89 Wiring problems- Questions
06-15-2003 | 01:02 AM
#1
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From: Buffalo, NY
89 Wiring problems- Questions
I brought my 89 Carrera Cab in for service and I noticed that the glove box light did not work when the glove box door was opened unless the switch was wiggled. The dealer said that there was a problem with the ground wire being "melted". The technician supposedly unhooked the light and ordered a part.
When I picked the car up I started it up and turned on the headlights, suddenly there was smoke coming in the vents and the smell of an electrical fire!! After the heating blowers and various other obstacles were removed the melted mess of wires was uncovered.
How big of a problem is this? The service writer said he would fix it within a week, but had to do it wire by wire since he didn't think that you could get a harness in a timely fashion if at all.
Help!!
When I picked the car up I started it up and turned on the headlights, suddenly there was smoke coming in the vents and the smell of an electrical fire!! After the heating blowers and various other obstacles were removed the melted mess of wires was uncovered.
How big of a problem is this? The service writer said he would fix it within a week, but had to do it wire by wire since he didn't think that you could get a harness in a timely fashion if at all.
Help!!
06-15-2003 | 11:08 AM
#2
Technical Specialist
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Not clear from your post if the dealership created the problem. If so, I would tell them to replace the wiring harness and do it correctly.
Replacing the wires individually may be functional, however, you now have an extra connection on each wire, which, if they are soldered, could be marginal if a junction isn't soldered correctly. If they use some sort of connectors, this would be less of an issue. I wouldn't accept it if they just twist the wires together and wrap electrical tape around them. Might be OK for now, however, a not-so-tight twist, vibration, and electrical tape glue drying out over time could create another problem - if not for you for someone else. Heat-sensitive plastic tubing, which is shrunk over the connection may be OK, as it wouldn't be subject to drying out and loosening up over time.
If this is on your nickel, you might price out the alternatives, harness vs wire replacement. If need be, call Hennessy Porsche in GA, who discounts parts around 25%. Since the wiring is one place where Porsche went with a minimal approach, and based on your description, I'd probably be inclined to replace the harness, unless economically outrageous. (Perhaps more important for 964's-on, where electronically operated 'stuff' is much greater than the pre-89's).
Replacing the wires individually may be functional, however, you now have an extra connection on each wire, which, if they are soldered, could be marginal if a junction isn't soldered correctly. If they use some sort of connectors, this would be less of an issue. I wouldn't accept it if they just twist the wires together and wrap electrical tape around them. Might be OK for now, however, a not-so-tight twist, vibration, and electrical tape glue drying out over time could create another problem - if not for you for someone else. Heat-sensitive plastic tubing, which is shrunk over the connection may be OK, as it wouldn't be subject to drying out and loosening up over time.
If this is on your nickel, you might price out the alternatives, harness vs wire replacement. If need be, call Hennessy Porsche in GA, who discounts parts around 25%. Since the wiring is one place where Porsche went with a minimal approach, and based on your description, I'd probably be inclined to replace the harness, unless economically outrageous. (Perhaps more important for 964's-on, where electronically operated 'stuff' is much greater than the pre-89's).
06-16-2003 | 02:05 AM
#3
As posted previously:
"if they are soldered, could be marginal if a junction isn't soldered correctly. If they use some sort of connectors, this would be less of an issue."
Soldering is always preferable to using
connections even for a marginal soldering job.
Non-soldered connections are one of the most
problematic issues with Porsches, e.g. the
alternator wire on SCs and early 3.2s.
I solder all connections on my car in key areas.
Loren
'88 3.2
"if they are soldered, could be marginal if a junction isn't soldered correctly. If they use some sort of connectors, this would be less of an issue."
Soldering is always preferable to using
connections even for a marginal soldering job.
Non-soldered connections are one of the most
problematic issues with Porsches, e.g. the
alternator wire on SCs and early 3.2s.
I solder all connections on my car in key areas.
Loren
'88 3.2