Hey everyone, I was doing my spark plugs last night (it was a real frustrating experience) and I was inspecting some grounds and areas around the starter.

I noticed this




The area circled in red... Two wires going into what looks like a capacitor of some sort.
The angle wasn't the best, but I was able to wrap some electrical tape around it. What do these go to and what kind of trouble could they cause?

Also the area in blue. I just noticed this after uploading the picture. It looks like a weather pack seal of some sort. What is it?

Thanks!

 

What looks like orange Wires (connected to the Stater Motor Solenoid) that have a Black cylinder, and turn into Red Wires...
are the MAIN POWER connections for the Ignition-Switch, Headlight-Switch, and others.

What you are looking at, are called Fusible-Links.
At this point in time, Maxi Fuses (40A, 50A, 60A, Etc) and Mega Fuses (100A +) did not exist yet.
Fusible-Links are a wire that will burn-up/ break connection (like a Fuse) when the Current passing through exceeds it's rating.

It is very important that those exposed Red Wires do not make ground-contact...
and must be repaired.

The other wire, in your Image looks like a broken Knock-Sensor Connector.
Here is what the Sensor looks like:



Here is what the Connector SHOULD look like:

 

So thats where the knock sensor is? I thought that might have been the coolant temp switch.

I recently got a code related to the knock sensor, wonder if this part of the problem. My replacement actually should have came in today.

Was going to do the coolant switch too, cause I have some issues with my fan constantly running.

How would you suggest going about fixing these exposed wires? Can we purchase fusible links for a direct replacement or would another method be more desirable?

 

Fusible links are sold at most auto parts stores. I got mine from The Repair Connector Store
( https://www.repairconnector.com/ ).
They should be 4 gauge sizes smaller than your wires, which I believe are 10 awg.
Knock sensor goes in the engine block on passenger side. Fan switch goes in the passenger-side cylinder head between cylinders 6 and 8...

 

Alrighty, thanks for the tip.

I'll look into replacing this soon.

So since two wires are going into one link, would I need to buy two separate ones? Or splice the two wires into 1 before the link?

 

Not sure about 1988 but I "assume" it's the same as my 1983 which has 2 main power wires, each with its own fusible link...

 

Some Years built with Air-Conditioning, do have one Fusible-Link that has Two Red Wires connected.
A 10AWG Wire and a 12AWG Wire.

The 12AWG Wire would go to the HVAC High-Speed Blower-Relay.
The 10AWG Wire goes through the C100 Bulk-Head Electrical Connector...
and then becomes the S200 Splice-Pack into multiple large gauge Wires.

 

I do have air conditioning. How would I do this? I never heard of a splice pack before. If they are different gauge wires what size fusible link would I need? Would I just run two separate wires?

 

Following this thread as I just used my high speed blower as a permanent kill switch.

 

I think the easiest way would be to run individual fusible links. Use a 14awg link on the 10 gauge wire, and a 16awg link on a 12 gauge wire. Use crimp-on butt connectors and put heatshrink tubing on them to keep out dirt and moisture. Install a ring connector (use heatshrink on that too) on the end of each link and put them on the positive stud of the starter with your +battery cable...

 

Alright! Should be a fun little job. Pretty tight in there.

Thanks for the help!

 

I just want to make certain...
You do plan to remove the Wires from the Starter Motor Solenoid, in order to perform your Wiring repair.
... to provide you a lot more room to work.

... and most importantly, disconnect the Main Ground-Cable from the Battery FIRST.

 

Another good tip! Always disconnect battery before electrical repairs.

 

So, it turns out I gotta replace my starter too. So I am gonna do everything at once.

I seem to be having an issue with the whole fusible link concept.

Is this an actual fusible link? Or just a wire? Not sure...

Or is this more what I am looking at... Here

 

Your first example is the correct type.
If you follow my previous advice and order some fusible links at: https://www.repairconnector.com/cate...FUSIBLE-LINKS/ , you won't have to deal with any confusion. Each link should be 4 wire gauges smaller than the wire you are connecting them to...

 

Alright cool. I think what's throwing me off is how different they look from the stock ones. I didn't realize they can just load it in the wire like that.

Thanks again, ordering these tonight

14gauge is outta stock unfortunately.

 

Okay, since they don't have it in stock, try NAPA or other local auto parts store and look for 14 gauge fusible link with a ring connector.
Yes, the fuse is the wire itself. It's a different material than the normal wiring...

 

I had some ordered to my local orileys. Gonna replace the links and the starter at the same time.

 

Are you replacing with the stock starter or the vette starter? The stock one is a beast.

 

Im going lt1

 

Cool, you'll like it. You prob know, but the wires will need to be a little longer to reach, but since youre dredoing yours it should be good. (They can reach stock length with spacers).
Glad you started this thread, the fusible link info is good stuff.
Good luck!