rear package tray in 964? What's that and what function?

[tshih]

Looking in factory manual electrical section wiring diagrams, trying to find an unused 12V source for my stereo amp connection. I ran across 2 taped off multipin plugs under the passenger sport seat area. Looking at sheet 2 1993 model year there is a T42 symbol (6 pin/plug connector) labeled as rear package tray. What is that? My RS America doesn't have any rear package tray. What is it and what does it do in regular 964s?

[colo964]

probably for the regular 964 spoiler, RSA has a fixed one doesn't it?

[tshih]

Good point! Yes I don't have that silly moving spoiler (tray). It would be perfect for my in cabin power source.

AFJuvat, what's your take? Is tray synonomous for spoiler in German?

[AFJuvat]

Howdy,

Nope, the rear package tray was an option - the rear seats were removed and a package tray, (a flat shalf with two glove boxes under it) were installed. It was wired up with the alarm system.

If you have rear seats, you don't have it,.

Here is a diagram of the tray.

AFJuvat

[tshih]

AFJuvat,

Thanks for the info. I do have the rear package tray in my RSA. What do you know about the various plugs I found under the passenger right hand side seat that would be a good source of constant 12V capable of carrying 25amps of current for my amplifier which is not used because the RSA doesn't have that feature that the normal 964 C2/4 have (like phone hookups, etc.

[Don Settergren]

Under my passenger seat is the cruise control computer, the alarm and a small amp for the stereo. While you could patch into this wiring harness, I'd suggest a nice heavy gage wire directly to the battery with a fuse near the battery connection. This is how stereo install pros wire up amps!

[tshih]

Don,
I understand your advice and suggestion. However I find it difficult to cut my own hole in the bulk head to thread a new wire from the battery to the passenger area. My idea was to identify an unused power wire source since the wire harness for my RSA has many unused connectors due to the 964 being heavily optioned in the normal series C2/4.

My way may not be suggested by the pros but I don't disturb the structural and rust proof integrity of my pristine car by not drilling holes into a perfectly nice body.

Right now I am tempted to use the connector for the power seats which don't need to be connected (as the rake and fore-aft position of the sport seats are controlled mechanically). I just don't know if the wire is thick enough to handle 25 amps without being overloaded.

[Don Settergren]

You can mount the amp inside the rear package tray (it might get pretty warm, so leave the compartment door open a crack) with all the wires hidden inside. Afterward, try lifting the carpet a bit and snake your wires (remote-on, 12v battery, 12v ignition, front speaker wires and RCA cables) toward the passenger seat. Connect the remote-on to the remote-on wire on the amp harness under the seat. Then, put the remaining cables in the tunnel in the insulation under the passenger side carpet following the other wires. Once under the dash, run your speaker wires to the front speakers, connect the remote-on from the harness and the RCAs to your head-unit. Finally, snake the cable through the rubber grommet behind the airbag into the luggage compartment (follow the antenna cable). Once through, neatly secure the wire to the inside of the compartment following the path of other cables. No holes or cutting any metal is required, just a few wood screws inside the rear package tray.

I've done this install once, and will be doing it again on my '93 C2 Cab in the next couple of weeks (all Nakamichi components!!). If you were nearby, I'd gladly help! I love installing stereos without leaving a wire showing, a rattle or broken trim piece to give it away. I usually leave the factory speaker covers when possible so you don't end up with too much "bling." It takes time, but it's worth the effort.

Good luck!

[tshih]

Don,
I would mount the amp under the seat or right behind the seat on the floor so the heat is not trapped. I don't have rear passengers so the "legroom" is not an issue. Also have you been able to do your 93C2 cab yet since I'm really curious as to where in the spare tire area do you see the grommet behind the air bag since the gas tank is in the way. Also do you have a factory diagram of the airbag front luggage compartment that clearly illustrate the path of the wires through the bulkhead? Anyone else has a diagram ghost view?

[Don Settergren]

There are many wire groups passing through grommets on both sides of the dash to luggage compartment. The largest is a loom going from the cockpit to the front luggage compartment through to reach the fuse box. These wires go through a grommet behind the dash arriving in the upper corner of the luggage compartment as seen in this picture (look at the bottom of the center most wire loom and you'll see a bellow shaped grommet).

Personally, I'd find a smaller grommet as they are easier to handle and have less electrical noise.

For reference, here are pictures of my nicely painted electrical tray under my drivers seat (ignore the dirty carpet as it is now super clean as you can see in the next picture). I removed the factory amp from the middle of the tray, but there is still not much room for an aftermarket amp on this tray. Behind the seat as you suggest makes sense:

Here is a piture of the black wire tunnel under the passenger carpet.

Locating a good place for an amp is difficult in a 911, but for worse for a subwoofer!

[AFJuvat]

I'll look around for 12V 25A for ya.

AFJuvat

[tshih]

much appreciated AF

[tshih]

Actually, I found a grommet with a hole in it for my battery wire and everything is hooked up properly. However there appears to be a problem with the factory speaker wire leads to the driver side door mounted speaker. How hard is it to run new wires into door? Anyone has a routing diagram for the factory wires?

[AFJuvat]

Sorry, I looked and I could not find anything that kind of current carrying capabilities in that area.

[tshih]

Thanks AFJuvat for looking. The problem was finally traced to a faulty left side speaker, not original head unit or wiring. After installing the new unit, amps, etc. there was still poor performance until new speakers were installed then everything worked well.