Coupe Electrical problems (maybe)

[Doug Duncan]

I just had the problem of the annual MOT test on the Beta coupe.

The only thing it failed on was the horn which was silent for its big moment. Of course as soon as I came to
drive away it burst into life. When I later came to take the shroud off to see what the problem was I noticed
that a temporary earth that put on (probably to pass an earlier MOT) had fatigued the cable which had then
wrapped itself around the steering column.

So the question is :- What is the correct way of attaching an earth to the steering so the horn works
keeping in mind that because the top part of the column rotates in a bearing it is insulated from the rest of the
supporting metalwork. I discovered that earthing one of the steering arms does the job but that was the only
part I could reach easily.

Leading on from this is another problem I'm having where the alternator adjuster arm is self destructing. There
is a small support component which bolts to the inlet cam box. On this is a threaded bolt which goes
through a hole in the adjusting arm. Both the adjusting arm and the support component have a cup which encloses a
plastic grommet. I have replaced the grommet and in the course of about 2-3000 miles it has degraded and fallen
apart. The previous support thing and arm were severely damaged to the extent that the hole was enlarged all the
way to the edge of the arm. The hole on the new one is also enlarging and it may need to be replaced.

I am wondering if there is an electrical problem where the alternator is earthing itself through the arm etc. and spark
erosion is causing the problem.
I have a good solid earth strap which is connected from the alternator body to the engine.

Do people think the earth strap should go somewhere else? Where is it connected on the standard installation.


Any help with this will be much appreciated.


Best Regards,

Doug