General 1971 Lusso, dashboard control questions.

Currently reading:
General 1971 Lusso, dashboard control questions.

Pete145

Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2014
Messages
288
Points
85
Last night (late last night) I took delivery of my fully restored 1971 500 Lusso. It's had some work done to the engine. The head has been skimmed, ported, gas flowed, valves have been raised and a new exhaust fitted to give it an extra 30%BHP. The guys also bored the cylinders and replaced the pistons.

All in all, pretty much a new engine that will need to be run-in pretty gently.

Two things, firstly this might seem like a really dumb question, but the guys that delivered it couldn't really 'walk me round' the car and tell me about it's nuances. There's no owners manual, so as stupid as it sounds I'm not sure what the switches and steering wheel stalks do!

I've figured most of it out (common sense). A switch for the lights, a switch for the wipers, but what's the third switch for? I flick it on and off and it doesn't see to do anything.

Obviously the one stalk is for the indicators, but the other one doesn't seem to do anything at all. Again, can anyone confirm what it does?

Also, the dashboard lights. Can anyone tell me what they are? I've already ascertained that the fuel gauge isn't working!
 
If it is the same as a 500F then the third switch will be for the light in the dashboard?

The stalks are for indicators as you have found out and driving lights, dipped, main and side lights.

I am not familiar with 500L dashboard.

Tony
 
Thanks again Tony.

I haven't played around with it in the dark yet, which explain why flicking that dashboard switch isn't obviously doing anything. I'd guessed that the other stalk was headlight related, but again will play with it in the dark (so to speak).

Pete
 
Welcome to the forum!


Also, the dashboard lights. Can anyone tell me what they are? I've already ascertained that the fuel gauge isn't working!


From the left:


1st red light - low fuel warning
2nd red light - dynamo / alternator warning light
3rd green light - 'lights on' warning light
4th blue light - high beam warning light


The second stalk gives you side lights (uppermost position) dipped headlights (middle position) and high beam (lower position)
 
Awesome, thanks!

Final question, there are also some sliders and switches under the dash, which I assume control the airflow of the heater.
 
Yes there are knobs to turn under the dash to allow heat on your legs. In order to get heat there is a small plastic L-handle if you reach back from the driver's seat. It is located at the base of the rear seat. Flip it out and it will open the door to allow heat from the engine into the cabin.
 
Manuals for the 500 are available on the web. There used to be a whole set in Italian on the website of the Fiat 500 club of Italy, look to see if they're still there
 
Back
Top