Replace wiring harness? |
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Replace wiring harness? |
Boothy |
Jan 13 2021, 07:37 AM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 86 Joined: 17-January 19 From: Abington, MA Member No.: 22,805 Region Association: North East States |
Happy new year all!
In the middle of a ground-up on a 74. Car is pretty clean but looking at the wiring. Looks clean as well. No chafing etc. Replacing the relays and cleaning the board etc. Is wiring ever too old? Don't want to go through all this only to have to tear it all out with the engine in the way etc. Car was a summer car in VT so no exposure to salt air etc. Thanks in advance! |
mepstein |
Jan 13 2021, 07:52 AM
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#2
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,142 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Unfortunately, nobody is currently making a harness for a ‘74 and all the nos ones floating around are early 70-71
From your description it sounds like yours is still in good shape. |
Cairo94507 |
Jan 13 2021, 08:00 AM
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#3
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Michael Group: Members Posts: 9,649 Joined: 1-November 08 From: Auburn, CA Member No.: 9,712 Region Association: Northern California |
I would definitely unwrap, clean and check all the wires to make sure you have no breaks, wear marks and then re-wrap it before installing it. Look for added on wiring and connectors thatch be removed and the harness repaired. Stereo/alarm installers of the 70's and beyond are notorious for ruining harnesses. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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Superhawk996 |
Jan 13 2021, 08:22 AM
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#4
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,670 Joined: 25-August 18 From: Woods of N. Idaho Member No.: 22,428 Region Association: Galt's Gulch |
Rarely is a wiring harness beyond repair unless it has been dunked in water (especially salt water) for an extended period of time. The water wicks way up into the insulation by capillary action and destroys it with corrosion.
If the insulation is pliable and intact, the copper within will be OK. Brittle insulation will crack and cause all sorts of gremlins. Repair or replace. Wire insulation can be tested with a Megger if in doubt about its integrity. However, at 12v, automotive wiring isn't at high risk of arcing due to insulation breakdown. Bad sections of harness can be repaired by splicing with proper gauge wire and proper termination techniques. The important harnesses (alternator, ignition, and Fuel Injection) are available from Jeff Bowlsby. https://bowlsby.net/914/WiringHarnesses/ |
Mark Henry |
Jan 13 2021, 08:23 AM
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#5
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
Kroon makes a harness for the /6 and IIRC RD is starting to make harnesses but they are not cheap because they're not cheap to make.
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BeemerSteve |
Jan 13 2021, 08:30 AM
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#6
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Member Group: Members Posts: 239 Joined: 2-September 15 From: Van Zandt, Wa Member No.: 19,123 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
You might want to contact Gerard at Kroon he is currently making a chassis harness for my 1973 2.0L.
He will be using mine as a prototype for future harnesses so I would think if you approach him he might be looking for more examples. |
mepstein |
Jan 13 2021, 09:13 AM
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#7
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,142 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
You might want to contact Gerard at Kroon he is currently making a chassis harness for my 1973 2.0L. He will be using mine as a prototype for future harnesses so I would think if you approach him he might be looking for more examples. Funny. I sent mine to him a couple years ago and then after a year he told me it wasn't worth it and sent it back. I guess times have changed. |
DEC |
Jan 13 2021, 12:14 PM
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#8
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 630 Joined: 10-November 05 From: Rehburg Member No.: 5,104 Region Association: Germany |
In Germany MS-Bordnetze makes a complete harness for the 914
https://www.msbordnetze.de/porsche-914.html (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_flagge6.gif) |
RiqueMar |
Jan 13 2021, 12:24 PM
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#9
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Enrique Allen Mar Group: Members Posts: 2,169 Joined: 28-August 08 From: San Diego, CA Member No.: 9,478 Region Association: Southern California |
@Boothy
