Melted wiring loom!

[JamesO]

Had a close one today, my alarm started acting up in that it would still trigger when the car was unlocked. I thought ok will deal with that tomorrow, when smoke started pouring out of the passeger side. It smelt electrical so I opened the boot and pulled the battery, on inspection the the cable to the factory alarm has melted all the way up to the main loom!
Have started pulling the dash out but it looks like the whole front including the heater will have to come out unless anybody knows how I can bypass that part of the loom as it immobilises the car and will prob catch fire in its current state.

 

[Black_JPN]

The words 'oh' and 'bugger' come to mind! Can't help with the immobiliser wiring but the Clark's garage website have a comprehensive guide on how to remove the dashboard.

 

[Guest]

Lucky you had the presence of mind to hook off the battery James ...

I use this site for looking at wiring diagrams and found it most helpful

http://www.cannell.co.uk/Manuals.htm

Go to volume 5 and look at the PDF about page 109 -112 .. This covers MY89 cars. You can see in the diagram where the looms all inter connect. If you first of all take out the Alarm control unit and see if its the root cause of the short circuit . If not the wires may have been chaffed and shorted together. Without looking at the car there is no point in guessing.... Start gathering the evidence....

As Damon already suggested go to Clarks Garage Shop Manual where theres a really good guide to removing the dash.... []

Good luck with her

 

[JamesO]

Cheers I have most of the dash out and will use this as a chance to remove the fob immobiliser thingy as it drives me nuts..
It is a big job as the loom goes behind the heater by the looks of it

 

[JamesO]

Apoligies for the mobile pics but thats all I have to hand

 

[SimonP]

Hope its not as bad as I found on my car.
After removing three badly installed alarm systems, found an earth wire had melted all the way through the loom to a common weld point somewhere above the steering column...

 

[JamesO]

I must admit at the moment i'm tempted to break it and cut my losses. It just goes against the grain to scrap a nice car over a couple of wires. That pic looks like how far i have to strip it. how long did that take?

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: JamesO

I must admit at the moment i'm tempted to break it and cut my losses. It just goes against the grain to scrap a nice car over a couple of wires.

I know its easy to say it (being 500 miles away) but dont do it.....[] There are too many being broken up...! Just stick with it. Use good quality and grade of wire, solder ALL connections and insulate them properly. You have the dash well enough stripped now to get a good look. It amazes me how many alarms/accesories are fitted very badly and by so called reputable auto electricians. Scotchlock connectors , winding wires together with tape the list goes on.

Dodgey Wires = Car Fires []

Just take your time - mark everything and make notes. You will need to find out why the wires burned in the first place. This will give you a better idea on what you need to repair..... The main thing is dont rush ...!

 

[peanut]

bad luck James , thats a gutsy move taking all that lot apart.[]

Stick with it mate you'll get immense satisfaction from driving it when its done , kinda like a special bonding lol[]

Is there anyone near you that can come and give you some help or support ? ie some curry and beers ! seriously we should try to get a support map going on here of members that are prepared to travel locally to help others with their cars

good luck mate and don't forget to cut that b****y immobiliser out Grrrrrr

 

[peanut]

ORIGINAL: SimonP

Hope its not as bad as I found on my car.
After removing three badly installed alarm systems, found an earth wire had melted all the way through the loom to a common weld point somewhere above the steering column...

jeezus Simon that image is going to give me nightmares tonight !

how long did it take you to put it all back together ? I think I would have taken the seats out as well if it were me. I'm such a great lumbering oaf I wouldn't have been able to move in there lol

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: peanut

Is there anyone near you that can come and give you some help or support ? ie some curry and beers ! seriously we should try to get a support map going on here of members that are prepared to travel locally to help others with their cars

Thats the best suggestion Ive heard in a long time. If a map was made as a sticky and was updated every so often as long as members didnt mind their contact details being disclosed. This is also good for the social aspect of things and a brillant way to learn about the car .If you have a problem its very easy to become disillusioned. Your local "grease monkey" shrugs his shoulders and wont even open the bonnet[]

Id be up for this. (Says he the other side of the water [])

Great Suggestion Nick []

 

[JamesO]

Thanks for the tips/motivation. I have managed to remove most of the offending wiring and all the accumulated 'optional extras' from an 18 year life and the car now starts!!

The dash will still have to come out as there is one ground that looks like it got hot. I think it runs to the other side of the dash as mentioned by simon. I wont be happy unless I can check it.

 

[JamesO]

The car was immobilised at 4 different points. here is a pic of the worst damage caused.

 

[peanut]

Blimey well done James thats pretty impressive work in just a day ! The pictures are going to prove very helpful to others on here .
How exactly was your car immobilised ? was it at one point only or several or did you find several old redundant immobiliser circuits ? Have you removed the original Porsche alarm system as well? sorry for all the questions but gotta know all the sordid details.

Don't suppose you'd be up for doing ours as well ???

ok chaps form an ordely queue behind me .... oy no shoving at the back hee hee[]

 

[peanut]

ORIGINAL: VanhireBoys

ORIGINAL: peanut

Is there anyone near you that can come and give you some help or support ? ie some curry and beers ! seriously we should try to get a support map going on here of members that are prepared to travel locally to help others with their cars

Id be up for this. (Says he the other side of the water [])

Great Suggestion Nick []

No worries ...My missus is flying over tonight to Ireland tonight visiting rellies in Mountrath .We can do a video mobile link up lol [][][]

Seriously I think it would be a good idea but I think with all the current hoo har about members and non members and forum access etcetc it would be impossible to get off the ground. I bet 99% of the 944 lot would volunteer cos we are all oily rag owners if the truth is known. but I don't know about the `other lot ' those with the engines in the wrong place lol[]

 

[JamesO]

I would be happy to show you where the loom was cut. or pm you but some may well still use the stock security system and not want it made public. I have a bit of time for light spannering at the mo as I'm recovering from a disc removal and wont be working until july.
I removed the factory alarm and another one which was a porsche one but looked to be fitted (badly) aftermarket and some remains of hands free kits. the car was immobilised at 4 points of the loom.

 

[Black_JPN]

James, I see you're in Reading, I'm only in Bracknell and replaced my dash earlier this year so if need moral support at any point just let me know and I'll pop over!

 

[JamesO]

Thanks very much for the offer, if I get stuck I will give you a shout. Can supply beer and food

 

[JamesO]

A Bit more progress today, I took the dash out.
I would love to meet the guy who fitted the screen. He used so much sealant all the surrounding trim parts were glued to the screen.

 

[Diver944]

Just gotta love pictures of cars with their dash removed []

If you're careful and clean all the accumulated muck you will end up with less squeaks and rattles after re-installation []