berg944
New member
If you fit a steering wheel boss from an oval dash to an earlier model, your car can go on fire!
I purchsed a momo boss for a new steering wheel (there are two listed for the 944).
I did question which to buy but was convinced by the assistant that I needed the <84 for my 85 square dash.
I disconected the battery and fitted the new wheel. I then connected the battery and tried the switchgear, everything worked OK.
While retuning the radio (ignition off) I turned the steering wheel and was instantly choked by smoke coming out of the dash.
I did not panic (MUCH) but managed to disconnect the battery in a few seconds.
It was a good job the tools were at my feet (I wish the bonnet release was on the right).
On investigation the cast indicator return lug (usually plastic) had shorted the live copper rail to the indicator stalk when I moved the wheel. The later boss obviously has a longer lug!
As the ignition was off it could only be the park light feed.
It took me a whole day upside down in the footwell to strip the loom of the melted wire, Wearing gloves I removed the mostly bare wire and checked for damage to other wires.
I thought it would take a week but the wire returned back to the main light switch after going all around the back of the dash.
I now only have the left park light (thinking of getting rid of that aswell)
The toxic smoke was that bad you could not see through the screen!
If I had drived off then this might not have happened until the first right turn!
Why didnt a fuse blow?
If I had children in the back, would they get out in time?
I did a nervous test drive with the earth just tight, the spanner in my top pocket and a mate on the bonnet (catch).......he did get some double takes with that extinguisher between his legs.
I then went and fitted a battery isolator.
It is not the incar type that I would prefer but it was fitted in 5 min.
Everybody should have one...........I will post a pic.
I purchsed a momo boss for a new steering wheel (there are two listed for the 944).
I did question which to buy but was convinced by the assistant that I needed the <84 for my 85 square dash.
I disconected the battery and fitted the new wheel. I then connected the battery and tried the switchgear, everything worked OK.
While retuning the radio (ignition off) I turned the steering wheel and was instantly choked by smoke coming out of the dash.
I did not panic (MUCH) but managed to disconnect the battery in a few seconds.
It was a good job the tools were at my feet (I wish the bonnet release was on the right).
On investigation the cast indicator return lug (usually plastic) had shorted the live copper rail to the indicator stalk when I moved the wheel. The later boss obviously has a longer lug!
As the ignition was off it could only be the park light feed.
It took me a whole day upside down in the footwell to strip the loom of the melted wire, Wearing gloves I removed the mostly bare wire and checked for damage to other wires.
I thought it would take a week but the wire returned back to the main light switch after going all around the back of the dash.
I now only have the left park light (thinking of getting rid of that aswell)
The toxic smoke was that bad you could not see through the screen!
If I had drived off then this might not have happened until the first right turn!
Why didnt a fuse blow?
If I had children in the back, would they get out in time?
I did a nervous test drive with the earth just tight, the spanner in my top pocket and a mate on the bonnet (catch).......he did get some double takes with that extinguisher between his legs.
I then went and fitted a battery isolator.
It is not the incar type that I would prefer but it was fitted in 5 min.
Everybody should have one...........I will post a pic.
