I think I've killed my car...

[Paul Fraser]

I replaced the front carpet yesterday and was putting the centre console and instruments back today. Unfortunately, connected up the console instruments incorrectly because the lights came on and smoke started rising from the wires... Two burnt fingers and too much time later I had, in places, bare and melted wires at several points on the loom.
Subsequently had taken the dash out to get a better look behind and see the extent of the damage.
What do I do now? Do I replace the damaged sections with good wire or do I replace the loom? Does the part of the loom that runs from the instruments go to the back of the fuse box/relay panel? Is it a separate section that can be replaced? It looks like a steering rack and Motronic unit out job to get access. Can anyone who has replaced a loom or rebuilt their car give me some advice, please?
At the moment I'm wondering if I'm going to have to scrap it... and all this after replacing the fuel tank and the rear exhaust last week
PS Have looked at Haynes and workshop manual, no use for this.

 

[Riverside]

No useful advice on rewiring the car except maybe have a chat with Willdew (not sure he posts on here, he's a regular on the 968uk forum & Pistonheads though), IIRC he replaced part of the loom on his 968 so might be able to give you some ideas on costs.

I was in a similar scrap it/fix it situation with mine a few months ago when I broke a valve at a trackday. My mind was reeling with the various possibilities of how terminal the problem could be, how much it would cost, how much I could afford for an unplanned bill.

First thing I did (after confirming it wasn't anything simple) was take it to a garage to get a professional opinion on what my options were. In your case it shouldn't cost you much more than the transport cost of getting the car there.

I would guess that the parts cost should be relatively low & it would be the labour cost that would be huge (eg if the dash needs to come out), you can decide then whether to tackle it yourself or to buy a replacement (or donor) car or whatever.

Best iof luck to you.

 

[Paul Fraser]

Thanks for your advice -- I've ascertained from the PET that there is a loom that runs from the fuse box to the instruments so need to find the cost of a replacement tomorrow.