Quinten Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 It's fair to say that the person who did the wiring behind the scuttle thought "out of sight, out of mind"... Sorely tempted to snip it all out and start again, but the engine bay is surprisingly tidy, so I'll just have to do it the hard way. Thankfully (in this instance) my car has only a few sensors and when I've isolated/removed the washer and wiper sections (aeroscreen for me, sod the next owner ), it's going to be just the 'simple' hazard/indicator and lighting sections that remain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALLADDIN Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Having not long ago done same I can say that even doing it simple it's hard to keep it all neat. Leaving dash in position and removing scuttle is best where possible, it wasn't on mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanDud Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 wow, that's 10 times neater than the mess that we were greeted with when the scuttle was 1st taken off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KugaWestie Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 That don't look too bad to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tisme Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Yes, removing the scuttle is by far the easiest way to get to all that wiring - when Ii did mine, I sorted out all the loose wires back to the main loom and then matched them up to where the relevant gauge or switches are on my dash - shortening the wires if necessary and putting new connectors on the ends (never a bad idea given that some where poorly crimped). Where I've added new or additional wiring, I've used the "thin wall" stuff from Vehicle Wiring Products http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/section.php/198/1/single-core-pvc-thin-wall-cable which takes up a lot less space. To round it all off, I've rebound the looms where I can (I did use ordinary black tape rather than loom tape - sometimes I've regretted that when I've gone back to add another wire or correct something as it rarely unwinds as easy as it went on ). I've also added little tape "tabs" on virtually all of the wires where they connect to things and have written on the tab what it is (useful for a later date) - finally, I've used small cable ties to stop the loom and "spurs" from moving around or chafing. If you take your time, it's really quite a rewarding job Edit: forgot to say I moved all my relays down to behind my lower dash switch panel (which is held on with Velcro) so they're all easy to get to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted November 2, 2014 Author Share Posted November 2, 2014 Blimey, if there is even worse wiring out there then I clearly have very high standards Thankfully I am not too afraid of vehicle electronics/electrics so this is a job I will actually enjoy doing. Took the advice on the scuttle though and 4 bolts (and a bit of chewing away at some clear silicone) later it does indeed provide loads better access. Need more storage space though, can barely walk in the garage for fear of tripping over dismantled car parts! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Hello. What are those yellow seats in your car. Do you have a better picture of them please. I like the quilted stiching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted November 2, 2014 Author Share Posted November 2, 2014 Hello. What are those yellow seats in your car. Do you have a better picture of them please. I like the quilted stiching. Have a look here: http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic/108961-are-you-all-sitting-down/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Now I like them a lot. thanks for the link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagoneer Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 I make a fair few looms for projects at work and always start by fitting all the product (automotive cameras/monitors etc) with masses of cabling hanging out the back. Then I gradually tidy up starting from one product, cable tying as I go. Often as the loom progresses I find it necessary to cut cable ties and re-do to keep it all as neat as possible. Also, those self-adhesive cable clips come in handy to hold the cables and remove any strain from the components. For more complex projects like a dash loom, I'll start with a drawing so I can plot the connections and components first before commiting to actual cutting etc. Here's what lies behind my dash.......that'll be re-done then! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share Posted November 3, 2014 Can anyone tell me what these connectors are called? Or a place to purchase them from? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tisme Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 something like this ? http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/product.php/618/mate-n-lock-connectors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share Posted November 3, 2014 No, these ones are in a odd 4+1 shape (like a house), not the usual 2 rows of equal amount of pins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tisme Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 I agree it's probably an odd shape and size - I have one in mine that connects the ignition switch wires to the main loom - it looks quite an old type of connector (mine is 2002) so may have come from who knows where (Ford, BL?) - Westfield may be able to help? or it may be a case of replacing both halves (the pins may be the same as the N lock type and can usually be removed using a small screwdriver to unlatch the little clip inside). There are some better pictures of the N lock type here : http://www.thetoolboxshop.com/mate-n-lock-connectors.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tisme Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 any good ? http://www.autosparks.co.uk/index.php?cPath=94_735 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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