LI Steve

While replacing my ignition wires, I came across this wire/connector that is not connected to anything. Can anyone identify it and tell me what it is for & why it might have been disconnected? I can't even find anything in the vicinity that looks like it could fit into

Thanks!

worf928

That is the harness connection for the timing belt low-tension warning system.

Probably not good that it isn't plugged into the hole in the center timing belt cover.

Is your t-belt warning light on? If not one would wonder why not since the connector is not connected.

BrianG

It looks like the cam belt tension sensor switch wiring harness plug , but the wire looks too short to reach from there.

worf928

That's because the front main engine harness is mis-routed. It should be routed under and behind the right-side sprocket, not over.

worf928

Or is it because the LH harness is mis-routed. I forget now which harness the belt-tension connector is on.

EDIT: Yup. My bad. The connector is on the LH harness. Not the FME harness. Still the FME is not in the right place and if the tension connector doesn't reach then the LH harness is mis-routed.

Imo000

Most definetly the T-belt tension warning plug. That's the only one shaped like that.

Tom. M

No need to worry....the PO or PO's mechanic probably just grounded out the warning system so you will never see the tension warning...and what you can't see..won't hurt you...right?...right...?...

Get it checked out....and fix the tensioner / tensioner warning system..when it's done right..the system does work as advertised.

good luck
Tom
midlman@rennlist.net
89GT

928drvr86.5

It may have been misrouted and then it looks like it was taped to the harness after it was then found to be too short.

928drvr86.5

I found in the first couple weeks of ownership that someone had done that to my 86.5. They probably got tired of the "Belt Ten" light coming on. "Damn these cars have ten belts?"

LI Steve

Thanks everyone for the quick replies.


Can someone explain a little further where the FME harness should be and how the LH harness should be routed?

Thanks again!

worf928

I will see if I can dig up a picture or two. Stay tuned.

worf928

Below is the best picture I could find. It's from the initial disassembly of my '89GT three years ago.

The tail-end of the LH harness runs to the Fuel Vapor Recovery solenoid, then to the 'mystery connector' and then to the Hall sensor. In the picture this harness is correctly routed.

The FME Harness in the picture is almost routed correctly. The picture shows the FME routed on in-front of the oil level dip stick. The correct routing is behind the stick and then along the same path as the hall sensor connector. The FME runs under the sprocket cover then up behind the sprocket back plate, over the lift loop and then to the female side of the 14-pin connector.

The routing of the FME is not critical - I guess. It seems that in the process of doing a timing belt nearly everybody says Eff It and doesn't bother to route the FME back the way it was from the factory. (Not me.)

From your picture it looks like the problem is that the last bit of the LH harness to the Hall sensor is routed over the top of the cam cover to the sensor rather than in front of the belt cover and that's why the tension warning connector will not reach. It's not going to be fun to route the harness correctly as it is a PITA to get to the Hall sensor connector. Good luck. Be very careful with the Hall sensor connector as it takes on the consistency of crumb cake after 15 years.

EDIT: The hot wire to the A/C Clutch is the little red squarish thing under the FME right below the dip stick and rubber cover for the tensioner oil fill valve.

UKKid35

Steve, if your engine looks anything like Dave's you will also need to replace the oil seal at the base of the oil filler neck. In fact I recommend that you take off the cam cover (the one in Dave's pic) and have a really good look at the belt while also checking the belt tension. Unless it looks brand new you would be very wise to replace it as the maintenance history of this engine is now very suspect.

worf928

If his engine looks like mine (used to) he's in for a shock when he sees the bill(s) for parts.

LI Steve

Dave -
Thanks a lot for the pic and the description.

Hopefully I can get it re-routed without discovering any more mysteries.