drivers side instrument panel installation
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,134
Likes: 4,206
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi b,
Ken 74's harness may go over the top of the speedo and tach but your 69 harness doesn't.
Are you sure you're working a 69 harness?
69 v's picture shows the proper routing… LOW. You can even see the slight 'hump' in it where it passes over the column.
Regards,
Alan
This is the HIGH route… the 69 harness can't do it.
Ken 74's harness may go over the top of the speedo and tach but your 69 harness doesn't.
Are you sure you're working a 69 harness?
69 v's picture shows the proper routing… LOW. You can even see the slight 'hump' in it where it passes over the column.
Regards,
Alan
This is the HIGH route… the 69 harness can't do it.
Last edited by Alan 71; Dec 16, 2015 at 12:45 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 270
Likes: 10
From: Macon Georgia
ballen06 - the harness lays just on top of the column and in front of (from the driver's perspective) the rusting cast iron chunk (part no. 3945325 in the AIM) shown in your pic. This will position it below the speedo & tach drive cables. As Alan said, there is not enough slack for it to fit elsewhere. If memory serves me correctly, I tried to route it higher (above the speedo/tach) but several of the dash light sockets pulled out.
Tom69 - I believe the black & white wires connect to the driver's side door jam switch. The white wire controls the courtesy lights; the black wire controls the key warning circuit. When the door is opened, the jam switch takes both to ground. If the broken black wire should go to ground, the buzzer would sound with the key in the ignition as if the door were open. However, if you were getting the buzzer with the key out, you may have a bad key warning switch (or other problems).
Tom69 - I believe the black & white wires connect to the driver's side door jam switch. The white wire controls the courtesy lights; the black wire controls the key warning circuit. When the door is opened, the jam switch takes both to ground. If the broken black wire should go to ground, the buzzer would sound with the key in the ignition as if the door were open. However, if you were getting the buzzer with the key out, you may have a bad key warning switch (or other problems).
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 523
Likes: 249
From: SC
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
ballen06 - the harness lays just on top of the column and in front of (from the driver's perspective) the rusting cast iron chunk (part no. 3945325 in the AIM) shown in your pic. This will position it below the speedo & tach drive cables. As Alan said, there is not enough slack for it to fit elsewhere. If memory serves me correctly, I tried to route it higher (above the speedo/tach) but several of the dash light sockets pulled out.
Tom69 - I believe the black & white wires connect to the driver's side door jam switch. The white wire controls the courtesy lights; the black wire controls the key warning circuit. When the door is opened, the jam switch takes both to ground. If the broken black wire should go to ground, the buzzer would sound with the key in the ignition as if the door were open. However, if you were getting the buzzer with the key out, you may have a bad key warning switch (or other problems).
Tom69 - I believe the black & white wires connect to the driver's side door jam switch. The white wire controls the courtesy lights; the black wire controls the key warning circuit. When the door is opened, the jam switch takes both to ground. If the broken black wire should go to ground, the buzzer would sound with the key in the ignition as if the door were open. However, if you were getting the buzzer with the key out, you may have a bad key warning switch (or other problems).
Regards,
Tom
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
I have worked on many 1969's and the last one the wiring DID NOT go on top of the speedo/tach. It was routed UNDER it. I remember this very clearly....because I know that later years do route the wire harness on top of the speedo/tach and the wire harness straps that bend to hold it in place were not there....like later years.
If you look closely at post #8...at the 1 or 2 o'clock position on the backside the speedo and tach....you can sees strap that is holding the wiring harness to the speedo and tach.
In the later drawing...there is NO straps shown.
ALSO....the length of wires coming out of the harness for your headlight switch can also be a dead give-away. IF they are long....then the harness goes under the gauges.
DUB
If you look closely at post #8...at the 1 or 2 o'clock position on the backside the speedo and tach....you can sees strap that is holding the wiring harness to the speedo and tach.
In the later drawing...there is NO straps shown.
ALSO....the length of wires coming out of the harness for your headlight switch can also be a dead give-away. IF they are long....then the harness goes under the gauges.
DUB
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 689
Likes: 169
From: Palm Bay Florida
After reading these posts I am REALLY not looking forward to installing my new speedo and tach. I have had the center and right dash off several times and was planning on just lowering the steering column on my 68 to do the installation. Now I think I may need to keep the bottle of Jack Daniels close at hand during the installation.
in celebration of a difficult job well done.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 689
Likes: 169
From: Palm Bay Florida
Hi b,
Ken 74's harness may go over the top of the speedo and tach but your 69 harness doesn't.
Are you sure you're working a 69 harness?
69 v's picture shows the proper routing… LOW. You can even see the slight 'hump' in it where it passes over the column.
Regards,
Alan
This is the HIGH route… the 69 harness can't do it.
Ken 74's harness may go over the top of the speedo and tach but your 69 harness doesn't.
Are you sure you're working a 69 harness?
69 v's picture shows the proper routing… LOW. You can even see the slight 'hump' in it where it passes over the column.
Regards,
Alan
This is the HIGH route… the 69 harness can't do it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 689
Likes: 169
From: Palm Bay Florida
I have worked on many 1969's and the last one the wiring DID NOT go on top of the speedo/tach. It was routed UNDER it. I remember this very clearly....because I know that later years do route the wire harness on top of the speedo/tach and the wire harness straps that bend to hold it in place were not there....like later years.
If you look closely at post #8...at the 1 or 2 o'clock position on the backside the speedo and tach....you can sees strap that is holding the wiring harness to the speedo and tach.
In the later drawing...there is NO straps shown.
ALSO....the length of wires coming out of the harness for your headlight switch can also be a dead give-away. IF they are long....then the harness goes under the gauges.
