This this point the main tunnel harness had complete connections from front to back. But it was still not ready for install. Why? Because wiring that has been exposed to elements and rodent urine are not ready to flow electrons. So, I have to clean all the bare wires and connections. Now, This may sound daunting. But I am going to share my secret sauce. OK, not that secret, but I do let chemistry do all the work.
Copper wiring and brass connectors turn gray and green when they oxidize. And typically, if a metal oxidizes, it can be reduced. Let's see if we can put those missing surface electrons back in place and get rid of that discoloration. Here are a few examples of the wiring.
This connector has spade terminals that are green and fuzzy.
This wire end has many green strands.
This ring terminal ground has lots of brown discoloration. Chances are this would not be a good ground.
Now here is some chemistry for you. I need a reducing agent that can shine up metal. The best thing I have found is TarnX silver polish. This is a liquid reducing agent. the process is simple, pour some in a disposable cup, have a cotton swab and that's all.
The process is to wipe, immerse, and otherwise put the TarnX on the connectors. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse off with clean water. I also usually blow dry with an air gun attached to my compressor.
Here are the same connectors after cleaning. No more green on the spade terminals. No, I did not remove from the plastic housing.
Wire strands are all clean. This can be recrimped or clamped into service.
ring terminals gleam. no buffing. No wire brushing or dremel action. Just chemistry.
It also works really well on all the wire terminations that go in the fuse panel screw connection. The oxidation is gone.
If you have an early car, this also works on the soldered ends in a fuse block. And it works incredibly well on the actual fuse blocks themselves.
Now, the harness is almost ready to be installed.