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Looking to replace the fiber optic system in my 68 convert. I see Lectric
limited sells both the full harnesses as well as the fiber optics only harnesses. I don’t know my car well enough to say it needs the entire harnesses, but was wondering the consensus on replacing the entire harnesses vs the amount of effort to run just the fiber optic harnesses along side the current harnesses.
Thanks for the reply’s, to get all exposed will require tearing down the entire dash to get to the fuse box connections? How difficult is it to run those lines from the dash to head lights and tail lights?
Thanks for the reply’s, to get all exposed will require tearing down the entire dash to get to the fuse box connections? How difficult is it to run those lines from the dash to head lights and tail lights?
no fiber optics do not go through the fuse box. No electricity.
Have you checked all the ends where they plug into the lights ? Rubber Grommets hold the ends. In place
I haven’t checked the fiber optics end yet, was just looking ahead for replacement options and was curious about the work required for each. When I saw the optic only replacement option I figured it would be easier as it didn’t require removing the entire harness that included other electrical components that I assumed Involved the fuse box. I’ll check those fiber optic ends and rubber grommet attachments before buying either the optics or full harness package.
I haven’t checked the fiber optics end yet, was just looking ahead for replacement options and was curious about the work required for each. When I saw the optic only replacement option I figured it would be easier as it didn’t require removing the entire harness that included other electrical components that I assumed Involved the fuse box. I’ll check those fiber optic ends and rubber grommet attachments before buying either the optics or full harness package.
It is basically fishing line encased in plastic that transmits light from the bulb to your console.
You can shine a flash light in the end and it will light up the other end if it is unbroken and attached at both ends.
Grommets at the lights and plugged into the lens on the console on the interior.
It is really a cool system to tell of your running lights brake lights, tag light and turn signals are working.
Yes it is independent of the electrical system
but when you buy the full tail light harness and the head light harness it is bundled with them
But I’m sure you can order the fiber optics separate
Usually it is just the cable ends that are pulled out or the rubber ends that are missing and the wire may be dangling. The hole on the back of your turn signal is big enough to fit the tip of your little finger into.
This is one the front ones that fit into the turn signals.
The ones for the rear lights are different. The line should have a male rubber piece that fits into this female that fits or secures it into the light housing.
Thanks for the pictures and reply’s. It’s great to have experts within easy reach. Lectric Limited does sell a optics only harness for both the front and back lights for about half the cost of the full harness. Has anyone used these optics only harnesses and were they trouble to install?
I will verify the current optics cleanliness and seal before buying.
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I installed the front harness with the fiber optics. Its alot easier that way and nicley rapped. My rear harness was fine but the rear optics lines were cut so I bought the rear only optics. Instead of unwrapping the originals I just trimmed them back and layed the optics line next to the original and ran it out the back. You need to pull the drivers seat, the carpet needs to be rolled forward, and the quarter trim needs to be removed as it runs behind it. Then the rear carpet and maybe the shoulder belt retractor to get the rear carpet put of the way. My rubber grommet was a full donut so I cut a slice from the center out on oine side so i could add the fiber optics into it. Its easy just time consuming, thats why the "while I'm in here" -itis contagious and happens to so many of us. Its niceto do so you dont have to pull it apart again for the next project. The dash panels leads to this malady alot.
Thanks for the info. Once I take a look at the systems from the console to the front/back i will know better what type of harness I need. I have the seats, front carpets and brake console out as they need repair. Plan on pulling out the shifter console to work on the vent pulls as they are tight. Will I need to take out the gauge bezel and dash pads to install either the full or optics only harnesses?
If you change the forward lamp harness, (electric side) with the fiber optics, and the same with the rear, you won't need to pull the dash apart. Both the electric sides plug into the fuse box- forward lamp under the master cylinder and the rear plugs into a pigtail on top of the fuse block. As others have stated, the fiber optics break out of the electric harness and pretty much run thru different holes in the firewall from the front and the rear runs across behind the drivers' seat.
If you see any light getting to the display panels, your FO lines are fine. If the light is dim, the ends of the FO at the bulb sockets need cleaning and/or polishing. Also, those FO fitting into colored plastic ends (at the bulb sockets) may need to have those plastic pieces cleaned/polished, as well.
The [stranded glass] FO cables just transmit light from the actual lamp bulbs to the display panels. No electricity, no electrons....just LIGHT. If the pieces in the system are dirty and unpolished, it will reduce the amount of light that can be sent to the displays.
Thanks for the light transmission insight. Can I conclude if any degree of light comes thru to the console the fiber optic cable is okay, just needs cleaned/polished? What would you use to polish the ends?
Unless the actual end face of a light fiber bundle gets damaged, I wouldn't even mess with it. Too much potential to damage it. Most of the "lost light" is likely due to low reflectivity on the inside of the lamp housing, dull plastic piece on the FO end, spray paint (from old repair) on that plastic piece, etc, etc.
Your first order of business is to locate and examine all of the 'light input' ends of the FO cables; that will show you a lot about what is causing loss of light transmission. As I stated in my prior post (and you re-stated it), if light is getting to the display panel lenses, the FO cables are probably fine. It's the ends of the cables and the transparent plastic pieces that get placed on them that turn dull and dingy which cause most of the problems.
...Can I conclude if any degree of light comes thru to the console the fiber optic cable is okay...
Yes. If you have light at the FO positions inside the car, the cables are okay. If the light value is dim/poor, the console lenses and positions on each light should be inspected\cleaned.
Fiber optics
