Wire Harness Burned
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: SAN DIEGO CA
Wire Harness Burned
My 86L Vette caught on fire right next to the battery. The little ground cable that comes off the main negative terminal must of somehow shorted out. It burned a hole through the battery and caught the Large wire harness that goes through the firewall on fire. It was minor damage because a neighbor was watering his lawn so I put it out with that. I'm trying to repair that large harness but I can't seem to get it unplugged from the fire wall. It's actually two harness's. One on top of the other. They are the only two harness's that are right below and to the left of the battery if your looking at it from the drivers side. Does anyone know how to unplug these so I can repair some of the wires? I dont want to pull so hard as to damage the wire anymore. Im assuming the outside harness in plugging into the harness thats inside the car. Any help would be appreciated. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
You won't like what I am going to tell you next:
You should invest in a nice, used, harness. Expect it to cost about $500.00...
Alas, there is no easy way to fix this.
You will have to remove the entire dash. The engine harness makes its way into the dash and goes to parts of the IP. It's a freaking mess.
This is not going to be easy... and you should budget several hours/days to this repair. Don't just try and patch the harness. It will be nearly impossible.
You will have to get a Helms manual. That is without exception.
You should invest in a nice, used, harness. Expect it to cost about $500.00...
Alas, there is no easy way to fix this.
You will have to remove the entire dash. The engine harness makes its way into the dash and goes to parts of the IP. It's a freaking mess.
This is not going to be easy... and you should budget several hours/days to this repair. Don't just try and patch the harness. It will be nearly impossible.
You will have to get a Helms manual. That is without exception.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
"The top bulkhead connector comes from the forward lamp harness wire. The bottom connector comes from the engine harness wire. The connectors are snapped together then attached to the fire wall with one center quarter inch headed bolt." The bolt won't fall out because it has an attaching lock ring to prevent this.On cars with automatics the connectors can be removed by using a 1/4 inch universal socket on a twelve inch extension handle. On sticks you need to remove the battery because the clutch cyclinder is in the way.Quote from Gordon Killebrew.
Hopefully it didn't get so ho it fused together.If you get lucky-hope you do, when you reattach it to the bulkhead seal the top and sides to prevent moisture from getting in-same source. Good luck.
Hopefully it didn't get so ho it fused together.If you get lucky-hope you do, when you reattach it to the bulkhead seal the top and sides to prevent moisture from getting in-same source. Good luck.
