Holy Smoke Batman; I didn't know 911's had Lucas electrics!

[ralittle2]

As the owner of a Triumph TR6, I am familiar with the rumors of Lucas electrics, but since I keep a can of genuine Lucas smoke handy I have so far successfully warded off the Prince of Darkness. Therefore it was most surprising when I took the car on a 1/8 mile trek to a buddy's house last night when the Prince of Darkness showed his evil face on my 911.

I was on the phone with another 911 guy when I had to throw the phone into the passenger seat, cut the car and all things that were on, and then quickly disconnect the battery in hopes of preventing the whole thing from going up in smoke.

After a beer or two, ensuring the smoke had stopped escaping from the wires and collecting my thoughts, I started to ponder what could have been the cause of my malady. The day previously I had driven the car 300 miles with no issues; figures right? However, I had driven in daylight and this time I had the lights on. I reverted back to my TR6 and thought that the only major things that draw big amps are either the blower or the headlights.

Initially it was recommended that I unplug the blower motor - which I did, but when I pulled out the light switch I heard a "bad sound." That ruled out the blower. After conferring again with the guy who looked over the car and relaying the info that it was definitely related to the light switch, he asked me to trace the wire and look under the carpet on the passenger side of the tranny tunnel. Yep, that was the wire, which apparently lights up a heater light or something equally unimportant. Remember the floorboards had gotten wet in Katrina.

I snipped the wire at the light switch and tape it off, and all is well. I guess that I've been devirginized, but I've got to say that watching smoke pour out from underneath the dash and not having the car's fire extinguisher handy can make one very anxious.

I had no idea that cans of Bosch smoke were needed or available.

[Panzer909]

This is truly saddening to hear. One of the first things I did while restoring my TR6 was to pull the entire wiring loom from my car and replace it with an aftermarket brand. God help ANY car with Lucas parts. Period.

[Paulporsche]

Glad to hear it wasn't any worse.

What does this story tell us?

1 Keep an extinguisher in the car

2 30+ yr old Bosch electrics that went through the worst hurricane in recent memory may exhibit some of the symptoms of brand new Lucas electrics!

[ralittle2]

Thanks Paul, and you are certainly correct. The fire extinguisher that normally resides in the car had been removed when the car went to the shop, and I need to pick another up.

Also, the good condition of the car will not always tell the whole story. The water did get into the car, but the level rose only to the hump in the floorboards, so the wiring was spared. Well, except for the one wire that it did touch that went poof. Saltwater is a bad thing and luckily it didn't do more or else the car would have been very expensive to repair.

Now I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's ready for the 2005 Damn the Torpedoes Rally. All traffic rules will certainly be abided by.

[drl911]

Originally posted by Panzer909
This is truly saddening to hear. One of the first things I did while restoring my TR6 was to pull the entire wiring loom from my car and replace it with an aftermarket brand. God help ANY car with Lucas parts. Period.

It's not just limited to cars. I restored a 1948 Ferguson tractor last year and the Lucas gremlins were alive and well in that machine as well.



Dan

[sammyg2]

Last I heard Bosch electrical smoke was on back order. Since it has a limited shelf life be very careful buying it on e-bay or from a dismantler, you never know if it's going to be any good.

[gduke]

Originally posted by drl911
It's not just limited to cars. I restored a 1948 Ferguson tractor last year and the Lucas gremlins were alive and well in that machine as well.



Dan

Dan, was it a 35 Ferguson Special? That was the first tractor I'd driven.

Gary

[erobinson]

*raises glass in toast to all the Lucas victims* hear hear, to the personality and ways of the prince of darkness may he never visit the kingdom of Jaguar and Triumph again!

XJ6 owner, retired temporarily due to rust

[Wil Ferch]

Boy....will you guys get a shock when you lift the front lid on a *newer* 911 ( 996) and find LUCAS Labels everywhere.....brake booster, etc....

Aiyep.....the 911 aint what it once was

- Wil

[Panzer909]

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
Boy....will you guys get a shock when you lift the front lid on a *newer* 911 ( 996) and find LUCAS Labels everywhere.....brake booster, etc....

Aiyep.....the 911 aint what it once was

- Wil

Wait a minute wait a minute wait a minute!!!

[Paulporsche]

In that case I hope Lucas ain't what it once was either!

[Wil Ferch]

Only time will tell .....

Oh.....and let's not forget the Aisen ( manufacturer) gearboxes too !!...just like Geo's and Toyotas.....

Wil