Brake and seatbelt dash indicator lights

[dassub]

This is a weird one. I just had a shop install my new gear reduction starter (AMAZING upgrade, I can't believe what a different this has made to the reliability of starting this car).
Now, the brake and seatbelt dash indicator lights are lit up and won't turn off.
I already told the shop, so they'll take a look in a week or so, but I was wondering how the starter job might be related to this.
It sounds like it would be a simple fix, maybe a wire came loose, but admittedly I've only owned the car for a month, so I'm still learning the ins and outs of it.

[courtenay]

Make sure the e-brake lever is hitting the little button beneath it when you release the e-brake.

[dassub]

Make sure the e-brake lever is hitting the little button beneath it when you release the e-brake.

That's definitely taken care of. I'm reading that the seatbelt light is on a timer, so the fact that it's staying on leads me to believe it's something like a relay or wire somewhere.

[SteinOnkel]

Please explain to me why the shop gets paid to help you but you expect us to do it for free?

They botched the job, simple as that. Have them fix it.

/thread

[davidbruce]

Let me see. Well firstly they actually provided a service. Which involves a shop with overhead, expensive equipment and payroll to meet. They have already agreed to look at it and since it's a minor issue probably mutually agreed to do it after more pressing work. I think "botched" is a little extreme. And it won't be the first or last time someone does a job and knocks off a ground or forgets a wire. As for expecting us to help for free, isn't that what this community is all about! Last time I looked there was no obligation to coment on a thread. Lots of people on here with extensive Fiat experience and often with good information can diagnose pretty easily. The OP is a new member and perhaps he is hoping to save a trip across town, a possible several hour wait or a ride from a friend. We don't know the background or what his relationship with the shop is.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I'm not very familiar with an '81, but I'm looking at the electrical diagram for earlier spiders, and there is a common point for both the brake indicator light and the seat belt light. Both of these lights have the + side connected at all times, but the light only comes on when the other side of the light is grounded. However, at the delay relay for the seat belt light, the grounds for both lights do pass through a common point. If the delay relay is in the engine compartment somewhere near the starter motor, it's possible an inadvertent ground was introduced at that point, and that then would light up both lights.

Sorry this isn't very clear, but the bottom line is that I would have the shop look at the wiring around this delay relay, and to and from it. You could disconnect the relay temporarily, and if the two lights go off, that's further evidence that this is where the problem lies.

-Bryan

[spider2081]

f the delay relay is in the engine compartment somewhere near the starter motor

I believe the seat belt relay and the delay timer are located on the relay panel mounted below the glove box inside the car.
The delay timer looks very similar to the relays but has a different part number and its pins are labeled +,-, C, C1 Relay terminals are labeled 30, 85,86,87. Sometimes people troubleshooting issues move the relays around on the panel not realizing the timer is not a relay. Its best to check wire colors to determine what socket is for what. The positions shown in the manuals do not always show the relays and timer in the position they are installed.

[SteinOnkel]

.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

f the delay relay is in the engine compartment somewhere near the starter motor

I believe the seat belt relay and the delay timer are located on the relay panel mounted below the glove box inside the car.

You are correct. I looked this up afterwards, and of course forgot to edit my post. Hard to see how installing a new starter motor would affect anything inside the interior, but then again, stranger things have happened with Fiat electrics... Still, I'm kinda at a loss on this problem, other than to say that it sounds like something is inadvertently grounding the negative side of both the brake and seat belt lights.

-Bryan

[dassub]

I very much appreciate the valuable insight offered in this thread

Yes, I'm mainly just looking to see if there's any low-hanging fruit, so that it can save me a trip to the shop. It's a bit out of the way for me.
They have already agreed to look at it, but if I can take a look myself in my own garage, it helps.

A little background re: asking a question like this, not that I need to, but here goes.. sometimes cars have quirks. I'm new to this forum, and new to this car.
But I'm not new to car forums in general. I'm familiar with the cars I own, or have owned in the past, and regularly post on those forums.

1988 Audi 90 Quattro - I knew all the quirks of that car. I posted a lot in the AudiWorld and QuattroWorld forums over a decade ago.
2006 E90 BMW and 2014 F30 BMW - My past two daily drivers. I know enough to help when needed. I posted a lot in E90/F30Post forums, relatively recently.
1981 Fiat Spider - This is where I am today. It's a 3rd car, a weekend/summer car. I hope to provide insight in the future, but baby steps. That, plus I'm a software tech, not a mechanic, so I can only post what can help with.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I hope to provide insight in the future, but baby steps. That, plus I'm a software tech, not a mechanic, so I can only post what can help with.

We all learn by helping each other. You would think I would have learned after one Fiat.... But nooooo....., I had to practice on 18 of them before I sorta figured out what was going on. Sorta. Not definitely. Slow learner, I guess.

-Bryan

[dassub]

I hope to provide insight in the future, but baby steps. That, plus I'm a software tech, not a mechanic, so I can only post what can help with.

We all learn by helping each other. You would think I would have learned after one Fiat.... But nooooo....., I had to practice on 18 of them before I sorta figured out what was going on. Sorta. Not definitely. Slow learner, I guess.

-Bryan

Wow. You either really love Fiats, or really love torturing yourself. Either way, you do you!

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Wow. You either really love Fiats, or really love torturing yourself. Either way, you do you!

Probably more of the latter. Actually, it was just a confluence of events. But, I am very fond of the styling, and driving my older spiders around still gets shout-outs of "cool car!" from kids whose parents might even be younger than my car...!

-Bryan