I just went through a similar project this last summer, where-in I took an adapted harness from a 75 - 3.6 and transplanted it into my 70'. Granted, you don't need to remove the harness so the whole process is pretty straight forward. As other members mentioned, check for any splicing and rubbing and that the wires are flexible. This is a great time to un-tape certain sections, check underneath, clean and re-wrap. Though I eventually went a different route and applied 'safety sheathing', 914rubber.com sells a great tape that will leave the harness looking like new. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) |
Mikey914 |
Jan 13 2021, 12:37 PM
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#10
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The rubber man Group: Members Posts: 12,622 Joined: 27-December 04 From: Hillsboro, OR Member No.: 3,348 Region Association: None |
Yes it's here -
https://914rubber.com/wiring-harness-tape-1# Also note that it's 180' roll. Correct width - 4 roll for a complete car We also make the tab covers 13' needed for a complete car Attached image(s) |
RiqueMar |
Jan 13 2021, 12:50 PM
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#11
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Enrique Allen Mar Group: Members Posts: 2,169 Joined: 28-August 08 From: San Diego, CA Member No.: 9,478 Region Association: Southern California |
Yes it's here - https://914rubber.com/wiring-harness-tape-1# Also note that it's 180' roll. Correct width - 4 roll for a complete car We also make the tab covers 13' needed for a complete car Great stuff, photo of the tape here. Anything from 914Rubber is (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) |
Boothy |
Jan 13 2021, 12:57 PM
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#12
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Member Group: Members Posts: 86 Joined: 17-January 19 From: Abington, MA Member No.: 22,805 Region Association: North East States |
Great!
Thanks all for the help. I appreciate it. I'll go through it all and do as suggested. Best! |
JeffBowlsby |
Jan 13 2021, 01:09 PM
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#13
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914 Wiring Harnesses Group: Members Posts: 8,438 Joined: 7-January 03 From: San Ramon CA Member No.: 104 Region Association: None |
In Germany MS-Bordnetze makes a complete harness for the 914 https://www.msbordnetze.de/porsche-914.html (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_flagge6.gif) This website looks interesting but I have not seen any actual product, close-up photos or customer reviews. Curious to know exactly which harnesses are offered and provided? For example, for the 914/4 there are at least 3 different versions of 1.7L FI harnesses, 3 versions of 2.0L FI harnesses, 3 versions of Ignition harnesses, and 8 versions of chassis harnesses. They are not interchangeable, each one is unique. Nothing is offered for the 1.8L cars. Are they all new parts are or some parts reused originals? |
Cairo94507 |
Jan 13 2021, 01:35 PM
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#14
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Michael Group: Members Posts: 9,649 Joined: 1-November 08 From: Auburn, CA Member No.: 9,712 Region Association: Northern California |
The very first part I bought for my 914-6 was an NOS wiring harness, still in the factory sealed bag and box from Porsche. I believe I paid $1,200. When it arrived I felt like God had reached his hand out and delivered the absolutely perfect harness.
If you have a questionable harness, the Germany MS-Bordnetze harness which if my math is corrects about $2,800 is actually not all that bad. Think of the hours you might save chasing wiring Gremlins or replacing parts that short and cause damage. Finally, anything @JeffBowlsby makes and sells is going to be perfect- that is just how he is. So whatever harnesses he offers for your car, you would be foolish not to replace with his new ones. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) |
mepstein |
Jan 13 2021, 01:58 PM
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#15
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,142 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
The very first part I bought for my 914-6 was an NOS wiring harness, still in the factory sealed bag and box from Porsche. I believe I paid $1,200. When it arrived I felt like God had reached his hand out and delivered the absolutely perfect harness. If you have a questionable harness, the Germany MS-Bordnetze harness which if my math is corrects about $2,800 is actually not all that bad. Think of the hours you might save chasing wiring Gremlins or replacing parts that short and cause damage. Finally, anything @JeffBowlsby makes and sells is going to be perfect- that is just how he is. So whatever harnesses he offers for your car, you would be foolish not to replace with his new ones. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) I remember that was a great score for you. I bet a used six harness is worth that much. When someone here pointed out a nos early four harness on German eBay for $850, I jumped on it. The wires are soft and flexible. Feels like new. Attached image(s) |
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