84 911 Burnt Connector - help!

[ojcso]

Hi all, just took delivery of a beautiful 84 Targa, all original with 45k miles. It's in exceptional condition, well-loved by the previous owner of 33 years. Took it out for the first drive today and what a surprise - wouldn't idle properly, bucking in 2nd gear, just majorly rough running. The previous owner, who has been great to work with, hadn't had any trouble like that and had the car cleared for take off by a long time mechanic.

Poking around the engine, everything looked to be in perfect order with the exception of the connector in the picture. I'm new to this car and will admit that I'm not sure what I'm looking at. Driver's side of the engine, nearish to fuel filter, wiring block with 3 connectors. Any help? It was loosely connected to the white wire but fell apart when I grabbed it to take a look. It this ignition or fuel related? I'm hoping the rough running was related...now to figure out what it is and how difficult it will be to fix.

Any help greatly appreciated!

[ojcso]

White wire that was connected to the wrecked connector.

[Zuffenwerker]

That’s your cylinder head temp sensor. Probably your cause of tough running. It would be good to replace all 3 sensors if they are original. The other 2 are crank sensors and can strand you when they fail. Regular service items for the 3.2.

Daniel

[ojcso]

Originally Posted by Zuffenwerker

That’s your cylinder head temp sensor. Probably your cause of tough running. It would be good to replace all 3 sensors if they are original. The other 2 are crank sensors and can strand you when they fail. Regular service items for the 3.2.

Daniel

Dang, amazing. Thank you, Daniel!!!

[ojcso]

Originally Posted by Zuffenwerker

That’s your cylinder head temp sensor. Probably your cause of tough running. It would be good to replace all 3 sensors if they are original. The other 2 are crank sensors and can strand you when they fail. Regular service items for the 3.2.

Daniel

Sorry, one more question. Is it safe to try to drive it to the shop with it disconnected, if it will run? I don't want to damage anything. Thanks again.

[Zuffenwerker]

If the engine still starts it will be pretty rich. I wouldn’t recommend driving it like that just based on the overly rich condition. It’s your call, it will probably make it to your destination if towing is not an option

[wazzz]

The white connector on first pic is shot anyway and will have to be replaced. Same for the head temp sensor on the opposite side of the metal frame.
If you want to drive safely to a shop, you can start the engine, let it warm up for a while and when it starts idling and running bad (because of a too rich mixture), short both terminals on the white connector with a paper clip or whatever. This will tell the engine ECU that the engine is warm enough so the ECU will lean the mixture and you will be able to drive happily to a shop.

[ojcso]

Just closing the loop. Installed the new cylinder head temp sensor today and that resolved my issue, running great now. Thanks again!