Mystery wires (somewhat)... | FerrariChat
Buy

Mystery wires (somewhat)...

Discussion in '308/328' started by 455Fosbery, Mar 18, 2016.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. 455Fosbery

    455Fosbery Karting

    Oct 3, 2013
    212
    #1 455Fosbery, Mar 18, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    In finally finding the time to remove an after-market stereo in my '84 QV (US), I came across the following two wires just to the right of the steering column. Both are white with spade connectors: One with solid red line, the other with broken red line.

    With the ignition off, the one with the broken red line was hot (live at battery Voltage) and the one with the solid red line was at zero Voltage.

    Thoughts?

    The photograph indicating where these disappear to under the dash was taken with the assistance of a mirror, so not an RHD example!

    Input greatly appreciated.

    Best,

    John.

    P.S. The reason I added "somewhat" in the thread title is because I think they go to the ignition switch to activate the buzzer I have yet to hear. Not sure on this, hence the thread. Additionally, I would have thought that they would have had female connectors were this the case...
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. jmaz

    jmaz Formula Junior

    Jun 27, 2011
    350
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Jim
    #2 jmaz, Mar 20, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Not sure if this is at all applicable to 308s, but here's a pic I made that shows the wiring colors for the ignition switch wiring on my '89 328. None of the wires are white with red.

    The list of wiring colors in the 328 wiring diagram document lists a white striped red wire type but no white wire with broken red striping.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  3. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,944
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #3 Steve Magnusson, Mar 20, 2016
    Yes, they do per the schematic in your OM (and one is shown with a male spade terminal and the other has a female spade terminal). The "buzzer" that that "key left in ignition" switch is connected to also serves as the buzzer for the unfastened seat belt warning (if you don't hear this buzzer for that = it may be unplugged).
     
  4. 455Fosbery

    455Fosbery Karting

    Oct 3, 2013
    212
    #4 455Fosbery, Mar 21, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hi Steve,

    This is what I thought as one diagram I saw indicates two wires that are "BR" (White with Red stripe) that connect to the Ignition Switch. That being said, my original Owner's Manual looks somewhat different with 'bits' coming off the main wires (circled in red in the attached photo of the OM diagram)... Not sure if these are separate wires going nowhere or what. In any event, I thought that these may be the wires that I discovered: One (marked "1") hot, the other (marked "2") going to the buzzer.

    Further thoughts would be appreciated, I.e., on this assumption being correct and, if so, what is the intended purpose of the wires, why would they both terminate in male spades (especially the 'hot' one!), etc.

    Best,

    John.

    P.S. Thank you for taking the time to respond as well Jim!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  5. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,944
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #5 Steve Magnusson, Mar 21, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2016
    Those are those wires - the symbols you have circled are just for associating the wire insulation color marking (in this case "BR") to the wire that it applies to. The "U" and "|" symbols mated on the switch itself convey that one wire (the #2 wire coming from fuseblock and would go +12V when the key is "on") is a male spade going into a female spade on the switch and the other #1 wire (that goes to the buzzer) has a female spade that connects to a male spade on the switch.

    The fact that you measure +12V on the #1 wire is a sign that your unfastened seat belt buzzer is plugged in -- one thing you can do is just touch the two BR wires together (with the key "off" or not even present) = the unfastened seat belt buzzer should sound if all else is OK and you are only missing the special switch built into the ignition switch. Does your unfastened seat belt buzzer work as it relates to the seat belt function?
     
  6. Saabguy

    Saabguy Formula 3

    Mar 28, 2012
    1,785
    Shreveport, LA
    #6 Saabguy, Mar 21, 2016
    Well ****, you learn something new every day. I didn't know about the "U" and "I" symbols.

    Thanks Steve.
     
  7. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,944
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #7 Steve Magnusson, Mar 21, 2016
    Should've added that you might have to try this with the Driver's door both opened and closed (as the buzzer may only sound when the Driver's door is open and the key is in the ignition switch (i.e., BR wires connected) in the "off" position.
     
  8. 455Fosbery

    455Fosbery Karting

    Oct 3, 2013
    212
    #8 455Fosbery, Mar 21, 2016
    Hi Steve,

    Thank you for the suggestion(s)... I shall try this in the next day or two and report back.

    In the meantime, I guess what we are dealing with is a buzzer that is activated by several things, e.g., seatbelt not fastened, key in ignition with door open, etc.

    I have not looked as closely as I should, but am guessing that the seat belt alert is activated via some contact/switch in the seat belt mechanism(s) and the 'key in ignition' alert via the lower door jamb switch (on US Models only).

    In any event, I am hesitant to connect the wires directly together in the unlikely event that I have got this totally wrong. By this, I mean that I'll probably connect a light bulb in line... If it lights and the buzzer goes off, then all is well.

    Best,

    John.
     

Share This Page