Otter switch

R

Rover-tragic.

Member
Hi all,
Can anyone let me know exactly what the function of the "otter switch" is? This is the one located on top of the inlet manifold with a triangular plate.

Rover-tragic.
 
Hi RT,

It's a coolant temperature-controlled switch that links back to a switch on your choke control. If your choke is at least partially pulled out, an orange light should illuminate on the dash once the coolant in the inlet manifold's up to temperature.

Cheers,
 
Thanks for the reply.
When I use the choke the orange light comes on straight away. Is this a fault?? Should it illuminate only at the point that the coolant comes up to temp??

Rover-tragic.
 
Rover-tragic. said:
Thanks for the reply.
When I use the choke the orange light comes on straight away. Is this a fault?? Should it illuminate only at the point that the coolant comes up to temp??

Rover-tragic.
Click to expand...

Harvey's right. The cable to the Otter switch (white/blue?) is at 12V with ignition on and the choke pulled out. (You can test for this with a meter or test lamp.) Once the normally-open Otter switch closes due to the rise in coolant temperature the circuit is complete with the earth path being completed through the 3 fixing screws, thus illuminating the warning light.

If the warning light's coming on from cold with the choke out it's either a faulty Otter switch or a short to earth on its feed cable. I would think if it was a faulty Otter switch (i.e. always closed) you would have continuity between the switch Lucar connection and earth with the ignition off.

Cheers,
 
Sorry for asking this, but my English is as is.

As far as I remember otter is:

nutria.jpg



Does "otter" have other meaning unknown for me?



Regs
 
It's just the name of the switch, if you can get to see your one you'll see the word "Otter" embossed into the black plastic part of the switch.

Your English is way better than my Spanish by the way.
 
It may be the other type of otter switch which is closed when warm and open when cold.

Test with a meter when hot and cold and see. put one probe on the otter terminal and another on the metal of the block or any earth.

Colin
 
Thanks Harvey. Frankly speaking I never looked at that switch.

I will have a look tomorrow. I'm going to take the car out (if weather allows, -6ºC this morning!) for wax and polish.


BTW, when I lived in Northampton I used your phrase very often, when I fell stuck looking for the most suitable word in the deeps of my brain while chatting with friends in the pub.

"My English is far better than your Spanish, so bear with me for a while!"


Lots of memories. Sobs.



Regs
 
harveyp6 said:
It's just the name of the switch, if you can get to see your one you'll see the word "Otter" embossed into the black plastic part of the switch.

Your English is way better than my Spanish by the way.
Click to expand...

Otter Controls Paragraph 3

==================

Thanks Colin by the way - I didn't realise there were 2 types. You Live and Learn! :D

Cheers,
 
Thanks for the info chaps,
The switch has now been removed and the plate blanked off. The orange light still illuminates when the choke is used. Does this still indicate a short??

RT.
 
I didn't know either until I bought 2 NOS otters. I have one fitted to my P5B but don't tell anyone.

With regards to the Choke there is two switches. The otter on the manifold and the second switch is behind the Speaker panel, it is held in place by a clamp which secures it to the lever. What happens is that the otter is grounded on the engine block, it is wired to the choke lever switch which then goes to the lamp. When both switches are operated by pulling the lever or the temperature you get a complete circuit.

Sounds like yours is just connected to the lever switch. not a major crime but without the Otter you wont know that you have reached the operating temperature.

Colin
 
Rover-tragic. said:
Thanks for the info chaps,
The switch has now been removed and the plate blanked off. The orange light still illuminates when the choke is used. Does this still indicate a short??

RT.
Click to expand...

Hi again RT,

There must be either an intentional earth cable/connection from the switch behind the speaker panel or, as you say, a short then.

Cheers,
 
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