Dash Wiring Harness

[Mike]

Does anyone know why Nissan used two separate harnesses for the dash? I'm taking mine apart (ready for the new dash) and noticed it. In a few areas, some wiring crosses over from one harness to another.

I will be going through the dash harness to refresh it. I'll probably replace all of the tape and a few connections. Since that was in the car (protected from the elements), most of the connections are in great shape.

One of the bigger guage wires (white with red stripe) fused itself to the engine harness connection. I'll definitely replace that one.

[m]

[Bambikiller240]

I think I remember 2Many, or Enrique (maybe someone else) saying that the large guage White w/ Red striped wire is one of the main power feeds in to the passenger cabin.

Probably carries most of the amperage and gets really hot.

Now that I think of it, it may have been Joe Demers Phd in the SportZ Article in the current issue.

[Mike]

I wonder why it would get really hot? From what I know about electricity, the only reason it should get hot is due to the incorrect guage wire or some kind of resistance.

Maybe this connector has the same problem as the connector in the fuse panel. It corrodes (at the connection) just enough to cause resistance. This causes the area to heat-up and melt the plastic.

If I remember correctly, this connection is on the passenger side of the car near the heater core. Could be caused by moisture.

[Bambikiller240]

If I recall correctly the heat is due to the high aperage flowing. The circuits were marginal at best when new and people add higher output alternators, and/or high powered stereo's, high wattage headlights, etc, and as the circuits age, corrosion rears its ugly head to increase resistance which agrevates the problem.

Mind you, I'm no electrical wiz (far from it actually), but I have a good memory and that is what I remember reading and hearing people tell me.

[Mike]

Hmm... my car was stock.

[Bambikiller240]

Could be just the age and minor corrosion from 30 years of normal use on your car then. My car seems to operate OK and is stock except for a cassette radio, but I watch it like a hawk for signs of impending trouble, just in case.

Carl Beck has said on the lists, and Joe Demers in his article seems to feel that that the system was marginal even when new in 240Z's.

Sure wish I knew enough about electronics to rewire the whole car properly with modern componentry like your other thread inquires about doing. That would be SO nice .

[Mike]

Yea, I'd like to do something to upgrade the wiring in the car... I have it out... might as well do something.

In any case, I have to replace the connector that melted together. I'm thinking about adding an in-line fuse or some kind of screw-down block (similar to those used in car-stereo installations).