Help, What's this fuse link for?

Dan Owens · 05-24-2005, 06:32 AM

Guy's I need some help. While I was swapping my gauges out over the weekend I noticed what appears to be a burnt fuse link or connector of some sort behind the gauges. What the hell does this go to and is it a fuse link or connector? Here's two pictures to help. The wires comes out of the bundle that connect to lights on the oil/fuel level gauge and the pressure/ temp gauge right behind the tach. I don't know where the other end goes as it appears to go down inside the front trunk somehwere. Anyone have any ideas?

DW SD · 05-24-2005, 08:05 AM

put an ohm meter across it and see if it is an open circuit or not. What color is it? include the base and striping and look at the wiring diagram. If it is solid blue, I think it goes to the alternator / charging light. I believe it is a connector and not a fused link, but I'm not 100% sure.

Dan Owens · 05-24-2005, 09:07 AM

The wire is a solid blue, light not dark just as displayed in the picture. It does not go to the back of any of the instruments it just comes out of the same bundle of wires and then heads down into the trunk area somewhere. It does look like a connector of some sort but as the picture shows it looks as if it's shorted out inside. You can see a gap through the plastic covering right where the discoloration is, it doesn't show in the picture though. I don't have a wiring diagram and probably couldn't read it if I did, hence the request for some help here.

mb911 · mb911's Garage

Blue with no tracer?? It is not a fusable link it is simply a connector.. Blue with black is lights Not sure warren will probably help

Dan Owens · 05-25-2005, 09:19 AM

Bump

911pcars · 05-25-2005, 09:59 AM

I don't believe Porsche used fusible links, at least on the "early" (pre 993) cars. In fact, for some reason, Porsche didn't even bother to install fuses on some circuits. Ask some Carrera owners about the interior heater fan circuits. Inquiring minds would like to know why.

Sherwood

Mysterytrain · 05-25-2005, 10:09 AM

I'm thinking its the mirror circuit...perhaps the heating elements power for the elements comes from the rear window defroster switch. Yes, that is a connector, no not a fusable link and yup she saw some heat!

Dan Owens · 05-25-2005, 10:34 AM

Thanks guys. I'm pulling the gauges out again this weekend to get to the bottom of this connector and see what the story is. It's obviously seeing some excess heat from the look of it and as Sherwood correctly states some circuits have no fuse at all. That's not a real comforting thought after seeing this connector.

Jubbie · 05-25-2005, 11:29 AM

That looks like a sheilded connector. From the heat marks, the connection may be loose and causing heat from the increased resistance. Pull it appart and clean and tighten the female connector side with a pair of needle nose. You could replace the entire connector with a modern sheilded male/female pair to be sure.