924Board.org

[Grayskull924]

I love the Haynes and Chiliton's books, but sometimes they don't tell you anything.

As I usually say, the pervious owner of my 924 was a butcher. I can't tell what's suppose to be in there or not be in there. And now i have a problem with my instrument lights (dash board inst.). I need info on the wiring behind it (since i see splices in the wires which I know aren't Porsche). Any help will be wonderful!!!!!

[Lousailor]

From what I've seen, the lights are finicky. If it's just a couple, the bulbs have gone. If it's all of them, the ground is probably bad or the fuse. each bulb fits into the back of each gauge (sometimes 2 bulbs/gauge), but all the ground wires are bolted to the body up near the fuse box. Either way (bulbs or ground) you'll have to remove the instrument cluster to check. Good Luck

[924RACR]

I agree with the above; if it's any help, I seem to recall that the Pelican website scanned wiring diagrams in... yeah, they're here:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/944/electrical/944_electrical_diagrams.htm

The '78 diagram should be close, if not exact. If you do decide to chase down wiring, but don't have a '78, give a holler, I might just get motivated to scan them all in. Maybe.

Keep the faith, bro!

_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

[Roger Hall]

someone posted that the haynes manual wiring diagrams are a copy of the factory diagrams i have taken the dash off twice so i am familiar with the wiring ill be happy to help if i can there were very few unconected wires behind the dash but there were some under the center console

[Smoothie]

You may find a wire or two under there that aren't connected to anything - maybe even one with a male and another with a female connector that look like maybe they should go together... Step back, take a deep breath and avoid with every fibre of your being the temptation to put them together (unless you know for a fact that they are supposed to go together). I won't get into how or why I know this. It's just too painful to relive.

[ This Message was edited by: Smoothie on 2002-03-21 06:58 ]

[Richard]

You may be a masochist. Unless you enjoy the pain and the rest of your car is perfect, you should buy another 924. There, I said it. There is enough problems with the electronics on these "fine" German autos (after all, they did lose two world wars in a row) to try the patience of a saint. I can't imagine trying to restore a hack job. Of course all this is a big joke. Send me $100.00 for this therapy session please. HARDY HAR HAR

[wdb]

The wiring harness is basicaly just a handful of wires,cut to the right length, with snap together connections on the ends . right? one of you ,who are familiar with wiring could prolly make some beer money putting a few sets together for people having electrical problems.

[Grayskull924]

I don't perceive myself as a masochist, rather an idealist. I know there are going to be problems ahead, and I knew that when I bought it. But I don't believe in the existence of a "lost cause", and as long as I give it the time (and money) I know it can be restored to its full glory, and beyond. Also one feature of my car is the 45,000 miles on it!!!!!!! Also I don't get great pleasure (especially sexual pleasure) from when my car displays its new problem. But I do get a sense of accomplishment when I fix a major, or minor, problem! And finally, after all I have done, there isn't much more that could go wrong !!!! But I honor your opinion, and I thank you and everyone else for your opinion and suggestions.

[Peter_in_AU]

wow, you guys are having a negative day. A bunch of guys who think nothing of swapping in a new transaxle or 944 brakes running screaming at the thought of a 20 year old wiring loom

There is no magic in the wires, maybe a few corners were cut but that's how you make an "affordable" Porsche.

OK, so the the current-flow diagrams might be a bits scarey at first glance but all the info you need is there. If you aren't relaxed around wiring diagrams take a photocopy of the one for your car, sit down quietly with your favourite relaxant and a big bunch of coloured pens and play join the dots.

Next, become real good friends with your multimeter. Especially the continuity test function. You're almost always looking for a corroded or broken connection.

Get a real connector crimping tool preferably a ratchet one and connect wires properly, wires that are joined by twisting and taping will come back and bite you.

If you've got melted wires, follow it back until it gets good again even if that means that you have to peal off some tape. And try and replace wire with stuff the same colour and trace colour. The next owner will think you're a legend.

Give yourself lots of room. If this means removing the seats or the centre console or even the whole dash, just do it.

Remember, the diagrams are just road maps. If something isn't working it means that 1. the road into town is washed out or 2. the road out of town is washed out or 3. everyone in town is dead.

The thing to do is to be methodical.

Another thing, if yours is a '78 model year and not a '79, cheat and work off the '79 current flow diagram. All the components are labeled on the '79 diagram. Or if you don't like cheating, use the '79 diagram and write all names of all the components on your '78 diagram before you start.

While you're working keep thinking to yourself that you never ever want to do this again. Take your time, do it right and you won't have to. At least not until you buy your next 20 year old classic

[D Hook]

Hang in there! Thing is, since most of us have the same moisture problem in these cars with the battery box draining onto the floor boards, most of the connections on the interior of these cars should be suspect since the moisture sitting in there for a while can make those connections corrode pretty fast. If you have the battery box problem, check all the connections, especially around the fuse panels and relays. For a while I had a leak coming down right below the steering column on top of the ECU. Found it to be the antenna wire had lost it's seal in the fender well and the water was following it down into the car.

[numbers]

Grayskull, "there isn't much more that can go wrong" WRONG. I have owned my '80 since '85 and there hasn't been a full month yet that I didn't have to fix something. That is part of the mistique of these wonderful little cars, you will become intimately involved with every nut, bolt and electrical connector on the entire chassis.

[Grayskull924]

By wrong, I meant that there is very few things left that can cause me to be driving down a 45 mph road at 8mph!!!!! I don't see half of my dash lights off as a problem, just as another area to be tweaked, and I wouldn't want a car to be any other way!!
Of course if my car all of sudden had no more things to fix, I wouldn't cry over it !!!

[exc911ence]

Anyone know the type of bulbs used in the dash instruments? I have 1/2 a tach and no clock at the moment...

[Smoothie]

Most should be 12v 1.2watt "miniature lamps" Sylvania/GTE #37

[exc911ence]

Much appreciated!