Orphan Wire

[ralphcap]

This brown wire is not connected to any part. It appears to be exiting from a wire harness on the intake side of my 1981 FI 2000. Any idea where this goes?
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[fiat218]

This brown wire is not connected to any part. It appears to be exiting from a wire harness on the intake side of my 1981 FI 2000. Any idea where this goes?

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[ralphcap]

Sorry Jim. Finally got the pic. We're a bit slow down river!

[vandor]

Looks yellow to me. Horns?

[ralphcap]

Horn is working fine. There is a yellow wire in the photo that is connected to the alternator. The wire I'm referring to is definitely brown and it exits a wiring harness.

[spider2081]

I am assuming your car is a 1981 is that correct??

In the area of the photo I don't know of any wires that color. I looked for a white, brown, or yellow wire and didn't see one. Does the wire have any numbers stamped in it?? If the wire was originally in a black sleeve it could be something related toe the fuel injection system. Does the temperature switch located under the intake manifold have a connector on it?? Can you post more photos of that area of your car with the other wires in the photo.

The side light has a small diameter yellow wire in it but that wire comes out of the fender well with the wires from the headlight.

[ralphcap]

The brown wire is lying on top of the alternator and leaning against the alternator.

[ralphcap]

The brown wire is lying on top of the alternator and leaning against the alternator bracket.

[klweimer]

The only brown wire on my '82 in that area is the one going to the starter terminal to bring power up to the ignition switch. I have a yellow and black wire running to the oil pressure idiot light switch.
Kirk

[ralphcap]

OK, I think it's goes to the windshield washer fluid container that I remove from the car eight years ago!

[spider2081]

OK, I think it's goes to the windshield washer fluid container that I remove from the car eight years ago!

You could be correct however the color of the washer pump wires should be gray/black and black violet and they should both be part of a 2 pin bullet connector. This connector is usually on the driver side fender well, forward of the alternators pulley.

[ralphcap]

Thanks spider 2081. Yes, I see the connector you are referring to lying disconnected in my engine bay. Guess I'm back to square one. I still think it's brown but I have a larger brown wire going to the starter. The side light is working fine as is the horn. I have undergone many eye exams and was never told I was color blind. In 1969 I passed my physical exam for the draft with flying colors! of course that was almost 50 years ago. Maybe it is a discolored yellow.

[klweimer]

Have you traced the wire back into the cabin?
Kirk

[spider2081]

I still think it's brown

I would not question the color. I know taking photos of wires is not a true representation of the color one sees when looking at the wire. I have also found particularly with the first cars changing to fuel injection Fiat did not always follow their color code.
You might put a volt meter on the wire. If you find it has voltage in certain conditions that might help you identify its purpose.

[zachmac]

If it is brown and you have an 81 then per the wiring diagrams it has to be part of the infamous "brown wire fix". There are simply no other brown wires in the wiring diagrams anywhere, particularly of that gauge, that would be in the engine bay. There are smaller gauge brown wires for lighting and misc. feeds but those are all under the dash and don't go out through the firewall anywhere.

Does it have power in the on ignition switch position? Check and see if you have a brown wire coming off the back of your ignition switch and take a continuity reading between there and the wire in the engine bay.

Refer to the wiring diagrams posted on Mirafiori to see excellent diagrams for your car. They are here: https://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/8 ... MPLETE.pdf