Dashboard Tidy

[mrs.smith2012]

Does anyone have anything like this in their car? (the panel with the switches). It was put in back when the extra lights etc were added. I’ll be honest I don’t like it, particularly the digital clock which although useful, doesn’t suit the theme.

Two of the switches are dead so I’m wondering if it would be quite a straightforward procedure to remove this panel and adding two more discreet switches for the reverse and fog lights?

I don’t want to start pulling it about and make it look worse than it already does

IMG_9085.jpeg (1.05 MiB) Viewed 153230 times

[svenedin]

I agree it's not in keeping at all. It looks like something out of 1970's BBC low-budget sci-fi.

Stephen

[myoldjalopy]

Yes, get rid of it. Ugly. Looks like Dr. Frankenstein has been at work again!

[geoberni]

I agree it's not in keeping at all. It looks like something out of 1970's BBC low-budget sci-fi.

Stephen

Two of the switches are dead so I’m wondering if it would be quite a straightforward procedure to remove this panel and adding two more discreet switches for the reverse and fog lights?

Looks home made with that grey Hammerite paint finish.

A panel to take round switches would be more appropriate to what the car has fitted and they are readily available to mount between 1-5 switches.

[Bill_qaz]

I fitted two small black panel below the dash, they hold more traditional metal toggle switch and a warning light. Left for reverse lamp and right for rear fog light. I also have a clock but a more period round type.

20260211_131730.jpg (523.74 KiB) Viewed 153165 times

[svenedin]

I fitted two small black panel below the dash, they hold more traditional metal toggle switch and a warning light. Left for reverse lamp and right for rear fog light.
20220310_131744.jpg

Your heater seems to be missing screws in the case on bottom right.

Stephen

[Bill_qaz]

I fitted two small black panel below the dash, they hold more traditional metal toggle switch and a warning light. Left for reverse lamp and right for rear fog light.
20220310_131744.jpg

Your heater seems to be missing screws in the case on bottom right.

Stephen

It was an old picture, just edited with a newer one

[mrs.smith2012]

Haha I’m glad you guys agree with my assessment

Bill’s example looks much tidier, I’d like something like that.

Given my limited experience you think this is a job I could undertake myself or more specialised? Bearing in mind I’d have to detatch the wires from the current switches and rewire them into new ones. The two dead switches still have wires behind them but they’ve been cut and taped off, so I guess I’d just have to tuck them out of the way somewhere?

[geoberni]

Haha I’m glad you guys agree with my assessment

Bill’s example looks much tidier, I’d like something like that.

Given my limited experience you think this is a job I could undertake myself or more specialised? Bearing in mind I’d have to detatch the wires from the current switches and rewire them into new ones. The two dead switches still have wires behind them but they’ve been cut and taped off, so I guess I’d just have to tuck them out of the way somewhere?

Swapping connections from the old to the new shouldn't be a problem.
You can always mark them with a bit of tape, or a permanent marker pen if they are the same colour.

The redundant ones, if possible, I'd remove them rather than tucking them somewhere.
For example, if each switch has a live feed going to it, you don't want stray live cables laying around.
Minors aren't that big or complicated that you can't readily trace them and pull them out.

[mrs.smith2012]

Haha I’m glad you guys agree with my assessment

Bill’s example looks much tidier, I’d like something like that.

Given my limited experience you think this is a job I could undertake myself or more specialised? Bearing in mind I’d have to detatch the wires from the current switches and rewire them into new ones. The two dead switches still have wires behind them but they’ve been cut and taped off, so I guess I’d just have to tuck them out of the way somewhere?

Swapping connections from the old to the new shouldn't be a problem.
You can always mark them with a bit of tape, or a permanent marker pen if they are the same colour.

The redundant ones, if possible, I'd remove them rather than tucking them somewhere.
For example, if each switch has a live feed going to it, you don't want stray live cables laying around.
Minors aren't that big or complicated that you can't readily trace them and pull them out.

Nell must be an exception as her wires are CRAZY… it’s spaghetti junction in there. I suppose I could spend some time trying to figure out what goes where… maybe a job for the warmer weather!

[geoberni]

Nell must be an exception as her wires are CRAZY… it’s spaghetti junction in there. I suppose I could spend some time trying to figure out what goes where… maybe a job for the warmer weather!

Even more reason to remove redundant wiring. When you don't know what Past Owners have done, there could be an electrical fire waiting for the chance to catch you out.

Always have respect for the electrical system, even if it is 'just' 12 volts.

I recently found this video on youtube.
All respect to Mike for posting this; given how many basic mistakes he makes, I'm not sure I'd post it, unless as a warning to others to follow basic safety precautions around the battery....
Given where it happens, I'm not even sure he knows the difference between the Choke Cable and the Accelerator...
https://youtu.be/BCa9h-T69M4?t=45

A good chance he's warped the plates in the battery a little, so shortening the life of the battery.

Remember the primary rule about the Battery, whether it is Positive or Negative Earth, the Earth is always Disconnect First and Connect Last.

[moggiethouable]

Morning,
you will see lots of options if you google "chrome car toggle switch"
period switches will abound.

[svenedin]

Nell must be an exception as her wires are CRAZY… it’s spaghetti junction in there. I suppose I could spend some time trying to figure out what goes where… maybe a job for the warmer weather!

Even more reason to remove redundant wiring. When you don't know what Past Owners have done, there could be an electrical fire waiting for the chance to catch you out.