DUB
If you look closely at post #8...at the 1 or 2 o'clock position on the backside the speedo and tach....you can sees strap that is holding the wiring harness to the speedo and tach.
In the later drawing...there is NO straps shown.
ALSO....the length of wires coming out of the harness for your headlight switch can also be a dead give-away. IF they are long....then the harness goes under the gauges.
DUB
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 689
Likes: 169
From: Palm Bay Florida
Hi b,
Ken 74's harness may go over the top of the speedo and tach but your 69 harness doesn't.
Are you sure you're working a 69 harness?
69 v's picture shows the proper routing… LOW. You can even see the slight 'hump' in it where it passes over the column.
Regards,
Alan
This is the HIGH route… the 69 harness can't do it.
Ken 74's harness may go over the top of the speedo and tach but your 69 harness doesn't.
Are you sure you're working a 69 harness?
69 v's picture shows the proper routing… LOW. You can even see the slight 'hump' in it where it passes over the column.
Regards,
Alan
This is the HIGH route… the 69 harness can't do it.
Why can't I route my harness above the speedo and tach bezels? The dash harness is the same for all c3's .. if I believe the vendor advertisements. They are all for years 68 through 84.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,134
Likes: 4,206
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi b,
I'm not certain what source you were looking at but I'm sure not ALL 68-84 (?) dash harnesses are the same.
I looked at 4 sources including Lectric Limited and each list a different part # for the dash harness for each year.
Regards,
Alan
I'm not certain what source you were looking at but I'm sure not ALL 68-84 (?) dash harnesses are the same.
I looked at 4 sources including Lectric Limited and each list a different part # for the dash harness for each year.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 689
Likes: 169
From: Palm Bay Florida
OH! You are right. I didn't look deep enough... they have a general advertisement which states 68 to 84 then you get on their site and it is different for each year. Wow .. that's an expensive harness.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 6
Found this old thread which describes the difficulty I am having with the lower dash install.
I have a new wire loom which is very stiff. New lower and upper dash pads as well.
Was thinking about opening up the wire loom ‘trunk’ a bit (remove some of the tape) so the wires are more flexible.
Has anyone tried that? Maybe make it more pliable and give wires, bulbs, a bit more reach?
plus, I put the upper dash pad on first as I know that’s how the lower dash attaches. But in doing so I lost as little room to work back there .
Is doing the lower dash install with the upper dash pad already installed is that the correct order?
this is on a ‘69 vert w/out ac.
any help appreciated
I have a new wire loom which is very stiff. New lower and upper dash pads as well.
Was thinking about opening up the wire loom ‘trunk’ a bit (remove some of the tape) so the wires are more flexible.
Has anyone tried that? Maybe make it more pliable and give wires, bulbs, a bit more reach?
plus, I put the upper dash pad on first as I know that’s how the lower dash attaches. But in doing so I lost as little room to work back there .
Is doing the lower dash install with the upper dash pad already installed is that the correct order?
this is on a ‘69 vert w/out ac.
any help appreciated
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,663
Likes: 1,359
If you are willing to modify the harness then all kinds of things are possible. I've done several stages of mods.
1 One of the first things I did was lengthen all the leads to instrument panel lamps so I could plug them in and THEN place the dash in place.
2. I then installed 2 separate connectors, 1 for the the speedo side leads, and another for the tach side leads.... this allowed me to install the components, and then place the dash in it's location, and then plug the harness sides in.
3. I then went to LED strip lighting for the illumination lamps--- so that meant pretty much 1 lead to each side for illumination, plus the others for blinkers, brake light, etc...... still now less leads and still at long length.
I now have the harness on my 68 way up high and tye-wrapped above everthing else in there. Much easier to play with. So, the question is: How much are you willing to modify?
1 One of the first things I did was lengthen all the leads to instrument panel lamps so I could plug them in and THEN place the dash in place.
2. I then installed 2 separate connectors, 1 for the the speedo side leads, and another for the tach side leads.... this allowed me to install the components, and then place the dash in it's location, and then plug the harness sides in.
3. I then went to LED strip lighting for the illumination lamps--- so that meant pretty much 1 lead to each side for illumination, plus the others for blinkers, brake light, etc...... still now less leads and still at long length.
I now have the harness on my 68 way up high and tye-wrapped above everthing else in there. Much easier to play with. So, the question is: How much are you willing to modify?
Last edited by carriljc; Jan 30, 2021 at 08:41 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,952
Likes: 6,189
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Found this old thread which describes the difficulty I am having with the lower dash install.
I have a new wire loom which is very stiff. New lower and upper dash pads as well.
Was thinking about opening up the wire loom ‘trunk’ a bit (remove some of the tape) so the wires are more flexible.
Has anyone tried that? Maybe make it more pliable and give wires, bulbs, a bit more reach?
plus, I put the upper dash pad on first as I know that’s how the lower dash attaches. But in doing so I lost as little room to work back there .
Is doing the lower dash install with the upper dash pad already installed is that the correct order?
this is on a ‘69 vert w/out ac.
any help appreciated
I have a new wire loom which is very stiff. New lower and upper dash pads as well.
Was thinking about opening up the wire loom ‘trunk’ a bit (remove some of the tape) so the wires are more flexible.
Has anyone tried that? Maybe make it more pliable and give wires, bulbs, a bit more reach?
plus, I put the upper dash pad on first as I know that’s how the lower dash attaches. But in doing so I lost as little room to work back there .
Is doing the lower dash install with the upper dash pad already installed is that the correct order?
this is on a ‘69 vert w/out ac.
any help appreciated
Its time to start a new thread. Rather than adding your question to a 6 year old thread a new thread will allow people to address your question, which is not the same topic as the old thread.