electrical related - upgrades, deletes, improvements, sugges

[winstontj]

Thanks to Dave Bentz I've got a new wire loom that I will be writing up a FAQ about making a duplicate including upgrades, improvements, deletes, etc. With that said, I know I've asked this a little before but I'm looking for suggestions as to what to delete, what to add, what to modify (maybe add a fuse, relay, heavier wire, etc.) and overall suggestions.

Jack has suggested - easy access to fuse panel, simplicity in wiring and taking the time to shop for the correct fasteners, connectors, etc.

Peteinjp has suggested - add in second headlight relay/fuse, fuel pump relay/fuse combo

I will also be deleting most of my emissions and smog - only I have no idea exactly what wires they all are, adding Megasquirt-II (my problem unless you've done it and know what to add in where), adding in a third brake light up top on the rear window, adding in Ford EDIS, would like to upgrade to an intermittant wiper (but don't know how), and probably more that I don't even know about.

If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate your help. For starters to have a base point of what I absolutely need, and all the crap that I can tear out of the harness like smog, emissions, redundant wires, etc. so I can have a simple base to start with. Also I want to add that I'm not going to hack up (f*uck up) a perfectly good tii harness, I'm going to just label the "need" and "don't need" wires so that I can return it to it's first owner/give, donate it on to someone with a tii that needs it. It's becuase of this that I'll need your help even more.

Thanks in advance,

TJW

[kcdonahue]

For wrapping the harness check out the fleece wire harness tape made my Tessa (biedersdorf). I'll post the part number for it when I get home this evening.

Casey

[bugtustlebub]

Casey,

It was good to meet you, in Herndon, on Saturday!

Keep us informed on your restoration.

I've got alot of work to do over the winter. I'm sure I'll be contacting you.

Regards,

Randy Bryant

Elkton, VA

[esty]

i believe, based on memory that the smog harness is alone and not a part of the main harness for the rest of the car

[winstontj]

i believe, based on memory that the smog harness is alone and not a part of the main harness for the rest of the car

There was a smaller harness that did seperate from the rest. It's difficult to sort through the rats nest but up front there's really only coil, washer fluid reservior, headlights, horn, water & oil temp senders?? Isn't that the bulk of the wires up in the engine compartment? It appears that most of my wires are just laying around zip tied up neatly being held out of the way. Just a few wires are actually functional and have a purpose... not for long though as MS-II will be going in!

[jerry]

my electrical wishlist:

quick disconnects at the firewall to avoid having to pull the entire strand through that miniscule hole.

color coding of the wires for example,

all light related wires would include white, thereby, being able to determine at a glance which control blinkers, headlights, taillights from a radio or wiper blades, etc.

perhaps a color to differentiate key-ignition activated circuits (just a thought)

perhaps install disconnects at branches.

just my thoughts

[winstontj]

my electrical wishlist:

quick disconnects at the firewall to avoid having to pull the entire strand through that miniscule hole.

color coding of the wires for example,

all light related wires would include white, thereby, being able to determine at a glance which control blinkers, headlights, taillights from a radio or wiper blades, etc.

perhaps a color to differentiate key-ignition activated circuits (just a thought)

perhaps install disconnects at branches.

just my thoughts

I'm going to go with OEM colours - ONLY so that I can still use any/all factory manuals for tracing, etc. Will do the firewall disconnects and the branch disconnects. I'm planning on making the disconnects more at the componant than at the core of the loom but same idea. I also hope that if I actually take the time by hand to re-run the entire loom I'll know every color and wire by heart, and not need to run basic color schemes. Also there will be extra fuses in the banks so I won't need to jump in on any present wiring (hopefully)

Thanks for the help!

[SteveJ]

Using the factory colour codes is a REAL smart move.

I did the same on my 02 with the 320i FI set up. Just as you said, it made wire tracing a snap. After working on Hughes Aircraft equipment, colours were nice. (Hughes would use ALL white wires in a 100 wire harness!)

[Mike Self]

emissions wiring harness under the hood is separate from the car's main harness--which makes sense since it wasn't used on the Euro cars and thus allowed 'em to use a single harness for Euro and USA lhd cars.

Once you unplug the emissions harness from the car, it comes out in one piece.

At least that part of your project is gonna be easy!

cheers

mike

PS--suggest you wire in lines for fog/driving lights, and a rear fog light.

[peteinjp]

you might want to plan on having a bank of ignition switched fuses- both in the run and park positions. I am always needing another switched lead. Also have the fuel pump cut out when there is no juice at the alternator so the thing won't keep pumping if you turn the car over. I'm not sure hoe to do it- I put in a push button so if I have my wits about me I can kill the fuel but I'd prefer to have something safer. Its out there. I guess you could wire it so that when starting the fuel pump is on and when the alternator is running the pump is on using just one relay with a lead from the start position and from the regulator. I wish I had one big fuse at the battery (trunk) in the off chance that the positive cable got cut into or something.

[Marty]

For the intermittent wipers you need to have a wiper switch with one extra position and add a single wire from the switch to the seventh pin on the intermittent wiper relay. You could also include with the switched radio power a always live wire for radio memory or a clock. For the fuel pump Ford has a inertia switch on all there fuel injected cars that will shut off the fuel pump upon sharp impact or roll over, you can find them at the pick and pull for about 5 bucks.

[hpsenicka]

...consider using sockets or plugs to attach relays, so that you don't have to sort out individually which wire attaches to which connector.

As for disconnects... I like the idea, but preferably they should be installed in a way ythat they are well protected. If exposed to the elements they could be a weak point.

Also, consider the location and quantity of ground points..... adding more ground points (or at least making sure that you have enough good ground points) is a good thing!

[winstontj]

Ford has a inertia switch on all there fuel injected cars that will shut off the fuel pump upon sharp impact or roll over, you can find them at the pick and pull for about 5 bucks.

Thanks for the tip on the wipers. i have an e21 setup and I'm going to try to rig up something with that first.

as for the Ford inertia switch - is it part of the pump? something seperate? Where on the vehicle would I be able to find this?

Peteinjp maybe this would be a better solution to your alternator driven relay??? I like this idea a lot - THANKS!

[colorobo2002]

While you're in there. What year are you doing this wire loom for, as the intermittent wipers would have different switches on roundies vs squares, as well as tailights, etc, etc.

I believe the Ford Mustang inertia switch is in the trunk, just above where the license plate is.

[winstontj]

While you're in there. What year are you doing this wire loom for, as the intermittent wipers would have different switches on roundies vs squares, as well as tailights, etc, etc.

I believe the Ford Mustang inertia switch is in the trunk, just above where the license plate is.

It's a 74 - 4222580 for now. I'll be doing a 71 - 2574356 next but for now I'm going to stick with stock square-tail. I've got my wipers on the right, blinker on the left FWIW.

I'll look this weekend if I get a chance, for that inirtia switch. What would it look like? I'm sure I can probably find it. Is there any particular model that would or would not have this?

Thanks again for everyone's help!