Mysterious wires

[Gordster]

On my 1972 914, I have noticed two wires which come from the factory wiring harness near the brake master cylinder reservoir and to the right of the gas tank. The wires are within their own rubber insulation as well which suggests that they were intended to be together. One is brown and white in color while the other is solid brown. I am aware that the brown wire is a ground wire, typical of the 914, but I have absolutely no idea where the two wires were intended to go. They are only long enough to connect to something within a few inches of the brake reservoir. This would be too early for an intermittent wiper rely, right? Anyone have any ideas about these mysterious wires?

[Tim Polzin]

I've got the same wires on my 72 as well. If you look at page 135 of the Haynes manual, figure 9-43, they show what may be these very mystery wires used for the headlight washer relay. Maybe???

[Wayne 962]

Funny that you should ask this question. I think that I may have the answer. I was looking through the 914-6 owner's manual the other day, and I noticed something peculiar. On page 58 ('71 edition), the reservoir is shown with a cap on the top with two wires attached to it. The same picture in the same year 914-4 manual doesn't have the two wires on the top.

I believe that this is a fluid level warning sensor that may have been on the original sixes, or may have been only on the prototypes, but the vestigal wiring is there.

The 914 parts books don't show any distinction between the 914-4 and 914-6 Brake reservoirs.

Pretty neat, huh?

-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

After further checking, I'm even more sure. The electrical diagram shows that the brown and white wire is for the brake system warning lamp, which would correspond to a fluid level warning.

-Wayne

[Tim Polzin]

Thanks Wayne. You have finally put to bed a nagging (but otherwise insignificant) question. Sure is nice to know someone with a factory manual.

[Gordster]

This is very interesting. Thanks for the info, Wayne. Perhaps I should review my factory manuals once in a while.