I'm trying to duplicate what I had when I had to replace the battery cables. This setup has me wondering what the connector is. I want to say it is a fusible link, but I'm not sure. Keep in mind that I am no expert and I simply try and learn everything I can servicing this car.

Photo #1 shows the original that I took off. Starting at the positive battery connection, the red thicker gauge wire went to the alternator and the black wire went to the starter. The connector on the red thicker cable has an orange and red wire. This connector connects to the female side of the connector, which is shown in photo #2. That orange wire goes into the main wire loom to wire-land and the red wire coming from the connector goes to a fuse, shown in photo #3, which is attached to the right side fender.

Can someone please explain what this is all about? I originally thought it was a fusible link, but then it goes to a fuse, which I don't get.

As always, thanks to anyone who can offer some help!

PHOTO #1
The tape job is what I did to put it together again since I removed the connector so that I can reuse it in the replacement. It's there so that everyone can see it's original placement. It's huge because it was a cylindrical plastic piece that the wires went into that could not be opened.


PHOTO #2


PHOTO #3 - Yeah, I'm not sure what is going on with those fingers...

 

Is this for a 1992 Camaro?
Which Engine did the vehicle originally have?
...if you do not know; then you can just tell me what the 8th digit of the VIN is instead.

The different Engines have slightly different wiring (Power-Distribution)...
I believe the Fuse in your Image is: "In-Line Fuse" #2...
and the Electrical-Connector is C145.

But I need to double-check this when I know which Engine the Camaro was wired for.

 

I believe it had the 350 (8th digit: 8)

 

Yes, I believe that is C145 shown the the Schematic below:

 

So it looks like you removed Fusible-Link D.

 

You're awesome! Thanks a lot!!

 

You are most welcome!

 

Now, the only reason i had to replace the fusible link was because I had to replace my battery cables because I was going to the top of the battery instead of the sides. I did replace the cable with 2 AWG (both to the alternator and the starter). Here are some questions I now have...

1) Does this fusible link protect all the components shown connected to it or just the alternator?
2) I'm guessing I can't reuse that fusible link now that I have 2 AWG wire?
3) Why is there a fuse (3rd picture) in the mix? I'm guessing for the fans?

I really appreciate anyone helping. I've had my head wrapped around this for a long time and I want to do this as safely as possible.

 

Fortunately this is very simple.
In reality, DC Voltage is going to flow in the direction of Negative to Positive...
However, you are going to look at the schematic as if Power flows from Battery Positive to a device (Fuel-Pump for example) and then to Ground).

Here is the same Schematic again:



I am going to remove most of everything from the Schematic Above that does not have to do with what you are working on.
Below is the modified Schematic:



Next I will separate this Schematic further.

 

Fusible-Link D is going to protect the Electric-Fan Relay and the Electric-Fan (or Relays and Fans).

The Battery Positive is going to connect to Fusible-Link D.
Then Fusible-Link D is going to connect to the Engine Coolant-Fan Relay (or Fan Relays).
Then the Engine Coolant-Fan Relay (or Fan Relays) is going to connect to the Engine Coolant-Fan (or Fans) and then Ground.

The Schematic below shows the Power that goes through Fusible-Link D and shows the device(s) that are powered/ protected by it.
NOTE: the Fan Relays have been simplified in the diagram to also contain the Electric-Fan(s):




At this point in time, Mega-Fuses and Maxi-Fuses did not exist.
So Fusible-Links were used when the Current-Draw exceeded the highest rated Fuses (30A).
Since a Fuse could not be used... Fusible-Links are sized to protect the circuits that are connected to them.

 

Now I will do the same thing for the devices that receive power through the 20A Fuse.
Shown below:

 

I don't know what to say except wow, incredible explanation!! So I can reuse my fusible link for the fan relays because the flow of electricity is going from the higher gauge wires into the lower gauge wire, not like I originally thought. So negative to positive. And, the fuse has nothing to do with the fusible link even though they are connected because of the same reason. This will go in my bookmarks! so much!

 

So knowing now what I know, I discovered that the fusible link is only 1/2 a fusible link. The red wire is just a power feed wire that then goes to through the connector and to the 20A fuse shown. It continues to the one relay by using an orange wire after the fuse. I will connect the red wire directly to the fuse instead of putting it through the connector. The small orange wire on the connector IS the fusible link for the other two relays and is in between the relays and the power source. This also uses orange wire to the two relays.

As a side note, the fan's wiring has darker colors and I believe I see two fusible links toward the bottom of the radiator and the ground(-) is up by the fender.

I'm going to go with this and I wanted to thank you for your clear explanation that helped me tremendously to understand what I have. And yes, I will have a fire extinguisher in my car!