Technical Installing 4-way flashing hazard warning lights

[gloverbi]

Anyone know how I go about installing a standard 4-way flashing hazard light system in my 1967 fiat 500F? How would I integrate that in the light switching box under the hood?

I also want to install the switch for the curbside reverse light as well; unless it had a backup light in this model already and mine is just blown.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Bambino]

With respect to the hazard lights, I'd visit your local autoelectrician and talk to them about it. Sometimes it is quite easy to wire up the turn signals to flash in unison, but frequently it is a hassle. Why do you want to do this ? Bambinos never break down, do they ?

And the reversing light - my 500F is not fitted with one, though it should not be difficult once you get access to the base of the gear lever to fit a switch. Once again, an autoelectrician should be able to help.

Chris

 

[gloverbi]

Sure, they never break down....lol Thanks for the advice although I was pretty sure other than going to an auto electrician outright, I was out of options.

The reason, as you asked, is to pass the inspection station when I get it to Germany. Either I register it as an antique which means I can only drive it to shows or rarely elsewhere, or I modify it to meet generic safety standards like seat belts and 4 way lights in order to register it like any other car and drive it endlessly.

 

[maddogmorg]

You can get kits to fit Hazards to a car without them http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=13163&SortOrder=1 is just one example of whats available. the only thing is the turn signals must not intefere with the hazards but this kit should sort that out.

i'm assuming your 500 is 12v negative earth? if not it might be harder to obtain a kit but still possible.

as for the reverse light, it's a bit more difficult, usually reverse lights are built in to the gearbox, do later models have the reverse light?

 

[fiat500]

I have been "bricking it" occasionally when encountering unexpected hold-ups on the twisting and unlit roads where I do most of my driving. It's scary to be round a corner or in a dip in the road when 38 tonne lorries are battling to keep up with timings. There is also the very remote possibility that a Fiat 500 might break down...in fact mine did just that, in the dark, a week ago.
The original posting wasn't much help to me but with a bit of research I found that you can get a switch that's not too ugly, is easy to fit and which has its own relay so that the hazards can function independently of the direction indicator. The one I bought was on Ebay UK for about £13; no point linking to it as Ebay links can die.
I found that there are some unused holes under the dashboard, one of which is in just the right place, so I drilled an extra one and used two M6 nuts and bolts, using one to secure the earthing eyelet, and fixed it firmly:
MAL_5740 by Peter Thompson, on Flickr
MAL_5734 by Peter Thompson, on Flickr
In addition to the earth cable, the prewired unit unit comes with two outputs which are to be connected to the indicator circuit for each side of the car and the supply feed cable. These are in a cute, sleeved loom which I threaded through a grommeted hole that I had to drill through the bulkhead. The cables needed extension; I joined the cables using solder and then heatshrink sleeving.
MAL_5729 by Peter Thompson, on Flickr
I wanted to have minimal impact on the original wiring and having been warned off Scotchloks I needed to get into it at existing terminals. I found that the fused terminal 1 of the fusebox has an unswitched feed from the battery, which would ensure that the switch could operate when the ignition was turned off...a legal requirement in the UK. Just above the fusebox there is a square connector that links the front an rear indicator circuits and the sidelights. The spade connectors have a special tag which lock them into the connector. It took a bit of force to remove them and then the tag needs bending back before reinserting. I cleaned up all the spades and soldered the appropriate cables in place. A bit of insulating tape gave some extra security.
MAL_5731 by Peter Thompson, on Flickr
All cables were tidied up and taped together into the existing loom and secured under the metal tabs.
So now I have hazards. Hooray. What do I modify next?
MAL_5739 by Peter Thompson, on Flickr

Yes I know it needs cleaning.

 

[IanEmery]

Peter, nice job BUT you drilled holes in your car? Whatever next?

 

[fiat500]

Peter, nice job BUT you drilled holes in your car? Whatever next?

Me and the car had a stiff drink each first...the amount of alcohol in petrol these days, Murf didn't feel a thing.

 

[AndrewHarvey]

This is serious modding now Peter.....