Triumph Repair: A couple more questions, british car club, roadster factory

Question
Thanks for the info...I hooked up the cable to the speedometer and the needle moved...I will try out the tranny next.

Another question. I have an open hole on my dash to the left of my steering wheel towards the bottom which must have housed a switch or something in the past. Any ideas on what might go there?  

Also, when the lights are on the indicator immediately above the steering wheel which says "hazard" is lit.  The hazards aren't on, so is there something else that it indicates?

Also, I have looked at both Victoria British and Moss Motors for the "brakes" and "fasten seat belts" indicators...do you know of any place that has them?

One last question...my battery is only a year old and seems to need to be recharged often.  Do you know what would cause it?  I haven't left the lights on or anything and wonder if something else is being left on without me knowing it.  How can I locate it?

Again, thanks for all your help and I apologize for all the questions.  I am really enjoying fixing my Spitfire up and want to do it correctly.

Answer
Try to locate an "Owners manual" (not a shop manual)for your perticular year model, it will usually have the lay out of all indicator lights and switches for the empty hole.

The Hazard flasher system is tied into the turn signal system so you need a wiring diagram to search and trace down the source of power to the light when the switch is off. A hazard flasher unit is a common failure though.

You may try "The Roadster Factory" and try the Internet. Also if you are in a city, search for the local British car club. You will probably find several mambers into Spitfires and they usually have sources and even some have parts cars.

A standard procedure in a shop with that battery problem is, With the engine OFF and every thing off including doors and trunk closed. Disconect one battery termainal and put a 12v test light between the battery post and the cable and if it lights the light brightly, you have something that is staying on. If it does not light the light brightly than you need to test the charging system and load test the battery to be sure the new battery is good. If the test light was bright, you need a wiring diagram and start disconnecting fusses first then start disconnecting "Brown Wires" (power wires) to try to narrow the battery draw down to a smaller and smaller area. Also "Purple Wires" (unfussed wires) This is the standard procedure in most shops.

No problem on questions, I hope this helps

Howard