re-harnessing '86 CGT, friedness question

[auditude at cox.net]

Marc Swanson <mswanson at sonitrol.net> wrote:
>
> > I considered relaying the starter, but I don't know if I want to bother
>
> huh?  Not many automotive relays that I know of which will handle that
> kind of current.  That's what the starter solenoid is for...

Sorry, I meant relay the signal wire to the starter solenoid.  I think Huw did this and there was a brief conversation on this on the list.  People were having some kind of weak signal to the solenoid, causing less than full power to the starter itself.

> > I don't know why the harness would be fried.  Isn't stuff fuse protected?
>
> yes
>
> > I would like to understand why it was melted before I put in another harness.
>
> could be lots of reasons.. most likely would be either:
>
> -melted due to engine heat
> -current draw wasn't enough to blow the fuse but was enough to melt the
> wiring.  could be due to a few thin spots in the harness or using too
> large a fuse (is it the right size?).

I'll have to check that.  Which fuse is it?  As I wrote, the CIS fuse was missing, so perhaps it popped and they thought it was a spent spare fuse.

> > Is there any testing I can do to see what fried it?
>
> if it was the wire, you could check the point to point resistance along
> the length of the wire to see where there might be a thin spot in the
> copper (due to chaffing or whatever) but you'd be more likely to find
> that with a good visual inspection.  Does the wire appear "more melted"
> in one location than another?

Well, it doesn't appear to be melted prior to (toward the cabin) the area, but when I pull it I will be able to do a more thorough inspection.  Probably I can check out where to of the wires may have shorted with each other.

I wonder if there is any potential damage to the computer or anything, ya think?  I have all that crap from my last Coupe, so I can do some more swappin' if necessary.

> > Is the cold start valve a 12v device?
>
> I _think_ so.  either that or 6... can't remember.

Seems to "click" okay off the battery. :-P

> Hope that helps

Thanks Marc!

Ken