Basics of a 12A FB?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
Basics of a 12A FB?
Excuse any of my questions, as they may seem a bit dumb, I have done many hours of searching this forum, and still some questions arise.
I have a 1984 Rx, I believe it's just a GS? It has an open rear and drums, but I digress.
Is my car supposed to have fuseable links? Or just the fuse panel that is under my dash?
The rats nest elimination looks handy, especially since this will be mostly a summer-only weekend car. Sadly my buddy (co-owner) likes AC, is there a way to simply cleanl up the rats nest, and/or eliminate half of it but keep something like an AC? What all does a rats nest do specifically? sometimes I end up more confused after reading 6 threads about them.
What are the white and black wires under my center armrest next to my e-brake? that are looped to each other..
Was there a better stock steering system from a GSL or SE I can swap in? Or am I better off just cleaning up the slop in my steering.
I have many more questions, and I'm sure I'll have many more as time goes on, I wanna thank you all in advance for your help with one of my favorite cars!
-Matt
I have a 1984 Rx, I believe it's just a GS? It has an open rear and drums, but I digress.
Is my car supposed to have fuseable links? Or just the fuse panel that is under my dash?
The rats nest elimination looks handy, especially since this will be mostly a summer-only weekend car. Sadly my buddy (co-owner) likes AC, is there a way to simply cleanl up the rats nest, and/or eliminate half of it but keep something like an AC? What all does a rats nest do specifically? sometimes I end up more confused after reading 6 threads about them.
What are the white and black wires under my center armrest next to my e-brake? that are looped to each other..
Was there a better stock steering system from a GSL or SE I can swap in? Or am I better off just cleaning up the slop in my steering.
I have many more questions, and I'm sure I'll have many more as time goes on, I wanna thank you all in advance for your help with one of my favorite cars!
-Matt
Welcome to the board, Matt. 
3 fusible links should be there.
has nothing to do with the A/C. it had to do with emissions control.
I'm drawing a blank on that one. it may do you some good to download the FSM and wiring manuals. those are free. I would also recommend getting a Haynes manual as well though. I think those are like $20 now.
there was a manual steering and power steering offered on the S3 cars. which do you have. the manual steering has an adjustment on it. I never had a power steering car for myself, so I don't know if they do as well. Either of the manuals should let you what can and can't be done though.
The rats nest elimination looks handy, especially since this will be mostly a summer-only weekend car. Sadly my buddy (co-owner) likes AC, is there a way to simply cleanl up the rats nest, and/or eliminate half of it but keep something like an AC? What all does a rats nest do specifically? sometimes I end up more confused after reading 6 threads about them.
What are the white and black wires under my center armrest next to my e-brake? that are looped to each other.
Was there a better stock steering system from a GSL or SE I can swap in? Or am I better off just cleaning up the slop in my steering.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
Welcome to the board, Matt.
3 fusible links should be there.
has nothing to do with the A/C. it had to do with emissions control.
I'm drawing a blank on that one. it may do you some good to download the FSM and wiring manuals. those are free. I would also recommend getting a Haynes manual as well though. I think those are like $20 now.
there was a manual steering and power steering offered on the S3 cars. which do you have. the manual steering has an adjustment on it. I never had a power steering car for myself, so I don't know if they do as well. Either of the manuals should let you what can and can't be done though.
3 fusible links should be there.
has nothing to do with the A/C. it had to do with emissions control.
I'm drawing a blank on that one. it may do you some good to download the FSM and wiring manuals. those are free. I would also recommend getting a Haynes manual as well though. I think those are like $20 now.
there was a manual steering and power steering offered on the S3 cars. which do you have. the manual steering has an adjustment on it. I never had a power steering car for myself, so I don't know if they do as well. Either of the manuals should let you what can and can't be done though.
We have an s3 if I'm not mistaken, it's from 1984.. Manual steering now, going to adjust it soon and see how it cleans up.
Thanks
You're not mistaken. That's why I said what I said. 
As for the steering, please keep in mind that you may never get it perfect even after adjusting it. If the "slop" you refer to is the way it sometimes feels like it's not reacting to small or initial inputs, then I hate to say it, but it's kinda normal for THESE cars. That said, you may have a problem, so do your due diligence in at least finding out where you stand with yours. If you happen to be comparing it to some other vehicle though, then all I can say is ... don't. Even when they feel great, I have never experienced one of these cars with a steering that feels as good as a rack/pinion-type.
Also, if you can throw up a phot of the wire you mentioned it may jog my memory or someone else may be able to answer your question.
As for the steering, please keep in mind that you may never get it perfect even after adjusting it. If the "slop" you refer to is the way it sometimes feels like it's not reacting to small or initial inputs, then I hate to say it, but it's kinda normal for THESE cars. That said, you may have a problem, so do your due diligence in at least finding out where you stand with yours. If you happen to be comparing it to some other vehicle though, then all I can say is ... don't. Even when they feel great, I have never experienced one of these cars with a steering that feels as good as a rack/pinion-type.
Also, if you can throw up a phot of the wire you mentioned it may jog my memory or someone else may be able to answer your question.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
You're not mistaken. That's why I said what I said.
As for the steering, please keep in mind that you may never get it perfect even after adjusting it. If the "slop" you refer to is the way it sometimes feels like it's not reacting to small or initial inputs, then I hate to say it, but it's kinda normal for THESE cars. That said, you may have a problem, so do your due diligence in at least finding out where you stand with yours. If you happen to be comparing it to some other vehicle though, then all I can say is ... don't. Even when they feel great, I have never experienced one of these cars with a steering that feels as good as a rack/pinion-type.
Also, if you can throw up a phot of the wire you mentioned it may jog my memory or someone else may be able to answer your question.
As for the steering, please keep in mind that you may never get it perfect even after adjusting it. If the "slop" you refer to is the way it sometimes feels like it's not reacting to small or initial inputs, then I hate to say it, but it's kinda normal for THESE cars. That said, you may have a problem, so do your due diligence in at least finding out where you stand with yours. If you happen to be comparing it to some other vehicle though, then all I can say is ... don't. Even when they feel great, I have never experienced one of these cars with a steering that feels as good as a rack/pinion-type.
Also, if you can throw up a phot of the wire you mentioned it may jog my memory or someone else may be able to answer your question.
As for the steering, i;m not looking for perfect by any means, and it is very reactive when steering, my issu is the close to 15 degree dead spot when going straight. it's huge, it has to go from like 11 - 1 on the wheel before you get to where it grabs.
Welcome! The white and black connectors under the center console are for the Clarion ETR sound system's joystick. Mazda wired all of the 84-85's to accept any sound system without the addition of wiring.
Leave the rats net in place. We've done studies on this and it adds no power when removed and the car gets worse mileage. The white connector on the emission's rack is for the a.c. Leave the rack in place if you want a.c.
Leave the rats net in place. We've done studies on this and it adds no power when removed and the car gets worse mileage. The white connector on the emission's rack is for the a.c. Leave the rack in place if you want a.c.