Wiring Harness/Loom needed......HELP!!

[Ben Nichols]

Hi All Bad news I'm afraid..... I have had an auto electrician check the wiring on my 1972 914/4....he has condemned it...its melted and generally f@#cked.... I need a complete loom/harness from front headlights to rear excluding the engine loom - that is salvageable..,. I am in the UK and no one does one here, I have looked at Kroon in Holland but they want €2,800!!!! Can anyone help me...please! Thanks Ben

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

That's the going rate for a new harness, unfortunately.

You may be able to get a used harness from the classified section of this website. Also try the one on 914world.com; it tends to be more active.

Shipping may be expensive, though, as must of the stuff you'll find will be in the US. And, of course, there are no guarantees that a used part is still good. (You can get lots of photos, but there can still be stuff that is missed.)

Is there no reasonable way to repair what you have?

--DD

[mepstein]

I would post on 914world for the year harness you want. Expect to pay $100-200 for one in good shape. Use a shipping company like parcel monkey and shipping will be 40-50. The 914 harnesses pack into a pretty small box. Probably 12x12x20 or smaller and weigh about 15lbs. Then you can always use your harness for spare parts, if needed. There are a couple guys who regularly part 914's so be patient and you'll find one. Nobody makes a new 914-4 harness. Kroon only does a 914-6.

[Ben Nichols]

Originally Posted by Dave at Pelican Parts

That's the going rate for a new harness, unfortunately.

You may be able to get a used harness from the classified section of this website. Also try the one on 914world.com; it tends to be more active.

Shipping may be expensive, though, as must of the stuff you'll find will be in the US. And, of course, there are no guarantees that a used part is still good. (You can get lots of photos, but there can still be stuff that is missed.)

Is there no reasonable way to repair what you have?

--DD

Thanks Dave, I will have a look in the classifieds. Unfortunately the one I have is original and a lot is melted, the time involved with chopping out etc and making good I dont think is worth it, the result will be a mess I fear.

[Ben Nichols]

Originally Posted by mepstein

I would post on 914world for the year harness you want. Expect to pay $100-200 for one in good shape. Use a shipping company like parcel monkey and shipping will be 40-50. The 914 harnesses pack into a pretty small box. Probably 12x12x20 or smaller and weigh about 15lbs. Then you can always use your harness for spare parts, if needed. There are a couple guys who regularly part 914's so be patient and you'll find one. Nobody makes a new 914-4 harness. Kroon only does a 914-6.

Thanks, I have joined 914 World and put a post in classified.

Do you know if the Kroon 914-6 harness would fit? I dont need the engine harness and assume the rest of the systems are the same (lights etc etc)

Thanks

[mikensam]

Hi Ben,I have a complete wiring harness out of 74 914 with all terminals.If that helps you hit me up
Chris

[ILXLR8]

I would send a request to 914 LTD. This guy has been around for far before my 914 days about 30 years ago. Brad knows his 914's, is reasonable and very honest! Located in the USA.

Welcome to 914 Limited

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by Ben Nichols

Do you know if the Kroon 914-6 harness would fit? I dont need the engine harness and assume the rest of the systems are the same (lights etc etc)

It would fit, but the wiring is different enough that trying to adapt things would be a major pain in the butt. Some components (e.g., ignition switch) are in different locations, there are electrical systems that the Six has that the Four does not (e.g., electric windshield washer pump) and so on. It might be worth it if you could get the harness for free, but that's rather not the case as you mentioned.

--DD

[Ben Nichols]

Originally Posted by mikensam

Hi Ben,I have a complete wiring harness out of 74 914 with all terminals.If that helps you hit me up
Chris

Hi Chris

That would useful, will one from a 74 car fit a 72?

Any idea how much you want for it?

Thanks

[Ben Nichols]

Originally Posted by ILXLR8

I would send a request to 914 LTD. This guy has been around for far before my 914 days about 30 years ago. Brad knows his 914's, is reasonable and very honest! Located in the USA.

