Help needed or I give up!

[gharper]

Just checked the wiring diagram and yes it does go through the ignition so car has to be running or on posit 2 (3 is to turn the starter, i think)

Anyway there isnt much to the stop lamp circuit.

get a meter.. put it on dc volts check three places.
Put negative on a good place on the body (or a wire to the neg of the battery)
Start the car.
then put positve in the fuse box slot with the fuse out (check both sides). Do you get a reading on one of them? 12-13.5 volts ish.
If yes, put the positive terminal of the meter on the brake light swich, press the peddle any voltage?
If yes, get someone to sit in the car and pree the peddle...check the multiplug at the back to confirm voltage there.

[ian drew]

Sounds like an earthing problem.

I can't remember off the top of my head where the earth to the rear cluster is, but using your multimeter check the resistance between the earth on the cluster and the cars earth (find some bare metal). There should be next to zero resistance. If there is some, probably a corroded earth connection. If the other side is OK at least you can compare the two.

Regarding backfiring, have you checked the fuel/air mixture recently? Dashpot got oil filled up?

Good luck,

Ian.

[redmaestro]

Solved!

Many thanks to all the help! The rotor arm is being glued this weekend and hoping to replace the camshaft to a more permanant fix. The brake light issue was silly. I undid the brake light bracket and removed the switch. The switch was stuck, so the lights were permantly in the 'off' position. I little spray of WD and good as new again. After a back-breaking afternoon and using a few choice words, I got it back in and working a treat.

Thanks once again for all your help, the old girl is still going thanks to you guys!!!

[E_T_V]

To be honest once the rotor arm is glued back in place you won't need to replace it. That is a permenant fix.