968 3-Pin Plug Disentigrated. What Are These Wires?

Westy · 01:11 PM

While chasing my electrical drain, I was following wires, looking at grounds etc. I noticed a plug behind the distributor housing. barely touched it, plastic pieces fell to the ground, and the top part of the plug (female) just pulled right off. There is a tin-like bracket attached to the backside of the distributor housing, and the male part should seat in this bracket. To explain a little more, right below it is a vacuum pod which looks like it opens the heater hose. The female plug wires look like they run between the distributor housing and the top front of the motor. The male end wires run down underneath and at this point disappear into the unknown void. The 3 wires on these pins are thin gauge and colored red, green, and black. I also noticed the top of the distributor housing is melted and wrinkled on the top, about the size of a half dollar, but that damage appears old. Gaaaaaaaaaaaaawd it just doesn't stop!!! Sure would like to drive my new-to-me 968 someday this year!

So I see I can buy the female portion to this plug, but mine still looks brand new. No male ends. What is the wire, and how much is involved in getting in there to repair or replace it? If I need to post pics please let me know. I'm not making anymore orders from anyone until I know what I need.

kdjones2000 · kdjones2000's Garage

That is the cam timing sensor. $$$$

Do a search and see what people have come up with to fix this without have to replace the whole thing.

Westy · 11-05-2016, 02:39 PM

Does 4 '$' mean take a loan out? Or is it that 150 dollar part that I can do myself? I am sooooooooo new to these cars, and know very little about them. Meanwhile, I will search. Thank you!

kdjones2000 · kdjones2000's Garage

Pelican Parts - European Automotive Parts and Accessories - Porsche • BMW • Mercedes • Volkswagen • Audi • Saab • Volvo • MINI

Installing it, well that's another story...

thomasryan · 11-05-2016, 08:10 PM

is your plug bad on the harness side? plugs are pretty simple to swap once you see how the locking tab works on the spade.

the hall sender part number is 944 606 170 02. a quick google showed 110. some solder on a new eye for cheap but its 20 years old.

you will need a ball head allen from the rear of the magnesium cover. I don't remember if it was doable without pulling the valve cover.

run the diagnostics Durametric Software - How to read fault codes on Porsche 968

Westy · 11-05-2016, 08:15 PM

Thomas, that's the issue. The female plug end (the one on the top) is just fine. The male end (the one that sits in the tin piece) just disintegrated. I don't know which is the harness and which is the Hall sender. I don't have any error codes, as nothing was wrong until I touched it and it fell apart. I'm tempted to crimp or attempt to solder and bypass the plugs. I'm really lost!

Westy · 11-05-2016, 08:19 PM

Oh yeah. I could only find the female plug end for sale. Not the male end.

thomasryan · 09:10 PM

I did not see it in the PET.

Westy · 11-05-2016, 08:59 PM

I don't know if that's the same one. I'll look tomorrow unless the Mrs. has plans, which she usually does on Sundays. If that's the one, I might have to buy you a beer!! Even if it's the wrong one, I could get the male AND female, and rewire them both! Thanx for you efforts!

Brian

thomasryan · 09:10 PM

I looked at my car. The harness is on top and the hall sensor is the lower male plug. You will have to pull the valve cover to change the hall sensor.

Bad link above...fixed by deletion.

Westy · 11-05-2016, 09:05 PM

I think now ur up to 2 beers!!!!!

thomasryan · 11-05-2016, 09:21 PM

There should be a little metal clip that holds the connected plug in the bracket. If you haven't changed the valve cover gasket yet, pony up for the kit and the paper and oring seal for the vario.

Motors like to be air tight and the rubber stuff is coming of age.....check those fuel lines as it gets hot on that side.

Westy · 11-05-2016, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasryan

There should be a little metal clip that holds the connected plug in the bracket. If you haven't changed the valve cover gasket yet, pony up for the kit and the paper and oring seal for the vario.

Motors like to be air tight and the rubber stuff is coming of age.....check those fuel lines as it gets hot on that side.

I have little idea what ur talking about,,,,,but if I search enuff I bet I can finger it out!