Alfasud interior light dimmer

Started by Alfa.mg, February 29, 2016, 07:49:09 PM

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Alfa.mg

Hi all,
Whats the story with the dashboard light dimmer in the sud? it doesnt appear to be on any of the sud wiring diagrams, for any model. I realise they are disconnected to improve the brightness on the very dim lights. Im hoping mine was cut free about 20yrs ago before it burnt out. I have found it on an early gtv wiring diagram.
1983 alfasud TI 1.5 silver
1990 Alfa 33 cloverleaf 1.7 white
2001 Alfa 156 2.0 red
2003 Alfa 147 2.0 red
2001 Alfa 156 2.5 Monza silver (now)
1983 Alfa Sud TI 1.5 red (now)
1974 berlina 2000 white (1 too many)

colcol

It is one of those bizarro world things that Alfa Romeo did with the Sud, most likely didn't have one in 1972, but as the Sud went upmarket they added a dimmer switch later on, or was it an Australian Design Rule situation.
Its been 7 long years since i drove a Sud and if i remember rightly it is a round knurled knob, in a shield, so you don't accidently knock it, under the instrument binnacle on the left or right of the steering column.
It was a long time before i discovered it on the Sud, was doing some work, and i twirled the knob, and it felt like a resistor pot, and the instruments went from dull, to can't see, to off.
33 intstrument dimmer is much better, higher placed with all the other switches, and every few years it will give a puff of smoke, and its time for a new/second hand/stolen switch, Colin.
1974 VW Passat [ist car] 1984 Alfa 33TI [daily driver] 2002 Alfa 156 JTS [daily driver]

Alfa.mg

Thanks Col, Well that makes sense. Had a bit of luck. Mine works but i might connect it to the center console lighting leaving speedo and tacho fully poorly lit at all times. And if i use connectors to the back of it, when it blows ill be able to reach under and join the two bypassing the dimmer. I should leave the next guy a diagram of what ive done....nah cant make it too easy. Im only messing with it coz its completely messed up now, managed to get all services working again.
1983 alfasud TI 1.5 silver
1990 Alfa 33 cloverleaf 1.7 white
2001 Alfa 156 2.0 red
2003 Alfa 147 2.0 red
2001 Alfa 156 2.5 Monza silver (now)
1983 Alfa Sud TI 1.5 red (now)
1974 berlina 2000 white (1 too many)