| Author | Message | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 613 Registered: 1-2001 |
Marcus -- I'd add the fuel pumps (I've noted mine draw just under ~10A each) to the list of possible areas that could have solder joint/male pin/female socket overheating problems. | ||
| Marcus Adolfsson (Marcusadolfsson)
New member Username: Marcusadolfsson Post Number: 33 Registered: 10-2001 |
Ben, The board replacement worked - for now. I am aware that it is a visicious cycle though, and if I don't do your modifications it will happen again. Which are the affected relays that I need to re-route? AC and cooling fans, any others? Which pin on the relay is the rerouted one? (sure I can figure this out by looking at it). Ben's solution is a quick hack, but would require to resodder the connection when changing relays. Steve's is nicer, but requires me to take the board out... Decisons decisions... | ||
| Ben Lobenstein 90 TR (Benjet)
Member Username: Benjet Post Number: 518 Registered: 1-2001 |
Marcus, I'm sorry to say this, but replacing the fuse panel may not have solved the problems for you. As other owners have noted this is more of a design flaw, the (stock) system is just not capable of handling the kind of current (amperage) that is needed by the TRs electrical items. In my case it wasn't the board that went bad, but the connectors at the bottom the melted off the connections on the board (almost identical to SteveM's pic #3). My solution is more crude, but still just as effective. I soldered a jumper wire directly onto the affected relays and ran that to the lines that were once in the white connectors. See pic:  SteveM I like your solution(s) as well, just more effort than what was needed in my case. Hey that's the first pic I posted on since the system upgrade! -Ben | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 611 Registered: 1-2001 |
Marcus -- some jpegs of my TR fusepanel "modifications": 1. Added female spade terminals and wires to pick-up the extra 87 output terminal on relays (yellow is for AC, blue and blue/black for the coolant cooling fans) inside the fusepanel assembly. The hard pard is making a good mechanical attachment of the added female spade terminal to withstand relay insertion/extraction:  2. The fusepanel assembly with the added wires:  3. The fusepanel assembly installed showing the wiring added to the connectors:  4. The final assembly:  | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 610 Registered: 1-2001 |
(working on getting the jpegs sized correctly) -- Rob is there no "delete" message? | ||
| Marcus Adolfsson (Marcusadolfsson)
New member Username: Marcusadolfsson Post Number: 29 Registered: 10-2001 |
I just replaced my fuse board, too much current had caused several soddered pins to "melt" and sunk on the back side.  Can someone post step-by-step procedures on running the bypass wire? I have a feeling this will occur again... | ||
| Marcus Adolfsson (Marcusadolfsson)
New member Username: Marcusadolfsson Post Number: 28 Registered: 10-2001 |
I just replaced my fuse board, the much current had caused several soddered pins to "melt" on the back side.  Can someone post step-by-step procedures on running the bypass wire? I have a feeling this will occur again... | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 607 Registered: 1-2001 |
Jeffrey -- it's not necessarily "adding relays" (although that's one possible solutions) -- it's more adding a parallel conduction path from a particular existing relay to the corresponding output wire(s) leaving the fuse/relay panel. As Russ said, it depends on the climate/corrosion, but I'd be very surprised if every TR didn't show some signs of overheating at the fusepanel connectors (e.g., slight discoloration of the surrounding plastic connector body). Easy enough to check by just unplugging the connectors and doing a visual inspection -- if everything looks good, then no worries. | ||
| Russ Moore (Rem9)
Junior Member Username: Rem9 Post Number: 60 Registered: 6-2001 |
For the most part problems with fuse boxes and relays are a result of poor electrical connections caused by corrosion. Mostly this is caused by moisture getting onto the conductive surfaces. Cleaning the surfaces, keeping the area dry and using a small amount of conductive "grease" will reduce any problems in this area. Often, when a resistance builds up as a result of corrosion, heat is produced. In some instances this can damage components and if severe enough, require the replacement of the fuse panel assembly. Algar, in my experiences, has been pretty straight with me. I would suggest them over other possibilities. Please also realize, some relays are standard Bosch and can be purchased from your local VW or Audi dealer. I have also heard some national chain parts houses carry Bosch electrics and they too might be a place to look. Auto Zone and Parts America along with NAPA come to mind. As I have a number of British lumps in the collection also, I am familiar with the phobia many have over Lucas electrics. Again, the cause of the majority of problems goes back to corrosion on connections and a lack of grease at those sites. Once the contacts are cleaned and protected, I have rarely if ever had repeat problems. Please also realize, there are folks who are challenged by the mere changing of a fuse, yet complaign when the dealer charges for 15 minutes to change it. If an owner uses care, they can perform much in the way of preventive maintence on a TR, or any other car for that matter. Russ | ||
| Dr. George Petito (Doc18015)
New member Username: Doc18015 Post Number: 30 Registered: 12-2001 |
Good question.....I have 22K on my 87 TR with no problems. Maybe someone that has insight to repairs at Ferrari dealerships could address this. I do know that service contract companies keep great records with frequency of repairs on insured cars. I saw a thread on the board about Algar , Phila.,Pa...maybe they can be of help. At any rate, I would like to know more about it for preventative reasons. | ||
| Jeffrey Ballmer (Jballmer)
New member Username: Jballmer Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2002 |
Several threads have mentioned replacing the fuse box or adding relays on testarossas. Are there a lot of owners that have not had any electrical problems or is it so commmon that I should add a couple relays as preventive maintenance. Any feedback would be appreciated. |