how to save your wiring harnesses
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 404
From: SFV, Calif.
how to save your wiring harnesses
When I got my car, the first month was spent repairing the hack job former owners had done by splicing the under-dash wire harness to add accessories over the years. I thought I had got them all till I went to install my stereo and found the ignition plug a jumble of crimped wires that go nowhere.
Anyhow, I have seen others ask how to splice into a line to add radios, Tachometers or even a 3rd brake light. Since I needed to connect to a constant hot wire (12v +), I decided to take a picture and show how I do it without cutting or splicing the wiring harness.
This Y-split Pigtail is made with a foot of 14 gauge wire, 1 male and 2 female Crimp-on bullet connectors and some shrink tubing. This pigtail plugs into the original hot lead of the cigarette lighter and supplies the clock/memory constant positive power to the radio and the cigarette lighter.
This is a great way to plug into your original wiring without cutting or splicing it. You can just unplug the wires and put it back to the way it originally was. Perfect for adding aftermarket/modern devices to a classic car. Hope some of you can use it.
One final tip, don't ever use the wire splicers that allow you to tap into the original wire (plastic connector uses a small razor type blade that clips onto the wires). They may be quick and easy, but after a couple years of vibration, the blade will severe the original wire. Really hard to find those broken wires and the "ease of use" doesn't make up for the hundreds of dollars you save for a new under dash wiring harness. Someone hooked up a tach on my car, It was impossible to find the break in the resistor wire after it had been removed!
Anyhow, I have seen others ask how to splice into a line to add radios, Tachometers or even a 3rd brake light. Since I needed to connect to a constant hot wire (12v +), I decided to take a picture and show how I do it without cutting or splicing the wiring harness.
This Y-split Pigtail is made with a foot of 14 gauge wire, 1 male and 2 female Crimp-on bullet connectors and some shrink tubing. This pigtail plugs into the original hot lead of the cigarette lighter and supplies the clock/memory constant positive power to the radio and the cigarette lighter.
This is a great way to plug into your original wiring without cutting or splicing it. You can just unplug the wires and put it back to the way it originally was. Perfect for adding aftermarket/modern devices to a classic car. Hope some of you can use it.
One final tip, don't ever use the wire splicers that allow you to tap into the original wire (plastic connector uses a small razor type blade that clips onto the wires). They may be quick and easy, but after a couple years of vibration, the blade will severe the original wire. Really hard to find those broken wires and the "ease of use" doesn't make up for the hundreds of dollars you save for a new under dash wiring harness. Someone hooked up a tach on my car, It was impossible to find the break in the resistor wire after it had been removed!
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 60
From: Texas
Nice!
I am almost fearful of getting into my electrical harness. It is similar to what you describe - a horrible mess of splices, exposed wires, and seemingly random wires. I intend to rip every last bit of it out and starting over once I have the car torn down. Your tip here will be very useful.
I am almost fearful of getting into my electrical harness. It is similar to what you describe - a horrible mess of splices, exposed wires, and seemingly random wires. I intend to rip every last bit of it out and starting over once I have the car torn down. Your tip here will be very useful.
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