wiring harness
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Crestview Fl
wiring harness
I finally got my guages back, installed in the newly painted cluster, along with installing the Deluxe Lectric Limited wiring harness. An additional fuse for the Amp (black) wire is installed along with a fuse for the cigarette lighter. I checked everything twice and it looks Ok according to the DocRebuild schematic.
Anyone have a suggestion concerning putting power to the car i.e. place one fuse in at a time or anything else.
There are alot of crazy stories out there with guys installing a new wiring harness and burning wires up. If I can head off a potential problem let me know.
Thanks
Rog
Anyone have a suggestion concerning putting power to the car i.e. place one fuse in at a time or anything else.
There are alot of crazy stories out there with guys installing a new wiring harness and burning wires up. If I can head off a potential problem let me know.
Thanks
Rog
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
- Put the fuses in
- Ensure no wires are loose and no hot wires are touching ground
- Connect the battery
- Start verifying circuits are working
The fuses will blow if you've got something hooked up wrong, although the wiring from the ignition switch to the starter is unfused and WILL start smoking if you have a short in that circuit (says the man who had that experience).
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Personally I would put the fuses in one-at-a-time while watching for smoke or overheated wiring...verifying correct operation of the related circuit as I go...
Oh I should have added.....step 1 SHOULD be:
1) Have a Halitron fire extinguisher close at hand!
Oh I should have added.....step 1 SHOULD be:
1) Have a Halitron fire extinguisher close at hand!
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jan 8, 2012 at 06:37 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Here is my somewhat cynical response. Whatever you do don't even think about checking the continuity of the individual circuits before you install the harness in the car. You know, apply power to the fuse box with a trickle charger and check the wire on the other end for power. If you discover a bad circuit that way (and most likely with a new harness you will NOT) you can correct it on the bench.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Here is my somewhat cynical response. Whatever you do don't even think about checking the continuity of the individual circuits before you install the harness in the car. You know, apply power to the fuse box with a trickle charger and check the wire on the other end for power. If you discover a bad circuit that way (and most likely with a new harness you will NOT) you can correct it on the bench.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Yes, I read that part. As I said my response was somewhat cynical. A continuity check could still be performed prior to applying battery power. Just more difficult maneuvering around with the harness already installed.
For anyone else who might be considering a rewire with a factory style replacement or non factory replacement, like a Painless or other manufacture you might consider laying out your circuits and testing it all out prior to installation in the vehicle.
For anyone else who might be considering a rewire with a factory style replacement or non factory replacement, like a Painless or other manufacture you might consider laying out your circuits and testing it all out prior to installation in the vehicle.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,215
Likes: 447
From: NJ Hockey beer league
Don't overthink this. Good results come from a patient and carefull install. Connect everything and verify the proper connections and wire routing. Connect battery, if all is well try headlamps, brakes, ect... then proceed to key on tests, followed by a start up in that order. I've done a few, just don't mix up the black and brown wires (Midyear black is ground to cluster) as that will create a dead short. The problems that usually result from a rewire come from poorly routed wires that cause problems down the road. 
Pilot Dan
Pilot Dan
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Crestview Fl
Dan, that's my plan. We will see what happens.
By the way the difference between Lectric Limited and M&H is M&H claim to bench check every harness they make prior to going out. Just something to think about.
By the way the difference between Lectric Limited and M&H is M&H claim to bench check every harness they make prior to going out. Just something to think about.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Hmmm, in 2006 Lectric Limited personally told me the same about their harnesses, although when it arrived several plastic connectors had fallen off of their associated terminals.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,215
Likes: 447
From: NJ Hockey beer league
Easily avoided
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,368
Likes: 874
From: Norcal CA
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
Roger, on a C1 the most important thing is to make sure the wires are PROPERLY supported with the proper clips. Here's what happened to one poor unfortunate owner of a 60 whose mechanic ignored the wiper cables which contacted the Red wire and resulted in a major fire :
Easily avoided
Easily avoided
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,368
Likes: 874
From: Norcal CA
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
The AIM is not really clear. More interested how the wires go from the cluster to the console. Do I put the wires inside through the cowl vent hinge or underneath it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 32
From: Sarasota Florida
Hello
I am installing new wiring harness myself. Before I did anything I read the shop manual and looked at the AIM book this will help you put wires back correctly. My original harness was a mess (melted at fuse box some time in the past) wires cut for no reason missing clips and other items I had no idea existed until looking at pictures and of course using most valueable reasource this forum!
Good luck
I am installing new wiring harness myself. Before I did anything I read the shop manual and looked at the AIM book this will help you put wires back correctly. My original harness was a mess (melted at fuse box some time in the past) wires cut for no reason missing clips and other items I had no idea existed until looking at pictures and of course using most valueable reasource this forum!
Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,215
Likes: 447
From: NJ Hockey beer league
Here's a photo I just snapped of my Harness install showing the proper clips. Notice how the wiring is nowhere near the Wiper Cables or anything else that moves.
In addition, you can use a couple of small well placed zip ties for added security which is what I did.
Pilot Dan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Crestview Fl
Thanks gang. I took a little of everyone's advise.
I finished the wiring yesterday including the restoration of all my gauges and cluster. Everything worked this morning. It shocked me. I did a bunch of wiring with Painless and Easy wiring on hotrods and always had a problem or two. The Lectric Limited replacement Deluxe wiring harness was a little more complicated due to trying to keep everything looking original; but with everyones help things went great. All the advise on fuses and things to look out for cut the learning curve in half and save alot of time, not to mention limiting buring wirings.
I am still in shock that everything worked without a hitch and the car started right up.
I have not drove the car yet and will tomorrow. Hopefully the wiring will work fine on a short run.
By the way I made sure the windshield wiper cables were not in contact with anything. That could have been a big issue (chain saw effect).
Just want to say one more time (Thanks to Everyone). You guys saved me a bunch of time!!!!
Rog
I finished the wiring yesterday including the restoration of all my gauges and cluster. Everything worked this morning. It shocked me. I did a bunch of wiring with Painless and Easy wiring on hotrods and always had a problem or two. The Lectric Limited replacement Deluxe wiring harness was a little more complicated due to trying to keep everything looking original; but with everyones help things went great. All the advise on fuses and things to look out for cut the learning curve in half and save alot of time, not to mention limiting buring wirings.
I am still in shock that everything worked without a hitch and the car started right up.
I have not drove the car yet and will tomorrow. Hopefully the wiring will work fine on a short run.
By the way I made sure the windshield wiper cables were not in contact with anything. That could have been a big issue (chain saw effect).
Just want to say one more time (Thanks to Everyone). You guys saved me a bunch of time!!!!
Rog
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas