This also happened.
After having these issues come and go with no apperant root cause and seeing the rats nest under my dash, I decided to go all in. Wires were cut and taped together, unprotected connections just hanging there waiting to short, and years of other owners tinkering have left their toll.
After looking into all the options for repairing or replacing my wire harness, I have decided to go all in and build my own. My reasons for going this route are such:
- OEM replacements are expensive and still have the same inherent weaknesses of my current harness.
Butchering a universal harness will be no easier and with added complexity due to the non standard wiring in our cars.
I want to modernize certain circuits and integrate others.
I am a masochist.
- Upgrade all wires using high grade replacements and increase gauges where applicable.
Incorporate some of the enhancements from this site as well as an electric fan circuit, Electric Fuel pump, and modern radio.
Document as much as possible for the site (modern vendors, pricing, challenges, and solutions). With the exception of one other thread, I do not belive this has been well documented.
My progress so far:
One more note: I am trying my hardest to not remove the dashboard as I live in an apartment so there is only so much I can take apart without causing issues. I do keep the car under cover, but it seems doable without going through the extra pain.
At this point, I removed the fuse box, passenger side harness that enters the engine bay, and the center console. I do not plan on putting the new fuse box in the glove box Re: my previous note making it too difficult to route the new wires properly. I will be leaving myself enough slack to route properly should I choose to do so in the future.
Also of note, it is practically impossible to get to the clock with the dash in. I will re-install the light (and circuit) but I will not attempt to reconnect the clock. I also found a possible suspect as one of the leads to the clock was pinched in the frame and rubbed bare. I will also re-route the aux line (map light, cigerette lighter) through the fuse box as I think a clean connection will be better than whatever splice was done from the factory.
On to the Driver's side. Nothing much to note here other than more dodgy wiring and some of the upper lights were hard to remove. Also, this is going to be a real pain putting back in.
The harness out of the car. I have it laid out so its in the basic layout as it would be in the car if you were sitting in the drivers seat.
Hopefully this is of some interest to some of you. Be patient, I will be updating as I go. Next update will be the engine harness. Then i can make some measurements, order parts and start building the new one.