Charred wire to starter

While prepaing to install a heat shield on a friends 82 we discovered a charred wire that connects to the starter solenoid.  The wire comes through a split wire loom near the starter where two wires go into a plastic "connector", the insulation on one of these wires is burned off to a point about 2 inches back into the wire loom.  Two wires go into the "connector" but only one comes out and travels to the solenoid.  The "connector" is marked 16 on one end and 45 in the middle.  What is this plastic "connector" and where do I find a replacement for it.  I cant find anything that looks like this at napa or advance auto sites. Any insight on how to replace this thing would be appreciated.  Crossfire19822008-08-31 16:37:45

Never saw one of those before.  Is it a fuseable link?  I assume you have checked out the various parts catalogs.  Paragon would be the one I would check for replacement stuff.

Joel is the wiring guru so he probably can help out the best.

I'm about to go work on my 1982.  I will jack up the car and take a look to see if mine has one on it.  Not that it will tell you a lot except that you are not alone.

Put my car on jack stands.  Do not have anything like your picture.  My C3 is an absolutely stock 82CE. 

I did find a vacuum hose that was busted.  I hope when I get it fixed it helps with my idle issues. 

Sorry no quick fix. 

 

I beleive that is the splice block for the fusable links, on older cars I beleive they were twisted together then soldered and tapped. This should replace what is there, maybe give them a call other venders like our sponser may have something simular

It's strange the harness wire overheated instead of the fused link going. mkapp78792008-08-31 19:33:20

That is the fusiable link wires.  It is not burned.  The insulation has pulled away and deteriorated, as is a habit of this type of wire.  No, the parts housed do not have a direct factory appearing replacement.   Nor do you need to replace it, there is no problem except the fact that you have bare power wires.

Classic case of dirty oil poisoning...and old age. The wire insulation has simply degraded due to the oil on it...as Ken said, it's fairly common, and as long as the wire itself it in good shape, it's ok to just re-wrap it.

Thanks guys.  I did tape it when I found it but wasnt satisfied with that as a permanent fix.  I have seen the heat shrink tape and will get some of that.  Stuff like this is what makes this forum work, all the great guys and gals here willing to share their knowledge.

I don't have that on my '82 either. I've been under there a few times and have nothing like it. I expected to see more stressed wires from heat and oil but have not really seen it too bad. Maybe I'm lucky?