 Flasher unit
11:1 Description
All models covered by this manual have 12 volts
electrical systems in which the negative battery terminal
is earthed. There are three units in the regulator box to
control the charging circuit; a cut-out, a current regulator
and a voltage regulator. These are adjustable but it must
be stressed that accurate moving coil meters are required
when checking or altering the settings. Cheap and
unreliable instruments will make accurate adjustments
impossible.
There are wiring diagrams in Technical Data at the end
of this manual to enable those with electrical experience
to trace and correct wiring faults.
For t h e U.K. Market the headlamps are of the double
filament dipping renewable bulb type with adjustments
for individual beam settings.
The battery is located in the front compartment
forward of the petrol tank and the fuses to the rear o f the
petrol tank.
Detailed instructions for servicing the electrical equip-
ment will be found in this chapter, but it must be pointed
out that it is not sensible to try to repair that which is
seriously defective, electrically or mechanically. Such
equipment should be replaced by new units which can
be obtained on an exchange basis.
F500111
11 :8 Windscreen wipers
1 1 : 9 The lighting system
11:10 Panel and warning lights
11:11 The horn
11:12 Lighting and flasher switch
1 1 : 1 3 Fault diagnosis
11.2 The battery
This of the 12-volt lead/acid type and has to meet
heavy demands for current particularly in the winter. To
maintain the performance of the battery at its maximum
it is essential to carry out the following operations.
Keep the top of the battery and surrounding parts dry
and clean, as dampness can cause leakage between the
securing clamps and the battery terminals. Clean off any
corrosion from the metal parts of the battery mounting
with diluted ammonia and paint them with an anti-
sulphuric paint. If the terminal posts are corroded,
remove the cables and clean w i t h diluted ammonia.
Smear the posts w i t h petroleum jelly before remaking the
connections and fit the terminals securely. High electrical
resistance due to corrosion at the terminal posts is often
responsible for lack of sufficient current to operate the
starter motor.
Ensure t h a t the filler plugs are in good condition and
show no signs of cracks. This may cause leakage of
electrolyte and consequent corrosion. Test the condition
of the cells after topping-up the electrolyte level with
distilled water to just above the tops of the separators as
shown in FIG 11 :2 . Never add neat acid. If it is
necessary to make a new electrolyte due to loss by
spillage add sulphuric acid to the
distilled water.
It is highly dangerous to add water to acid.

FIG 11:18 Replacement of bulb from inside f r o n tcompartment
Key to Fig 11 :18 1 Double-filament bulb 2 Bulbholder
3 Side direction indicator light 4 Bulbholder shield
PARKING LAMP
LENS
SIDE DIRECTIONINDICATOR
FIG 11 :19 Disassembling front parking and direction
indicator lamp
Replacement of the bulb is achieved from inside the front
compartment by pulling down the upper lug of the
rubber protection cap at the rear of t h e headlight unit and
freeing the bulb holder. Pull up the bulb holder to
reflector fastener spring and pull out the bulb holder
complete and replace the bulb as necessary.
Beam setting:
Accurate setting is best left to a service station
equipped with the necessary equipment. The main beams
must be set parallel to the road surface or in accordance
with local regulations. Adjustment is made by turning
the top screw 1 as indicated in FIG 11:17 for the
vertical setting and the lower screw 2 for the horizontal
setting.
122
FIG 11 : 20 Disassembling tail parking, stop, direction
indicator lamp and reflector lens REFLECTOR LENS PARKING A N D
STOP LAMP INDICATOR LAMP
DIRECTION
LENSLENS
SCREWS
Lamps light when switched on but gradually fade:
Check the battery as it is incapable of supplying
current for any length of time. Front parking and direction indicator lamp:
To replace the double filament bulb, release the screws
securing the lens to the lamp casing as shown in FIG
11 :19 and remove the bulb from its bayonet holder. Where
the parking lamp is in the headlamp unit the bulbholder
can be pulled out inside the front compartment.
Rear parking, direction indicator, stop lamps and
reflector lens:
To renew any of the t w o bulbs remove the t w o screws
securing the lens to the lamp casing as shown in FIG
11 : 2 0. Bulbs are fixed by bayonet couplings.
Side direction indicator lamps:
To replace the 2.5W bulb slide off the bulb holder
from the rubber socket located as shown in FIG 11 :19.
The bulb is secured by a bayonet coupling.
Number plate lamp:
To replace the bayonet coupled 5W bulb remove the
lens and light cap mounting screws as shown in FIG
11:21.
Lamps give insufficient light:
Test the state of charge of the battery and recharge if it
is necessary from an independent supply. Check the
setting of the lamps. If the bulbs have darkened through
age fit new ones.
Lamps burn out frequently:
If this is accompanied by a need for frequent topping-
up of the battery and high hydrometer readings, check
the charging rate with an ammeter when the car is
running. This should be around 3 to 4 amps. A reading in
excess of this calls for adjustment of the regulator.