Confused by fuses!

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
R

RBy

Member
Posts
11
Hello all! Landrover newby here, so apologises for whats going to be a lot of newbie questions - I love this place by the way!

In celebration of reaching midlife!... I have just bought a 1972 Lightweight Series 3. It seems to be 24volt - 2 x 12v's under middle seat, but heard that doesn't necessarily mean its 24?

It's got a 2.5l Diahatsu Diesel, fairey drive, p38 power steering, and free wheeling hubs. Seems ok - needs some mechanical love. I'm no mechanic, but like to have a go at stuff before messing it up and getting a professional to fix the extra mess I have made, and the original problem.

The first question is about the lights and fuses.

It starts ok, fuel guage works, but no lights, indicators or horn. Not sure if oil temp guage is working.

Where do I start, and how do I know what fuses to swap/ replace? Do i need special ones?
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2025-05-27 at 13.53.23.png
    Screenshot 2025-05-27 at 13.53.23.png
    805 KB · Views: 21
  • IMG_3565.jpeg
    IMG_3565.jpeg
    378.4 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_3519.jpeg
    IMG_3519.jpeg
    371.5 KB · Views: 18
Welcome,

Lots of questions and lots of answers here.

The fuses are fairly standard fuses (not the same as modern ones though). You should be able to see when they blow or put a multi meter over them. The top white fuse for example is clearly blown in your picture as you can see the gap in the element.

Someone else can confirm but they look like continental fuses https://www.switchelectronics.co.uk...MXLBCUiTulPnoHzZsEo7QPSkV&tab=products&page=2
1748351867093.png

I cant quite see based on your pic but the batteries are either 2 12 v in Series in which case its 24v or Parallel in which case its 12v....... Or they could be wired individually I have 12v for Winch and 12v for everything else for example.

1748352066303.png


The above Lightweight is 24 v as you can see + to - on the top connection.

Get your sleeves rolled up and read lots on here, ask lots as well its all do-able and you have a fantastic nuts and bolts vehicle you can grow with, learn with and absolutely do everything yourself.
1748351430709.png
 

Attachments

  • 1748352093388.png
    1748352093388.png
    912.6 KB · Views: 7
Last edited:
That type fuse and fuse holders are notorious for making a bad contact.
I would replace the blown one after disconnecting the batteries, removing all the fuses and cleaning up the fuse holders and fuse contact ends with some wire wool or something. Blow off any bits of wire wool before reconnecting the batteries or they might short out stuff.
 
Thank you so much! It has a winch, so maybe thats the same as yours. Will read the above, and have a look at the fuses again :)
 
Flossie said:
That type fuse and fuse holders are notorious for making a bad contact.
I would replace the blown one after disconnecting the batteries, removing all the fuses and cleaning up the fuse holders and fuse contact ends with some wire wool or something. Blow off any bits of wire wool before reconnecting the batteries or they might short out stuff.
Click to expand...
Thats great, thank you - first will get on this after work today :) thank you
 
The fact you can run up to bed is a win as far as I'm concerned - even if you don't beat the dog it's pretty impressive :)
 
Thank you both for your help today, really appreciate it - looks like 3 have blown - 2 x 8 amp and 1 x 25 amp - have attached (hopefully) better pics - did you say they look continental? It was in the Dutch Army a long time back

Also had another look at the battery, doesn't look like the 24v attachments, so maybe it is one for the winch and one for the rest.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2025-05-27 at 19.16.30.png
    Screenshot 2025-05-27 at 19.16.30.png
    711.4 KB · Views: 7
  • Screenshot 2025-05-27 at 19.16.18.png
    Screenshot 2025-05-27 at 19.16.18.png
    581.3 KB · Views: 8
  • Screenshot 2025-05-27 at 19.16.06.png
    Screenshot 2025-05-27 at 19.16.06.png
    568.4 KB · Views: 7
RBy said:
Thank you both for your help today, really appreciate it - looks like 3 have blown - 2 x 8 amp and 1 x 25 amp - have attached (hopefully) better pics - did you say they look continental? It was in the Dutch Army a long time back

Also had another look at the battery, doesn't look like the 24v attachments, so maybe it is one for the winch and one for the rest.
Click to expand...
You are more than welcome. Yes they look like the continental ones in the link I posted, 13 pence a pop, worth replacing the lot.

Not sure if the original would have been traditional glass fuses like these, https://www.famousfour.co.uk/new_parts/partslist?veh=series&sec=elec&sub_sec=fuses

But there is a dimple on that fuse box receiver which the continental fuse fits perfectly so I would stick to like for like.

Nice easy one to start you off with.... :) Keep in mind they may be blowing for a reason so may just blow again until you find the issue so if you buy more buy a few. The workshop manual links should help.

Love the lightweight, we did an Atlas Overland tour many years ago with a father son team in a Lightweight..... I remember him saying it was designed to be thrown out of a Hercules at 10,000 feet, there probably isn't much we can do wrong with it. I remember sitting on their wheel chatting whilst they swapped a hub bearing out in the evening..... Later on my wife was querying why I had words on my backside when I was putting the tent up.... the lettering from the tyre had transferred to the back of my shorts.....

