1971 Electrical Gremlins
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 12
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1971 Electrical Gremlins
I know there are many posts on this subject but I cant find anything specific to what I have encountered.
I bought my 71' several years ago. it was not running at the time and slowly but surely I have been able to bring her back to life. My latest big issue is that my dash wiring harness fried. I don't know for sure but I don't think it was in as bad a condition as it is now. As I dug into the dash (removing it) I just kept going and removed the old harness completely. I had fried wires from the section over the Tach (appears that the wires covers rubbed off on the metal tach casing) all the way down to the fuse box. I recently replaced the alternator which was not working and I was wondering if that change could have restored the proper volt/amps to the car and the old wiring just couldn't take the load?
I have never don't this job and I am sure its going to be a PIA to get everything back together. I just don't want to install a new harness and have it get fried as well due to other issues.
any thoughts or feedback would be great! thank you.
I bought my 71' several years ago. it was not running at the time and slowly but surely I have been able to bring her back to life. My latest big issue is that my dash wiring harness fried. I don't know for sure but I don't think it was in as bad a condition as it is now. As I dug into the dash (removing it) I just kept going and removed the old harness completely. I had fried wires from the section over the Tach (appears that the wires covers rubbed off on the metal tach casing) all the way down to the fuse box. I recently replaced the alternator which was not working and I was wondering if that change could have restored the proper volt/amps to the car and the old wiring just couldn't take the load?
I have never don't this job and I am sure its going to be a PIA to get everything back together. I just don't want to install a new harness and have it get fried as well due to other issues.
any thoughts or feedback would be great! thank you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Replace the harness and install it according to the AIM. That original harness lasted 44 years and who knows how many miles before it shorted.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 12
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thanks for the feedback!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 156
From: Clayton New Jersey
I recently replaced the interior harness in my 71. The harness burned due to an issue with the amp meter. I would replace the amp meter too. I also did the engine harness and power window harness. Its really not hard just time consuming.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
In most cases trying to fix the old harness will not be worth the cost and security of having a new one. On customers cars in our shop we never repair them, the cost would be more to our customer than the cost to replace.
I fixed the code for you the other day too..
Dash Main Harness 1971
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs..._year=21&q=vma
Willcox
I fixed the code for you the other day too..
Dash Main Harness 1971
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs..._year=21&q=vma
Willcox
