I posted this in the Renault section but was adviced to post it here instead, so here goes:
As a present for my 40th I got my brother's old car that he's had for about 15 years; a 1969 Renault 16 base, but with a TS engine. It was last MOT:d in 2013 and doesn't have a spark. The plan is to have this as a project for me and my 9 year old, with the goal of getting it through its final safety inspection. (I live in Sweden where cars over 50 years of age are MOT exempt, provided they have passed once after turning 50).
The car was sold new in Sweden, and has only had 4 previous owners, counting dealers and -obviously- my brother.
Initial troubleshooting revealed I don't have +12V to the coil with the key in the 'on' position, nor do the alternator warning light come on when I turn the key. Further investigation revealed these loose wires dangling by the ignition switch:
According to the wiring diagram, the yellowish cable should go to the coil. The red (and slightly melted) cable is in the diagram too, but I can't make out what it does.
Troubleshooting the electrics isn't made easier by the fact that some previous owner (hopefully not my brother!) has gone to town running new cables in the worst way possible:
Felix' 1969 R16 resurrection project
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Re: Felix' 1969 R16 resurrection project
Another of those "you may be interested" posts from me Felix.
A friend of mine had this specialist in Louth, Lincolnshire resurrect his sorry looking Renault 760 4CV.
This is a selection of R16's they have had their hands on. May be a useful contact for consultation/ parts sourcing.
Neil
A friend of mine had this specialist in Louth, Lincolnshire resurrect his sorry looking Renault 760 4CV.
This is a selection of R16's they have had their hands on. May be a useful contact for consultation/ parts sourcing.
Neil
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Re: Felix' 1969 R16 resurrection project
Thanks a lot, I'll keep him in mind!NewcastleFalcon wrote: 13 Nov 2023, 17:59 Another of those "you may be interested" posts from me Felix.
A friend of mine had this specialist in Louth, Lincolnshire resurrect his sorry looking Renault 760 4CV.
This is a selection of R16's they have had their hands on. May be a useful contact for consultation/ parts sourcing.
Neil
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Re: Felix' 1969 R16 resurrection project
Hi Felix, what a loverly project you have, I drove a 16 in the 80's what I can remember is very comfortable and a pleasure too see one being resurrected...... And used hopefully.
Good luck and keeps us updated on progress.





Good luck and keeps us updated on progress.
Stu 
"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
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Re: Felix' 1969 R16 resurrection project
The troubleshooting continues. The lighter of the two cables did indeed go to the coil, so I cut the red wire to prevent it shorting out and connected the coil wire to the ignition switch. Hey presto, I've got +12V to the coil with the key on and when cranking.
You would think that should suffice to get a spark, but no. So more troubleshooting required, I suppose.
All's not lost though, as I at least got to rip some of the shoddy wiring out of the car. Most of it was for a manual switch for the cooling fan and the rest was for a radio which is no longer there. If I get the car in working order I will fix the electrics for the fan correctly, as I can't stand those manual toggle switches in my cars.
You would think that should suffice to get a spark, but no. So more troubleshooting required, I suppose.
All's not lost though, as I at least got to rip some of the shoddy wiring out of the car. Most of it was for a manual switch for the cooling fan and the rest was for a radio which is no longer there. If I get the car in working order I will fix the electrics for the fan correctly, as I can't stand those manual toggle switches in my cars.
Thanks a lot! I've driven this one some 12 years ago and I completely agree with you regarding the comfort. Also, the TS engine actually made it feel reasonably peppy, I had no problem keeping up with the flow of traffic.Sloppysod wrote: 13 Nov 2023, 18:27 Hi Felix, what a loverly project you have, I drove a 16 in the 80's what I can remember is very comfortable and a pleasure too see one being resurrected...... And used hopefully.
Good luck and keeps us updated on progress.![]()
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Re: Felix' 1969 R16 resurrection project
Another "you may find some interest in this".
http://lesrenaultdepapier.fr/r16.htm
A few of posts from the FCF archives reminisce favourably about the R16's column change, and maybe nostalgically about its umbrella handbrake.
http://lesrenaultdepapier.fr/r16.htm
A few of posts from the FCF archives reminisce favourably about the R16's column change, and maybe nostalgically about its umbrella handbrake.
NeilCitroJim wrote: 15 Mar 2017, 15:49 I once had the joy of driving a 16TS and I fell desperately in love with it... Fast, stylish interior and very comfy... Something a Q-Car and the column change as I recall was excellent in the extreme...
... The 16 externally was no real looker but you could forgive its slightly frumpy appearance for how wonderfully and totally competently it did everything else... It even rusted better than anything else![]()
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