Tinwan

Hi all,
Wonder if you could help a friend of mine. Just had his 1990 C4 Cab serviced 6 months ago just after he bought it and driven only 2000 klms. Went out last Sunday for a drive with the wife and 30 seconds later she (the car) caught fire. Fire out in about 40 seconds after the discovery & so lucky all OK. We think the culprit was the Fan Blower Resistor.

My question- does anyone know what the new modified part resistor looks like & can anyone supply a photo. We know what the old one looks and should be replaced as part of the factory recall from Porsche @ the last/next service. Please check your existing part & change to the new version to save this from happening to you.
New Fan Resistor (part # 964 616 550 (02) old one part last digits is (01) which is stamped into the part itself.
Cheers, Tinwan

Marc Shaw

Thanks for the info and glad nobody got hurt (except the p-car ).

I would think that even a new p/n resistor could cause a fire if not seated correctly - they get hot enough to burn in normal operation (ask me how I know ) so even it the p/n is right, it might be worth a look to see it is seated in the rear blower duct correctly.

Marc

last toy

This picture is worth a thousand words. That was the first thing my Porsche tech checked after I purchased my C4, it was already replaced. I would go after the shop who serviced the car and definitely change machanics. Since Porsche issued a recall on this, they are not liable for damages. His insurance company will be asking questions as to why the recall was not completed. Most countries require a certificate of proof from the mnaufacturer that all recalls have been completed on any car imported into a country where the car was not originally purchased new. Man that is ugly. Thanks for reminding everyone that this sort of thing can really happen.

Computamedic

Tinwan,

From what I remember when I changed mine, the new one doesn't LOOK much different to the old one, other than the addition of a bi-metal strip safety switch in the base of the resistor. When/if it overheasts, the bi-metal strip cuts off the supply.

When I got my car 2 years ago it had the original resistor - and it was hanging about outside the blower ducting!!! Apart from potentially shorting on the engine casing I hate to think what might have happened if I'd not replaced it pretty quick!!!

Your pic is a very powerful eye opener for anyone still running the original resistor!!! Thanks for sharing.

Regards

Dave

GG Allin

Anyone have a pic of one. Installed?

pete000

Holy Moly...I am chcking mine tonight.

Rennen

How can we tell if we have a newer one or an old one? I assume I have the original one that was in the car.

jimq

see last line in post #1

dfinnegan

I'm not sure how you can tell the difference, but I know that mine is "looking" kind of old so I just bought a replacement (with the new part #) from Pelican:

OEM-96461655002 $20.28 SERIES RESISTOR

Seems like a cheap bit of insurance to me!

Cheers,
Dave

viperbob

There really is no difference as to their ability to cause a fire. I have seen one on a customers car that was out of the housing arc onto metal and catch on fire. These things over time coming in and out will bend the tabs or they will break. Even with good tabs, it is not a bad idea to use a tie wrap around the tube to make sure it stays in place.

tafkai

tinwan .
this has happened to my car (about 3 years ago , now , NEARLY finished after my rebuild)
i still have some spares at home i think , spare engine loom and other wiring that may be usefull for plugs etc.
let me know if your friend needs them .

dfinnegan

If it gets that hot won't it just melt through a tie wrap if it's tending to come out?

Dunasso

The tabs are the important thing....If they are broken or have lost their ability to hold the resistor in place, then the resistor will come loose from the plastic tube. When it comes out of the plastic tube it runs the risk of burning the the plastic, wiring harnesses, or other parts in the engine compartment that are easily ignitable.

Here's a pic of my old one.....It was replaced last year after the dist. rebuild. In my case the old one looks the same as the new one, so maybe someone else will post a pic of the one that's different.

Duncan

RallyDogRacing

THAT thing can cause a fire...? Wowsers

JasonAndreas

From the recall:

AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF, THE REAR HEATER WILL AUTOMATICALLY OPERATE IN ORDER TO DISSIPATE HEAT IN THE ENGINE HEATING SYSTEM. DURING THIS OPERATION, THE RESISTOR FOR THE REAR HEATER BLOWER CAN BECOME OVERLOADED DUE TO A BINDING OR SEIZED REAR HEATER BLOWER. THE OVERLOADED RESISTOR CAN CREATE HEAT SUFFICIENT TO IGNITE THE PLASTIC AIR PIPE TO WHICH IT IS CONNECTED, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. PORSCHE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW RESISTOR CONTAINING A CIRCUIT BREAKER.

SYSTEM: HEATER; WATER; DEFROSTER; CIRCUIT BREAKER.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.

NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT PORSCHE SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-545-8039. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

1989 PORSCHE 911
1989 PORSCHE CARRERA
1990 PORSCHE 911
1990 PORSCHE CARRERA
1991 PORSCHE 911
1991 PORSCHE CARRERA
1992 PORSCHE 911
1992 PORSCHE CARRERA