Whats this box under the dash?

For all those wiring gremlins we love, this is the place to discuss them.

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MetBlue
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Whats this box under the dash?

Post by MetBlue »

Can anyone help me identify the black box on the right in this photo? - MY 92 Excel
Image

It's not the wiper control module. That's been off, but is now stuck back in it's rightful place.
I know the box on the left is the alarm module and it's got plenty of electrical interface to this box, but the plug / socket looks like OEM, so I don't think it's part of the alarm.
But I can't find it in the parts list or manual. It was just hanging in there, like the alarm module.

Tony
What goes together.... Must come apart.

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Pete Boole
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Re: Whats this box under the dash?

Post by Pete Boole »

You can't guess at it's function from the wire colours? Can't quite make them out in the photo.

Pete

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Crowman30
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Re: Whats this box under the dash?

Post by Crowman30 »

It could be a cruise control unit?

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Tanz
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Re: Whats this box under the dash?

Post by Tanz »

Could it be a factory fitted alarm?
What doesn't work if you disconnect it?
Cheers, Phil
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AlSmith
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Re: Whats this box under the dash?

Post by AlSmith »

If the small black thing that looks like an ear piece (ideally 2 of them) connects to the box could it be part of the alarm - ultrasonic sensor?

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MetBlue
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Re: Whats this box under the dash?

Post by MetBlue »

The Ultra Sonic sensors ( ear buds) feed into the Alarm module on the left in the photo with the red writing on.

There are 8 wires, colours as best I can make out :
Red, Brown, Yellow/Black, Red/Grey
Blue, Black, Black/White, Red/Black.

I can try seeing what doesn't work with it unplugged, but it might not be too telling right now, The dash is out, hence all clocks and central console electrics also out.
I thought that whilst I have best possible access to the wiring, I'd at least tidy up the area's where the alarm has been spliced in.

The other reason I think it is a Lotus direct fit ( besides the proper automotive multi plug) is that there are least 3 wires from the alarm module spliced into the wires feeding this. If it was part of the GM 30 alarm, surely they would have plugged these.

Tony
What goes together.... Must come apart.

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Re: Whats this box under the dash?

Post by Hawaiis0 »

Looks similar to an CEL Immobiliser
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

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Re: Whats this box under the dash?

Post by MetBlue »

True to my footer, I noticed 2 screws on the back - so they just had to come out

Image

So we have 2 relays. Could then also see that what I thought was a brown wire is actually purple.

Tomorrow, I'll head further up the loom away from the connector. I'm beginning to think this isn't something Lotus fitted and is part of the alarm ( immobiliser as Stu suggests), Other than an anti tamper label across the housing saying "void if removed" - Oops, there are absolutely no labels, names or part numbers I can see on either the plastic housing or the circuit board. Surely if it was OEM, Lotus would have at least written a part number on it?

Tony
What goes together.... Must come apart.

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Re: Whats this box under the dash?

Post by Hawaiis0 »

That opened looks like a wiper module innards

Image
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Excel SA
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Re: Whats this box under the dash?

Post by Excel SA »

I've just had a look at my wiring loom (it's out the car and easily accessible....), and can't find a connector with those wires on it at all.

It looks like there is a purple wire as well as a green and white one. There are purple wires from various fuses - 2,3,4 and 6 that feed interior and door lights, radio and the hazard switch, and green and white ones are linked to the indicators on the right hand side of the car (green and red are LHS indicators). I'll be fitting a remote lock/unlock and alarm system to my car and those are the colour of wires I'll be connecting to for that system.....

The wiper control box has a different connector - more connections and different shape. Cruise control is also a different connector and that box is on the passenger side on my car.

Neil.

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Re: Whats this box under the dash?

Post by Zaphod »

That looks to be to be an remote locking module spliced in to arm the alarm?
Of all the things I have lost I think I miss my mind the most...

1952 MG TD
1957 MGA 1500
1959 Austin Healey Sprite
1975 MG Midget 1500
1990 Lotus Excel

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