Upper console

[Nitrate]

I have a 1981 2000. Will the early version of the upper console with the metal speaker grill fit in my car? Will the speaker grill panel only fit in my existing 1981 upper console? I like the early look better than my current set up. Thanks, RB.

[spidernut]

It will fit but the round hazard switch in your console will not fit the earlier consoles. The earlier ones had a rectangular hazard switch. You'd have to convert to the earlier switch which has a different wiring harness.

[Nitrate]

Thanks Spidernut. Is the required wiring a big job? It's not my strong point. RB

[spidernut]

I'd imagine it would be given all the junk that runs through the switches. You'd have to get it right or you could cause some pretty severe electrical problems. I've not seen anyone convert the switches.

[njoconnor]

I agree with spidernut that wiring the square hazard switch into your car will be tricky. Before giving up, you may want to compare the wiring diagrams between the 80-84 and the early (70-74) models which had a couple of versions of the square switch. It's possible you could identify and connect the correct circuits to the different switch. I'm not sure, though, having never seen the round switch.

When I replaced my original square switch with the newer one available through the vendors, I had to do some circuit sleuthing to figure out the correct connections. See my old thread, here:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... 89#p222089

The square switches have letters molded near each spade terminal, and those are entered on the photo in the thread. The co-crimped violet and white wires were inbound power from the fuse block (violet) and outbound power lead to the dash courtesy light. Grey and red ran to the turn signals and hazard flasher, respectively. The co-crimped yellow/black powered the seat belt buzzers/switches in my 72; I removed those devices and capped the lead ends. I'd see if the wiring diagram for your car has similar connections, which could inform the decision about making the console change.

Neil

[Nitrate]

Thank you Neil for taking the time to post that very informative reply. RB

[spider2081]

I think the Volkswagen Hazard Switch, 75-80 VW Rabbit Jetta Scirocco Mk1 ~ 175 953, is a rectangular shaped switch with similar contact function as the Fiat round switch. Below is a link to a photo of the switch.

https://www.google.com/search?q=hazard+ ... 687wQQM%3A

The schematic on the side of the switch resembles the wire diagram of the round switch used in the later model Spiders

[njoconnor]

RB: an update to my last post.

One yellow/black lead carries power to the seat belt buzzer; the other carries power to the handbrake/brake system warning light, thence to the fasten seat belt warning light.

There's a strong chance you'll have to play with the various leads off the back of the switch; there are two terminals I did not even use. Using a multimeter would tell you whether these were switched (through the hazard) or current pass through's.

I continue to be surprised at how many of my car's minor subsystems appear to be daisy chained, especially on the power feed side of things.

BTW....I have scanned in my North American 72 Spider wiring diagram. It differs, in small but occasionally aggravating ways, from other diagrams covering the same year span. PM me and I'll kick a copy to you. Nothing huge, and Brad's work is still the best reference, but the ones I have may keep the air less blue while yer working on the car.....

Neil

[Nitrate]

Thanks Neil. I have an 81' with the round push in button. Have you had a look at the terminals on that one? Does it look like I'd have a shot at making the rectangular switch work by attaching the wires off of the round button flasher on to the rectangular hazard switch. RB

[njoconnor]

RB, I looked at a picture of the round switch in one of the vendor sites, but can't see the terminals, or their labels, on the rear of the switch. Can't help you there; never had to worry about the round switch (my 72 has a square one).

I'd check the round switch for letters identifying the terminals, use the wiring diagrams to identify the circuits connecting to/from the switch, then look at the earleir (mid 70's) wiring charts at Brad's site artigue.com. A comparison ought to show whether it's feasible or not, depending on what's connected to/thru the two different types of switch.

Neil

[Nitrate]

Thank you Neil, appreciate you time. RB

[spider2081]

I found this some time ago. hope it helps

[Nitrate]

Spider 2081. I don't get any image from your post. RB

[Nitrate]

Spider, My bad I do see the image now. Thanks, RB

[spider2081]

So what I am thinking is if you have a rectangular cut out in your panel for a hazard switch. I might be easiest to purchase the rectangular switch in my earlier post. Then remove the wires (one at a time) from the round connector (noting the terminal numbers) and put them on the corresponding terminals on the new rectangular switch. Use shrink sleeving or another insulating method on each terminal. I have not done this myself, however the terminal numbers I can read in the picture of the rectangular switch match the terminal numbers in the hand made drawing. Also I don't know if the Volkswagen rectangular switch is the same size as the Fiat rectangular switch. I believe the older Fiat rectangular switch contacts operate differently than the round switch contacts because the rectangular switch works with a separate hazard flasher. The round switch shares a single flasher for signal lights and hazard lights.