Electrical Fire in Engine

JimNB · 05-15-2002, 11:40 AM

Well, it happened and now it is going to be repaired.

Insurance will pay the freight on this one but I need to help them source parts.

It looks like the entire wire harness and all components on the relay panel in the rear will need to be changed.

Are there OEM parts available anywhere (even dealer) or am I going to have to raid a salvage yard for used parts.

Thanks in advance.

jlex · jlex's Garage

What component caused the fire? Inquiring minds want to know.
regards,
jlex.

Jim Sims · 12:40 PM

18 months ago I special ordered the two pieces of OEM engine wiring harness for a 1973.5 T through the Porsche parts (dealer) system. The new wiring harnesses were identical to the old ones down to the smallest detail. However the special wiring jumper that ran down to the fuel pump (used only for about 6 months of production) was NLA; but I found a good one off a wrecked 1973E in Arizona. I just received a new plastic cover for the electrical chassis for this same 73.5 from the Porsche parts system. The CDI unit itself may be NLA but you may be able to rebuild it or find a good used one. A surprising number of the parts are likely to be available new; they'll just have to come from the Fatherland. Cheers, Jim

JimNB · 05-15-2002, 12:21 PM

It looks like I lost a major ground (transmission probably).

All the grounds within the relay panel were melted. Ultimately a hot wire in the 14 pin connector arced and the rest is history.

304065 · 05-15-2002, 12:22 PM

Jim,

I would try Stoddard's if you need the parts new, but beware of multiple supercessions, i.e. the part they offer is a later SC or Carrera version.

If you need the console complete, check on eBay, there have been two on there that I have bid on.

Jim Sims · 05-15-2002, 12:30 PM

Check you clutch cable too; if you lost your main transmission ground strap the clutch cable may be "history" also from acting as a ground path. Cheers, Jim

davis911s · davis911s's Garage

JIM I am now in Alberta but I still have the electrical harness I removed from that 70S. I can check it out for you, but it is packed in my garage and might be a bit. email me if you want me to check it out for you. Let me know exactly what you need.

Shawn

SeaDweller · 05-15-2002, 01:18 PM

Oh brother, same thing happened to me......I still don't know what caused it, but my engine, tunnel and fuel pump harnesses went up in a matter of seconds.

I found the engine harness at Stoddard (I almost fell down when they had it in stock), the fuel pump harness from Europroducts in Florida(came from Ontario, Canada), and the tunnel harness from Parts Heaven in Hayward, CA (came from Ontario, CA). The double Ontario must have been a good omen!!

If someone says it's not available, keep looking. I was told by a number of Porsche dealers and parts houses that "it'll have to be special ordered from Germany, which will take 3 months," only to call Parts Heaven for instance, who told me they could have it FedEx'd in a day or two.

There's a gentlemen that actually builds exact duplicates of early Porsche harnesses, down to the connections, wiring colors, and wrapping, but I'll have to do some looking to dig it up.

Good luck!! It's a big job, but you can't beat new wiring from a reliability perspective!!

JimNB · 05-15-2002, 02:46 PM

Thanks Shawn. How was the move ? Hope all is well with the new addition.

I may just be calling on you for that part. I will know by next wednesday what I need to get. First choice will be new, but you never know.........

davis911s · davis911s's Garage

Graet Jim the trip was OK, except for putting the UHaul in the ditch in Northern Ontario (there is apost on that

) But everyone and the Porsche are fine.

Yes I agree try to get new, but if it comes to the crunch I'll do what I can

Shawn