PS Keep everything old from it... You will find with time a lot of the New stuff is nowhere up to the quality of the old stuff. There are many things I have replaced because its 40 years old like and end up going back to the original fettled... due to poor sizing/quality/cheap plastic etc. So keep the old fuses.
 
ER1C said:
You are more than welcome. Yes they look like the continental ones in the link I posted, 13 pence a pop, worth replacing the lot.

Not sure if the original would have been traditional glass fuses like these, https://www.famousfour.co.uk/new_parts/partslist?veh=series&sec=elec&sub_sec=fuses

But there is a dimple on that fuse box receiver which the continental fuse fits perfectly so I would stick to like for like.

Nice easy one to start you off with.... :) Keep in mind they may be blowing for a reason so may just blow again until you find the issue so if you buy more buy a few. The workshop manual links should help.

Love the lightweight, we did an Atlas Overland tour many years ago with a father son team in a Lightweight..... I remember him saying it was designed to be thrown out of a Hercules at 10,000 feet, there probably isn't much we can do wrong with it. I remember sitting on their wheel chatting whilst they swapped a hub bearing out in the evening..... Later on my wife was querying why I had words on my backside when I was putting the tent up.... the lettering from the tyre had transferred to the back of my shorts.....

PS Keep everything old from it... You will find with time a lot of the New stuff is nowhere up to the quality of the old stuff. There are many things I have replaced because its 40 years old like and end up going back to the original fettled... due to poor sizing/quality/cheap plastic etc. So keep the old fuses.
Click to expand...
Have ordered 10 of the 8 and 25 amps from the link you shared, so will replace them all. I have a sneaky feeling I might have blown the fuses in a friendly fire incident - tapping around the dial panel with a screw driver - i tapped the hole in this pic and it crackled 😬. Not sure what should be living in that hole. As I've disconnected the batteries I'll have a bit more of an exploritory look tonight.

This forum's great - you and flossie have been amazing! The guy who sold me the landrover was really helpful, but I really didn't spend enough time talking to him about the everyday stuff/ its quirks and foibles, so though I have messaged him a couple times and he has said he's always there to help, I think he's like 'its your money pit now fella!' My folks had a couple of series 3's when I was a kid, and I figured I'd be ok, but being able to ask these questions and have people like you guys who have the experience is amazing!

Whats the deal about other questions I have? best to just post the question on the forum each time - conscious I'm not hogging yours and flossie's time!
 
RBy said:
Have ordered 10 of the 8 and 25 amps from the link you shared, so will replace them all. I have a sneaky feeling I might have blown the fuses in a friendly fire incident - tapping around the dial panel with a screw driver - i tapped the hole in this pic and it crackled 😬. Not sure what should be living in that hole. As I've disconnected the batteries I'll have a bit more of an exploritory look tonight.

This forum's great - you and flossie have been amazing! The guy who sold me the landrover was really helpful, but I really didn't spend enough time talking to him about the everyday stuff/ its quirks and foibles, so though I have messaged him a couple times and he has said he's always there to help, I think he's like 'its your money pit now fella!' My folks had a couple of series 3's when I was a kid, and I figured I'd be ok, but being able to ask these questions and have people like you guys who have the experience is amazing!

Whats the deal about other questions I have? best to just post the question on the forum each time - conscious I'm not hogging yours and flossie's time!
Click to expand...
No worries, I cant help as much with Series stuff, but use the search first is always number one but then just start a thread.....or if you want start a thread for your vehicle, get some pics ( we like those) and just show your progress via that and put the questions into it. 9 times out of 10 someone will have asked before.

Yeahh take care with the electrics, I remember wiring in a tracker and watching in horror as a cable melted mission impossible fuse style in front of me from the battery up towards the head lining, luckily stopped it before it did any damage but its very easily done.
 
ER1C said:
No worries, I cant help as much with Series stuff, but use the search first is always number one but then just start a thread.....or if you want start a thread for your vehicle, get some pics ( we like those) and just show your progress via that and put the questions into it. 9 times out of 10 someone will have asked before.

Yeahh take care with the electrics, I remember wiring in a tracker and watching in horror as a cable melted mission impossible fuse style in front of me from the battery up towards the head lining, luckily stopped it before it did any damage but its very easily done.
Click to expand...
That's a good shout about starting a thread about it - the kids could use it as evidence when they begin their intervention 🤣😭Have shared a pic on the welcoming thread - it's not for the purists, but I love it!
 

Attachments

  • pic.png
    pic.png
    3.5 MB · Views: 6
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

baldygit
Temperature guage reads high
Replies
4
Views
470
baldygit
baldygit
Randometer
Turn signal stalk rudely decided not to work this morning!
Replies
15
Views
1K
Phill
Phill
T
No instrument indicator / warning lamps except altenator
Replies
10
Views
683
TwoHundredTeeDeeEue
T
M
Tail door window not working
Replies
10
Views
864
MarcDelonghi91
M
S
Electrical Gremlins L/ Rear Tail / Number Plate / Central Locking
Replies
1
Views
501
sierrafery
sierrafery
Back
Top