Dash Wire Fire - It Happened - $3.75 Can Save U Grief Options

[RickS]

Was installing Super Bright white LEDs to replace my instrument bulbs and had all the gauges done except the speedo. All was glowing fine until that point. I replaced the two in my speedo and flicked on the light switch to test if they were properly situated and working and then I heard a very faint hisssssssssssssssssssssss, and then the smoke started pouring out from behind the dash. All the dash lights then went out.

Needless to say, I felt sick. At least the smoke was very faint. I checked all the fuses and WTF, they were all fine.

Then I found this article which says, that the instrument lights are one of the electrical systems Porsche/VW didn't bother to fuse. Thanks a lot P/VW!

http://www.dietersmotorsports.com/tech/1998/12-98a.html

Prevention is ridiculously cheap and quick. Simply add a $3 fuse holder with a 3 amp fuse to the instrument lights wire at the switch. The wire is black with blue rings. Just place a female and male spade connector on each end of the fuse, plug the thing in to the wire you disconnected, and shrink wrap the ends, or tape it like crazy, and test. And don't forget to disconnect the negative from the battery first. Test with out the fuse, plug the fuse in and your done.

Please 'bump' this post to keep it near the top so everyone sees it.

[RickS]

One correction to the picture from the 911 for a 914; the wire from the light switch to the dash lights is black with a twisting blue line. Behind the instruments, it attaches to the black line with the blue rings.

It is not quite as effective a setup, but it far easier to attach the fuse between where the black with blue twisty line connects to the black with the blue rings behind the fuel gauge.

Dave has an excellent suggestion and it might be easier and more 'factory'.

I read somewhere about the amperage required for the dash gauge lights was pretty low, hence the 3 amp fuse (I have a 3 amp in both the teener and 911).