Always have respect for the electrical system, even if it is 'just' 12 volts.

I recently found this video on youtube.
All respect to Mike for posting this; given how many basic mistakes he makes, I'm not sure I'd post it, unless as a warning to others to follow basic safety precautions around the battery....
Given where it happens, I'm not even sure he knows the difference between the Choke Cable and the Accelerator...
https://youtu.be/BCa9h-T69M4?t=45

A good chance he's warped the plates in the battery a little, so shortening the life of the battery.

Remember the primary rule about the Battery, whether it is Positive or Negative Earth, the Earth is always Disconnect First and Connect Last.

Good video. I had a similar scare many years ago. The starter solenoid jammed on when I was starting the car. Even though I turned the ignition switch off, the starter motor spun ceaselessly because the solenoid was stuck on. Rapidly, the starter motor started to overheat (it isn't designed to run continuously) and smoke started to appear along with the terrifying smell of overheating electrical equipment. I frantically tried to pull off the battery clamps with my bare hands but they were too secure so I then had to run for a spanner whilst all the while thinking the car was going to go up in flames. Fortunately, I managed to disconnect the battery and no harm was done either to me or the car but I was badly shaken up by the experience. The next day I fitted a quick battery disconnect and I would argue this is absolutely essential and should be considered mandatory. Unfortunately, my quick disconnect is on the live side and not the earth because the dis-car-nect type shut off does not fit the positive battery terminal and my car is positive earth. It's on my list to sort out.

Stephen

[mike1864]

I agree it's not in keeping at all. It looks like something out of 1970's BBC low-budget sci-fi.

Stephen

ISTR that the cheap switches for the "special features" on James Bond's 1960's Aston Martin had Dymo labels.
And - as a homage/in-joke - didn't even the later, high budget, films carry on the Dymo tradition?
I try to minimise any retrofits below the dash, as a potential injury risk. I've even replaced the parcel shelf's front rail with a thin wooden batten; much more fragile than a tibia.

[Bill_qaz]

I agree it's not in keeping at all. It looks like something out of 1970's BBC low-budget sci-fi.

Stephen

ISTR that the cheap switches for the "special features" on James Bond's 1960's Aston Martin had Dymo labels.
And - as a homage/in-joke - didn't even the later, high budget, films carry on the Dymo tradition?
I try to minimise any retrofits below the dash, as a potential injury risk. I've even replaced the parcel shelf's front rail with a thin wooden batten; much more fragile than a tibia.

The under dash switches are well above. If my tibia reaches the switches it will already have passed through the parcel shelf rail and the heater box, so a plastic switch surround will be irrelevant

Luckily mine came with battery isolator fitted on ground cable. Its bulkhead mounted and accessed inside the car alongside the bonnet release.

[mrs.smith2012]

I’ve seen the video of Lucy and Mike, I follow their channel.. it terrified me!

Currently don’t do anything relating to wires or battery unless I have a competent friend with me. I have been advised by the auto electrician who fitted the hazards that the electrics are fine just a mess.. but still safe. I suppose I could have insisted that he completely detangle and remove the unused wires and I’m sure he would have done it but I think I would have got quite a hefty bill as it probably would have taken half the day!
My brother in law is an electrician… perhaps I’ll have him supervise while I distangle things. I’m concerned about the wires now

[Bill_qaz]

I’ve seen the video of Lucy and Mike, I follow their channel.. it terrified me!

Currently don’t do anything relating to wires or battery unless I have a competent friend with me. I have been advised by the auto electrician who fitted the hazards that the electrics are fine just a mess.. but still safe. I suppose I could have insisted that he completely detangle and remove the unused wires and I’m sure he would have done it but I think I would have got quite a hefty bill as it probably would have taken half the day!
My brother in law is an electrician… perhaps I’ll have him supervise while I distangle things. I’m concerned about the wires now

A cheap uncomplicated test light, such as in the link, would let you know if wires are live. A good start to build confidence, especially if you could get your brother in law to give you a demo.
https://ebay.us/m/6Nquc5

[mrs.smith2012]

I’ve seen the video of Lucy and Mike, I follow their channel.. it terrified me!

Currently don’t do anything relating to wires or battery unless I have a competent friend with me. I have been advised by the auto electrician who fitted the hazards that the electrics are fine just a mess.. but still safe. I suppose I could have insisted that he completely detangle and remove the unused wires and I’m sure he would have done it but I think I would have got quite a hefty bill as it probably would have taken half the day!
My brother in law is an electrician… perhaps I’ll have him supervise while I distangle things. I’m concerned about the wires now

A cheap uncomplicated test light, such as in the link, would let you know if wires are live. A good start to build confidence, especially if you could get your brother in law to give you a demo.
https://ebay.us/m/6Nquc5

I think we might even have one of these knocking about…. As far as I’m aware the wires that aren’t attached to anything are no longer live but so tangled in amongst all the other wiring it was easier to just leave them where they were even if it looks untidy. Would be good for me to double check for myself though… especially if I plan to rewire some switches! Thank you!

[Bill_qaz]

Worth checking they don't become live when something is switched on, such as lights, ign etc.
Especially if you cannot trace where the start.

[geoberni]

Worth checking they don't become live when something is switched on, such as lights, ign etc.
Especially if you cannot trace where the start.

Very True.
Our cars are all 70 or so years old, in the majority of cases having been through a dozen or two of owners, so often a multitude of sins have taken place...