Ken's Engine Project... Part II - 2003

[69MyWay]

Ken,

Just get a Painless generic 18 or 21 circuit wire harness and start from scratch. The only thing I can think of that will get tricky is the headlight actuators and module, but I can walk you through that over the phone. This way you won't have any dead stubbed out wires under the dash that could eventually cause a nasty fire.

This will slow you down a bit, but be well worth it!

I ran a 18 circuit in my 69 and married it to the EFI harness with no problem.

 

[vigman]

Ken you will need SOME of the orig wiring

Do you have the manual A/C?( If I remember correctly you do)

What are the DIC panel plans.. gone with the wind?

Check engine light?
ALDL ( or equiv on your new computer )
E brake warning?
ABS warning & Lock?
Charge indicator ( or are you just going with the volt meter?)
Low Coolant?
Hatch Ajar?
Door open?
Saftey belt?
Chick Detector?

Just things to consider.....

I have to DIS AGREE with Chris on one point. A stock wiring harness will NOT go up in smoke by it self.. that's why fusible links were installed. 95% of Vette electrical fires came from broken equipment not repaired correctly / poor installation of stuff/ or accident related issues.

But to add to Chris's arguement,
If you do use the old wiring harness ( or portions of it) you MUST make the effort to cap off/insulate/ and tuck back the wires you are NOT using.

This is typically NOT done...

To long screws are put in the WRONG holes.. chafeing the harness and POOF ..fire in the hole!

In addition the "installers" do a HACK job ( as evident in Kens wiring ) so there is your fire potential.

My 5 amps of current!

Vig~

 

[-=Jeff=-]

HEY KEN

I have the answer.. bring the car to me!! I will help

 

[Ken]

The TEC3 GPO capabilities...

As a bit of enlightenment here, check out Electromotive's instruction book beginning on page 107. You'll need Acrobat to see it but it's available at their site.

It'll explain all there is to know about what functions it will be able to serve. I agree that I should stick with this harness for all of the other controls such as headlamps, cornering lights, taillights, horns, etc., and I also concur that there should be no wire left untaped or unexplained.

_ken

 

[Ken]

Re: HEY KEN

I have the answer.. bring the car to me!! I will help

:L You have no idea how many times I wished I was either in Illinois with you or Florida with Chris.

_ken

 

[-=Jeff=-]

did that Excel Spreadsheet I sent you help at all?

 

[Ken]

Let's see now, how can I be delicate about this... :L

Seriously Jeff, I haven't really done much with it yet except to scan it briefly. I plan on using it when I get really stumped, if I can figure it out. Is there a reason there is a page break after the 700 computers and before the other one? (I can't remember the numbers now and the books are at the shop, which is where I should be!)

_ken

 

[-=Jeff=-]

page break?

not sure what you are referring to

:confused

 

[Ken]

The page break is where the page "breaks" of course! I left the spreadsheet at the shop again so I can't tell you where it is, but I think it is right after the second 700-numbered computer column, before the last computer. I forget the numbers of the computers, you guys never taught me that. :L

What do the three different numbers you had on that sheet designate Jeff? You had two 700-series computers and the other one. :confused

Here's what I tore into today:

Slowly but surely, I am working my way through it.

_ken

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Ken,

LOL, I am not sure, I always printed it out to fit the one page.

The ECM info you will not need honestly, it is just for the Stock GM ECMs..

165 ECM was stock in your 87
730 ECM is the one you had in there for Speed Density
727 ECM is the underhood version of the 730

The pages you will need the most are the C100, IP to rear harness, and the connectors tabs.

the ECM page is for people converting to another stock ECM

 

[Ken]

The pages you will need the most are the C100, IP to rear harness, and the connectors tabs.

Yeah, I figured that out. There are a few wires from the rear body harness but not that difficult to trace. Thanks Jeff.

_ken

 

[Vettelt193]

My heart stopped for a second when I saw those interior wire pictures.... I am actually glad that I have never been into the dash that deep now. Ken (and Jeff) , you have more guts than I do, good luck with everything!!

 

[Ken]

Sometimes, when ya want something bad enough, you just do whatcha gotta do!

_ken

 

[bill mcdonald]

Sometimes, when ya want something bad enough, you just do whatcha gotta do!

_ken

Your not even a little worried?
Those wires, OMG!

 

[Ken]

Your not even a little worried?
Those wires, OMG!

Nah, piece o' cake!

_ken

 

[Ken]

Thanks Motor Head (SpanishVettes)!

Originally posted by SPANISHVETTES
It always came out cheaper and quicker to rip out the old wiring and build a new harness from scratch. It also made servicing our installation easier.

_ken :J

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

500 ataboy points for Ken.

Be sure to make a schematic of the new harness you build and keep it with the car.

When you get to be my age the memory likes to go on holiday. ¨Now lets see did the yellow/brown wire goes to¨ Puff, sizzle, crack, ¨Oh no, it went to chaise ground.¨

If I said that never happened I would be instantly enshrined in the liar’s hall of fame.

Good luck

 

[Rowdy1]

"Memories"

The picture of the wires all laying on the floor is dear to my heart from my 62 last winter. I must admit though, you have a lot more "do dads" to deal with, but it'll all be worth it in the end even if just for the piece of mind let alone if you ever have to trouble shoot it

 

[MsSchroder]

Good grief! those pictures are giving me the chills. Its the stuff of nightmares...
If you can sort that out, Ken, you are Da Man! Hell, you are Da Man for even trying :BOW

 

[Ken]

When you get to be my age ...

:L Oh yeah! You and Lou - two old farts, wa-a-a-ay older than me!

Tell you what though, it was getting to be a bit much trying to sit cross-legged on the floor of the car sorting that mess out. It should be much easier now, eh?

_ken