Brown wire fix - 1981?

[KevAndAndi]

I read about the brown wire fix and went ahead and bought some #10 wire, then subsequently read that a 1981 supposedly doesn't need the fix. I later found a brown wire coming off of the positive battery terminal. Does this mean I don't have to bother with the BWF?

[courtenay]

That's correct. You don't need to do the brown wire fix on an '81.

[81SPIDERMATT]

I did the same thing .... bought some wire and ... " hey look at that" .... thought I needed it ... then I read about grounds and cleaning contacts .... wow ... I mean WOW ...

[KevAndAndi]

Well, that's one thing I can cross off the list, then. I'll just concentrate on the grounds.

And I just learned something else here today: The fuel pump should not be running when I turn the key to the on (not start) position. I thought it was awfully weird to be designed that way; now I know it wasn't. So I will take a look at the AFM flap and the dual relay...

[azruss]

Many of the FI cars were changed by PO to by-pass the dual relay. The dual relay can be bench tested with a volt meter and 12V source like a battery charger. Before worrying about the AFM, start looking for creative wiring to the fuel pump.

[ga.spyder]

Many times that creative wiring was done on the ignition switch.I had the same issue when I got my car.

[KevAndAndi]

Many of the FI cars were changed by PO to by-pass the dual relay. The dual relay can be bench tested with a volt meter and 12V source like a battery charger. Before worrying about the AFM, start looking for creative wiring to the fuel pump.

I thought I would just quickly eliminate the AFM as a possible cause, as I understand that a bent contact there can fool the system into thinking that there's air flow and cause it to run the fuel pump. Will definitely look for creative wiring, too.

What was the reason, generally, for bypassing the dual relays? Was it simply that they failed, and the POs didn't want to bother replacing them?

[KevAndAndi]

Many times that creative wiring was done on the ignition switch.I had the same issue when I got my car.

Thanks, I'll check that, too.

[azruss]

On my 80, the dual relay was bypassed with a wire connected to the on switch. The dual relay bench tested fine and has been running flawlessly for that last year and a half.
I think many owners do not understand or unwilling to find out how the system works. The dual relay is expensive. There is also an in-line fuse going to the dual relay that many are not aware of. I also think they are just looking for a quick cheap fix.
As with most cars, as they get older and cheaper, they are purchased by drivers who dont have the knowledge or financial means to keep the car working like it should, so do work-arounds to save the cost of parts or a mechanic.

[KevAndAndi]

On my 80, the dual relay was bypassed with a wire connected to the on switch. The dual relay bench tested fine and has been running flawlessly for that last year and a half.
I think many owners do not understand or unwilling to find out how the system works. The dual relay is expensive. There is also an in-line fuse going to the dual relay that many are not aware of. I also think they are just looking for a quick cheap fix.
As with most cars, as they get older and cheaper, they are purchased by drivers who dont have the knowledge or financial means to keep the car working like it should, so do work-arounds to save the cost of parts or a mechanic.

Unfortunately true. Particularly unfortunate in the case of an owner who defeats the fuel pump's intended electrical circuits*, gets into an accident causing a broken fuel line, and has his fuel pump pumping merrily away, disgorging gasoline onto the pavement - until perhaps he regains consciousness and turns the key to "off".

*Or a subsequent owner who does not detect the creative wiring.