On the Electrical System, that is.
There are several wiring harnesses in the engine compartment, The "Main" one starts at the battery, connects to a group of wires that feed the driver's side of the car, and travels across the underside of the top of the radiator support, connecting to the alternator, and another harness that feeds the passenger's side of the car.
The next harness also runs along the same path, but handles low current switching for lighting and the horns.
The third harness runs from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to the engine and is the "electronic" part of the wiring, as opposed to just a bunch of DC circuits.
This is what it looked like after I pulled it from the car.
And this is it after cleaning.
Each wire was cleaned and inspected. Several lengths had to be replaced due to brittle, cracked insulation. Each connector was cleaned, inspected, and it's O-ring replaced. Then I installed it, along with the lighting harness, back from whence it came.
And I cleaned, inspected, and rewrapped the "Stub Harness" coming out of each fender.
This is the next one I'm working on. It runs from the ECU (Engine Control Unit) to the sensors, injectors, and ignition system.
It's a mess. More tedious cleaning, repairing, and putting new connector housings on.
And I was able to get the front anti-roll bar and brackets back on the car. The two rods are the "Lateral Locating Links" (aka Strut rod bars) for the front suspension
More to come, when I get a round tuit, which have been in short supply lately.
Keep them heads swivelin', and always check your six.
So, will you soon be available to hire out?
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't afford me.....!
DeleteI never understood how fracked up wiring on even simple cars was until I watched Project Binky and the, what, 10 episodes on wiring and electrical stuff?
ReplyDeleteYou're a better man than me.
Thanks, Beans! I grew up wiring things and building things, and all that I've learned is being used to get this part of the project finished. It's a mess peeling off layers of 40 year old electrical tape, cleaning the wires and connectors, and replacing wires and connectors as needed.
DeleteWhile no restoration is ever complete, soon you will be terrorizing the Foothill's back roads.
ReplyDeleteI hope to have it running again by Fall, and back on the road nest Spring, depending on what the weather does over the next Winter. If it's warm and dry like this past Winter, it'll be rolling along. Otherwise, the weather's gonna do what weather does, and I'll adjust the schedule to suit.
DeleteFor a lot of people, including many mechanics, wiring is a deal breaker. They will dump the vehicle rather than dealing with it.
ReplyDeleteYeah, there's a lot of 'mystery' among many mechanics when dealing with wiring. I've been scratch-building radio equipment since the 1960's, so while this is different, the basic principles are the same.
DeleteGlad to see your hard work coming together, finally!
ReplyDeleteThanks, NFO. It's been a slog, but I think I might see some light in the tunnel.
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