The "Stephen Problem" and the Climate Control 1984 5KS.

[cobram at juno.com]

While no big surprise, the Climate Control section of the Bentley that
relates to the above model refers to "powered" connectors that don't
exist, wire colors that aren't even present, and relay configurations
that had me doubting whether after 10+ years of ownership that this was
indeed a 1984 type 44...

Scenario:  The climate control began to blow the fuse about 3 months ago,
with no rhyme or reason,  independent of the setting or whether the
climate control was even on, suddenly the fuse would blow.  So, I
replaced the 30amp fuse at position 17 that kept blowing with a circuit
breaker for the power windows off an extra auxilary relay panel.

Worked fine,  circuit breaker would occasionally blow (about 3 times a
week), come back after a while.  Until about 2 weeks ago when the head
unit reading and the climate control failed completely.   Fuse would be
OK but no juice seemed to be flowing to the blue/black wire that feeds
into the climate control (round under ignition) connector.  So, I changed
the fuse box (3rd time, the other 2 times it solved the electrical
problems), as there was corrosion visible under the general area of fuse
17 and I have a few spares anyway.   Nothing, no difference.

So, I feed current directly to the round climate control connector and
the head unit comes to life, with normal current draw, attempt same with
section of wire that goes back to fusebox and blows circuit breaker.  So
I cut the blue/black "Stephen" wire and run an extra-thick wire from the
fusebox feed to the round climate control connector.  Rear defrost works,
climate control head works,  etc.  EXCEPT that now the blower motor does
not go on, and I can't really tell whether the programmer is doing
anything.  This in itself is already a great improvement, as now at least
I have a rear window defogger (part of the climate head unit on this type
44)  and the windows don't fog up as fast.

I'm thinking that maybe that piece of "Stephen" wire I bypassed may feed
some other components before it reaches the round climate control
connector.  Any BTDT?  Going to play with it again when the weather gets
better.  Since the "new:" fusebox is from a later model type 44, I can
leave the "Stephen" wire jump in place and connect two more wires
independently.  Anybody ever traced this blue/black wire from the fusebox
forward?  If so do you remember where it went before reaching that round
connector that goes to climate control head?  I really hate opening up
the harness and tracing this stuff back, at least I can console myself in
the fact that it's not a BMW....


quk at isham-research.freeserve.co.uk writes:

> This is known as a 'Stephen Problem'.  One of the worst electrical 
> bugs on an ur-quattro or a Type 44.

> is also a bastard.  It is therefore referred to as 'Stephen' and any
> problem involving fuse 12 is a 'Stephen Problem'.

On the type 44 (1984 5KS) this blue/black wire feeds off the "M"
connector of the fusebox, marked 75ak and seems to only be related to the
climate control/ac controls.

BCNU,
Cobram at Juno.Com
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/1469/

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