Fitting a Retro Sound Radio to Jaguar Mk2 3.8 - 1961

[344739lv]

Hi all - can anyone help?

I decided to treat myself (and the old girl) to a nice Retro Sound Radio upgrade. My car is a 1961 3.8 with Alternator and Neg Earth conversion - Electric Power Steering upgrade etc.

The old radio worked fine (switched to Neg Earth setting). The live wire was a permenant non switched live and the set was earthed to its own case....?!

I have tried wiring the memory live on the new unit to the previous permenant live, the main switchable live by taking a feed from the switched side of the ignition switch and earthing by connecting to chasis....

The trouble is I got smoke and blew the main 50amp fuse on the cars box. I can't believe it but I checked the connections - did it again and blew a second 50amp fuse.

I don't want to set the old girl on fire - so any idea where I am going wrong?

Tim

[piman]

Hello Tim,

what polarity is the new unit; if it is also negative earth then it sounds as if it's faulty?

Alec

[344739lv]

Alec - neg earth as well. Unit seems to work fine when set up independently of the car......

[piman]

Hello Tim,

rather strange then?

I would suggest an in line fuse on the radio feed, but that doesn't solve the problem? Does the fuse blow immediately it's connected or after the radio is switched on? It does sound like a cross polarity problem somehow?

Alec

[344739lv]

Alec,

Mystery solved. Nothing to do with Radio ...... Other than disturbance of ancient poorly insulated wiring which was earthing out by touching the Bulkhead. Nothing to do with radio other than my digging around may have moved something that has been around for years - allowing bare wires to touch metal!

Sorted

Tim

[smkhalid]

Hi Tim & All,
I have just joined your gang, having recently acquired a 1968 MK2. My question is this; where did your purchase the retro radio from, Tim? Also, does anyone have a good source for Lucas headlamps, other than eBay!
Thanks,
Shah

[Martec]

Hi,

You can try the attached link for SVC, I've had a few sets of lights from them and they are one of the few places that can supply parts or complete sets of parts for the later windscreen wipers.

Brian

[smkhalid]

Hi Brian,

Many thanks for the advice. I will give them a call on Monday. Looks like I can also pick up a pair of Lucas mirrors, too!

Shah