Terminal designations
The motley mix of wires in a car is actually very streamlined, because many of the details of a car's electrical system are standard. The numbers on various parts and cable connections, as well as in wiring diagrams, have the same meaning in all German and in some foreign cars.
Terminal 15 receives power from the ignition switch only when the ignition is on, and in addition to the ignition coil, power is also supplied to those current consumers who should receive it only during the direct operation of the vehicle. The wires to terminals 15 are black sheathed, sometimes with additional colored stripes.
Terminal 30 is continuously powered by the positive battery terminal or, with the engine running, by the alternator. Rough handling of tools can cause short circuits and sparks if the negative battery terminal is not disconnected. This permanently energized wire has a red sheath, optionally with additional colored stripes.
Terminal 49 is responsible for the turn signal and hazard warning lights.
Terminal 53 supplies power to the windshield washer system.
Terminal 56 is responsible for supplying power for the low beam yellow and yellow-black and for high beam with white and white-black wires.
Terminal 58 is needed for the front and rear position lights and number plate lights. The main color of the wire sheath is gray, respectively, with additional colored stripes. Terminal 31 is a housing terminal or «masses», with which the power consumer must be connected to the body of the car in order for the electrical circuit to be closed. Corresponding wires are provided with a brown sheath.
Designation of electrical connectors
Individual wires are often bundled in large black sheathed bundles in the Audi-100, making it difficult to find a specific wire. Orientation assistance in this case can be obtained from the numerous multi-pin plug connections shown in the wiring diagrams in the next chapter.
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