Welcome to 914 Limited

Done, thanks for the tip

[Ben Nichols]

Originally Posted by Dave at Pelican Parts

It would fit, but the wiring is different enough that trying to adapt things would be a major pain in the butt. Some components (e.g., ignition switch) are in different locations, there are electrical systems that the Six has that the Four does not (e.g., electric windshield washer pump) and so on. It might be worth it if you could get the harness for free, but that's rather not the case as you mentioned.

--DD

Thanks Dave, sounds like it's not an option at that sort of money...

[mikensam]

Im pretty sure it should work forward of the engine compartment .What you need is a 16"x24" laminated full color wiring diagram.The wires in the diagram are proper color coded so tracing is a breeze.I have these for for my 9!!;s and and 914's.Look up Prosperos Garage he sells em for like $25.I will let the harness go for hundred dollars plus shipping,I believe all dash switches and the lighter are still attatched to the harness.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The 74 would have a different power distribution setup than the 72. Some of the gauge wiring will also be different. Probably other differences as well.

See if you can find wiring diagrams (Haynes has B&W ones) to compare.

--DD

[Ben Nichols]

Thanks guys, I will order a diagram off Prosperos and see where I end up.

I have been offered a harness on 914 World from a '72 4 cylinder so I will probably get that as its a start....

Just waiting on a reply from 914 Limited - hopefully they can help. I have also seen they do a refurbed relay board for $299...anyone got any experience of it? It may be worth changing at the same time to make sure all is perfect.....?

Ben

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

You can also go on http://www.archive.org and look for a saved cache from Pelican Parts in about 2001. There should be a link to some full-color electrical diagrams on the left side of the page. I don't think there is a 72 diagram, but the 73 diagram will at least be close.

In general, refurbishing a relay board is done by removing the potting compound on the underside of the board, cleaning up and re-soldering the connections, and checking that all of the connectors that are supposed to connect together actually do, then re-potting. That is something you can DIY, or of course get one from Brad at 914 Limited. (Really nice guy, BTW. Knows his 914s very well!)

--DD

[Ben Nichols]

Originally Posted by Dave at Pelican Parts

You can also go on http://www.archive.org and look for a saved cache from Pelican Parts in about 2001. There should be a link to some full-color electrical diagrams on the left side of the page. I don't think there is a 72 diagram, but the 73 diagram will at least be close.

In general, refurbishing a relay board is done by removing the potting compound on the underside of the board, cleaning up and re-soldering the connections, and checking that all of the connectors that are supposed to connect together actually do, then re-potting. That is something you can DIY, or of course get one from Brad at 914 Limited. (Really nice guy, BTW. Knows his 914s very well!)

--DD

Thanks Dave - there is a local company here that refurbs and repairs PCB's maybe they can have a look - I will try them first

[Ben Nichols]

Hi All

I have managed to source a replacement harness, which is great news. Thanks for your help.

Now the tricky part....

I need some help removing the old harness and refitting. I know I will need to strip out quite a lot but ideally I want to strip out the minimum of the interior so could use any instructions/tips/photos anyone has to help me.

I don't need to remove the engine harness.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by Ben Nichols

I need some help removing the old harness and refitting. I know I will need to strip out quite a lot but ideally I want to strip out the minimum of the interior so could use any instructions/tips/photos anyone has to help me.

Removing the seats and carpet is easy, far easier than working around them. Just slide them forward all the way, then reach under the seat rail that does not have the slider handle on it and push up the stopper tab, and slide the seat off the rails.

There is a thread with posts by Sir Andy in the Classic Threads section of the 914world BBS that details removing the main wiring harness from the car. And another thread I found while looking for that first thread.

BTW, the relay board isn't actually a PCB. It isn't printed, and the copper traces aren't on a substrate. I don't know how eager a PCB specialist company would be to take it on.

If you look at the relay board diagrams, you can see an image of the actual traces.

Ah, here we are! A 914world thread showing the insides of the board.

--DD