1973 3.0cs automatic indicator not working

CTD

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Hi all,

I just bought a 3.0cs from 1973. It's an automatic but it has some issues.

-the shift indicator on top of the steering wheel isn't working. I need to know how this thingy knows what gear the car is in... Where can I find the 'sensor' that sends the signal...?
 
Ix-nay on the shifter position at the console. IIRC from changing out my auto trans many a moon ago, there is a gizmo that fits on the side of the trans that's shaped generally like a piece of pie. A wire bundle leads from the shifter quadrant (think that's what it's called) up to the steering column mounted indicator.

Understand that the shift indicator has no particular value to the driver... he should be aware whether he's in P, R, N, D or L.

Non-working indicator could be lots of things... I would see if there's a fuse that might have blown...then whether the bulbs are any good... get under and see if the connector is connected... then avail myself of a wiring diagram and trace power to ground.

Lots of us have converted from auto to manual trans. There are probably shifter quadrants gathering dust in many a mancave, but I expect you'd rather find, as would I, a simple fix for it. Meantime I wouldn't lose sleep over whether the thing works or not.

IIRC again, the Bavaria used the same or similar part.

HTH
 
I think Correct on the Honolulu comment.
Autos have a wire bundle coming from the left side of tranny.
Tranny wires are striped different.
 
Yup, looks like this:

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Do your backup lights work? The signal for these lights also comes from this thing. On my car, the connector from this pie shaped box sat on top of the pedal housing extension between the brake booster and the firewall.
 
The reverse lights work, 1 and 2 on the shift indicator work (lights). Rest of the shift indicator doesn't, nor does the turn signal indicator, horn and gas indicator.
 
Does the gear lever have any play? I had that issue when it had lots of play and it was cured by replacing a C-Clip on the linkage.

Else the bulbs could be bad for some of the gears.

Turn and horn are on the same fuse I recall.
 
Does the gear lever have any play? I had that issue when it had lots of play and it was cured by replacing a C-Clip on the linkage.

Else the bulbs could be bad for some of the gears.

Turn and horn are on the same fuse I recall.


I will check that... Strange thing is that the blinkers work on the exterior but not on the interior, I also can't hear it clicking...
 
Check to ensure that your grounds are in good shape. There is a stud inside the fuse door on the fender wall with multiple wires attached. Those circuits ground there; grounding at alternative locations can create problems.

After that, another suggestion would be to disconnect the plug just behind the brake booster near the firewall and check to see if you can measure current from the tranny switch. You obviously are getting current with the car in reverse (given that the backup light works and that 1 and 2 work).

This will tell you whether the problem is under the car or in the dash.
 
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I will check that... Strange thing is that the blinkers work on the exterior but not on the interior, I also can't hear it clicking...

That is a different can of worms, I once did a writeup on that and now forgot what I wrote.
A sad day when one needs to do a search of his own writings to learn from them...
 
Well Arde- good sailers always keep their charts nearby.
No matter how many times they cross the channel.
 
That is a different can of worms, I once did a writeup on that and now forgot what I wrote.
A sad day when one needs to do a search of his own writings to learn from them...

Many of us post here for exactly this reason.
 
It Depends

If you have a Borg Warner the neutral safety switch is on the side of the transmission, if you have a ZF the switch is in the shifter bucket.
 
Ctd, curious...did you ever resolve this?

I am also having a auto trans switch issue and had to use a jumper wire to start my car when I drove it from Winnipeg to bc last year. I will hopefully be getting the car out of mothballs soon and would like to fix that. Any leads appreciated.
Cheers
a
 
Hi all,

Well, there was a lot that needed resolving. Seems like my car was restored by someone who knew nothing about electricity. We find a lot of wires that were fused together, resolving in shorts all over the place. New wiring was installed and everything is fine now.
 
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