Re: [DML] Re: Mystery capacitor

["Tom Niemczewski" <dmctom@xxxxxxxxx>]

Bill,

Capacitors are very useful little devices that are installed in new cars 
even today. Every brushed DC electric motor will generate some sparks and 
lots of electric noise. If the capacitors are not installed in the wiring 
harness they are oftentimes installed in the motor itself. So, just because 
you don't see a capacitor attached to the (example) wiper motor on your 
other car doesn't mean there isn't one. It's probably mounted inside the 
motor housing. The closer they are to the source of electrical noise the 
better the noise suppression.
But, I don't really understand some of your points from the post below. Here 
it is:

> At least 11 capacitors original to the harness:
> - Radiator fan
> - Radiator fan
** Electric motors - they need one

> - Turn signals
** Turn signals do not have capacitors except for the ones inside the 
flasher unit

> - Windshield wipers
** Again - electric motor

> - 4 behind radio bracket
** Are you sure it's 4? Those might be diodes

> - Coil
** Ignition system needs a capacitor in order to create a spark. Has nothing 
to do with the noise suppression.

> - A/C condensor
** I believe you meant a "compressor". The clutch creates a large spike 
every time it shuts off. It's a very good idea to suppress that spike.

> - K-Jet microswitches
** Microswitches use capacitor to "debounce" the contacts and eliminate 
errors and false triggers. Today they install a bank of capacitors inside 
the ECU, but as I've stated before they work better the closer they are to 
the source of electrical noise. They moved the capacitors for the ease of 
installation and to lower the assembly cost.

> This is far more capacitors than I have ever seen on any other vehicle.
** Just because you don't see them doesn't mean they are not there. They are 
just hidden inside the motors and ECUs.


> Common DeLorean ground problems:
> - Melted inertia switch harness connector
> - Melted Fuse #7
> - Other various melted fuses
** How is that possible?? Can you explain how a ground problem can cause a 
melted fuse? If the ground is poor it will cause exactly the opposite! It 
will lower the current in that circuit and lower current cannot melt a fuse.


> - Inaccurate dash volt gauge readings
> - Tachometer reacting to other electrical devices
> - Headlights reacting to other electrical devices
** This is true. You are correct on those three.


> Takes a bold man to argue that the DeLorean electrical system is not 
> problematic at best....
** The DeLorean electrical system does have it's problems but you don't seem 
to understand the problem... especially the ground problem. It doesn't 
matter how thick the wires are on one side of a bolt compared to the other 
side. The important part is if the combined thickness of positive wires for 
a certain circuit match the thickness of the negative wires. In case of the 
DeLorean the negative wires are thicker than positive. So, if there are five 
circuits connected to one ground point, you measure all the positives and 
sum them up. Then measure the ground point and compare the results. You'll 
see that the ground wires are good enough.
The problem with the ground is not the thickness of the ground cables but 
age and weather related. A good cleanup of existing grounds works just as 
well as installing a new ground harness. Think about it, for example, if you 
have 10 separate circuits running off of one ground connection where will 
you see the problem? The positive sides of the 10 circuits will seem just 
fine as they only use a fraction of the total current. The ground combines 
all those into one and needs to supply current to all those 10 circuits. 
This is where you'll see the problem.

I had some strange electrical problems in my car when I bought it. The 
lights would dim every time the A/C came on, door motors were slow, the tach 
would jump every time I stepped on the brake. Instead of running a new 
ground cable I cleaned the existing connections and all those problems went 
away. The headlights got brighter too!
This car is not as bad as you think. Just because you don't understand 
something doesn't mean it's bad...


Greetings from Poland!
Tom Niemczewski
Vin 6149 plus 2418, 3633, 5030, 16473, 17086
Google earth: 52°25'17.66"N, 21° 1'58.40"E 



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