Accidentally getting a 2CV

[dollywobbler]

It's easy to dismantle the switch and clean/bend the contact for better results. As mentioned V switches between sidelights and dipped beam, R dipped and main. Away from you is dipped in two positions. UK 2CVs never had a main beam warming even though they should have.

[fatmanblue]

19 minutes ago, dollywobbler said:

UK 2CVs never had a main beam warming even though they should have.

Not for indicators either, although late cars have the wiring in place for both, just no bulb holder or bulb. Whether B reg counts as 'late', I don't know.

There's a simple mod to convert cars with 'dim-dip' wiring to relay powered headlights. The dim-dip wiring is useless anyway, the aluminium canister (resistor?) clipped to the chassis near the front bumper just dissolves.

[Foeux]

I'm back.

The 2CV has been used, which is nice.

It's use has presented a few 'things' to me.

1) I ran it out of fuel as the level sender isn't working. Fixed by putting in spare can then going down the petrol station.

2) the idle has gone very low and it runs on only 1 cylinder when you start it. Fine warm.

3) the Speedo is very accurate to 40mph, thereafter it under reads. A hard fought 60mph on the dash was actually 79mph on a calibrated GPS Speedo on a private road.

4) the wiring on the car is probably best described as 'terrible'. It looks like a snake's wedding that that been struck by lightning and set alight in places. I am scared of it to the point I always disconnect the battery when I put it away. I hate electricity work on cars but think a new loom might be the thing...

Apart from those things, it is going well, rides superbly on the new Burton shock absorbers and is still quite a joyful thing to mess about in.

[Stinkwheel]

3 hours ago, Foeux said:

2) the idle has gone very low and it runs on only 1 cylinder when you start it. Fine warm

Did you say it had 123 ignition? When I had a 123 unit fail on me, this was one of the initial symptoms. 

[dollywobbler]

13 hours ago, Stinkwheel said:

Did you say it had 123 ignition? When I had a 123 unit fail on me, this was one of the initial symptoms. 

Sadly can concur but I'd start by checking the plugs.

Fuel gauge? Probably a duff earth. I made a new one for mine but you do need to drop the tank to fit it. 200 miles to a tank is about what you can expect.

Loom on mine was so bad a friend rewired the front of it. Never caught fire though. Just check where the wiring harness is clipped near the air filter. Metal clip, chafes wiring and that definitely CAN cause a fire.

[hairnet]

@chaseracer look it works

@brownnova buy some bits off this man

 

[Foeux]

On 04/10/2026 at 01:21, Stinkwheel said:

Did you say it had 123 ignition? When I had a 123 unit fail on me, this was one of the initial symptoms. 

Hmm

 It is brand new and a very competent chum fitted it with me..... Still a likely culprit?

[Stinkwheel]

9 hours ago, Foeux said:

Hmm

 It is brand new and a very competent chum fitted it with me..... Still a likely culprit?

I'd hope not. As far as i know its the earlier units that were prone to this issue and the later ones are 'improved' 

Next port of call for those symptoms, for me, would be coil and leads 

[Foeux]

1 minute ago, Stinkwheel said:

I'd hope not. As far as i know its the earlier units that were prone to this issue and the later ones are 'improved' 

Next port of call for those symptoms, for me, would be coil and leads 

Coil, leads and plugs all less than 500mi old.

[Stinkwheel]

Just now, Foeux said:

Coil, leads and plugs all less than 500mi old.

I thought you might say that.

What plugs are you running? If its not Eyquem or NGK then get one of those types instead.

[fatmanblue]

I'd be checking all the ignition wiring very carefully.  Ignition wiring was on the poor side of merde when the cars were new.

That said, firing on one cylinder is a bit odd, given the 'wasted spark' ignition system.

[Foeux]

10 hours ago, Stinkwheel said:

I thought you might say that.

What plugs are you running? If its not Eyquem or NGK then get one of those types instead.

NGK

 

Thanks so much for pitching in.