fitting a new loom

[moray]

hi all,

I'm fitting a new loom to my trav and am wondering if the part of the loom that goes under the car should be covered with plastic sleeving to protect it. If so what should I use ?
maybe heatshrink tubing, or irrigation plastic poly pipe?

also are there any tricks or traps i should look out for when fitting the new loom?

cheers
Moray

[mogbob]

Moray
Heat shrink will keep the loom braiding clean but is probably not robust enough to protect against damage from things thrown up from the road.
Suitable plastic piping ( split length wise if you can't get it over the wiring ) put on from the rear end of the loom, i.e the rear lights/ petrol tank end.Gaffer tape up the joins.Make sure the tubing is flexible enough to go over the crossmember by the gearbox mounting without difficulty.It's important the loom avoids the rotating propshaft, back axle, etc.

I used short lengths of heat shrink on the metal tags that retain the loom to prevent chaffing.
Use new grommets wherever the loom goes through holes in the body.

Work methodically. label the wires with small sticky labels folded around the wires if it helps.It also helps identification later on if you have problems. ( Like a percentage of the male population ,I'm partially red/ green colour blind so my wife had to assist me ).Hang the loom from the tags with a loop of string so that you can " adjust" the position without bending and rebending the tags (...oopps it's broken the metal tag , a problem you don't want ).When you are happy it's all sorted , you can tuck it all away safely.

I used both multimeter and a temporary 9v battery /bulb and wire to check the lines and switch operation before connecting up for real.Test the existing bulbs aren't blown before blaming your wiring.Replace any " iffy/ suspect wiring on components
with new correct guage wiring where required, e.g.heater fan motor.
Good luck with it.
Bob

[mike.perry]

You may find an extra wire or two, for instance green or purple. Just use what you need and fix an insulated spade connector to any spares, they might be useful one day

[beero]

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/V ... mepage.php
These people have a great selection of cable sleeving and spiral binding, I have used them a lot and can recommend them.

[moray]

Thanks all for your replies.

I have a question about the headlight earth.
the wire has a bullet connector on it, but I can't see where to plug it in.

I think there should be some sort of clip attached to the bodywork so the lights earth.
I've had a look at the ESM site, but can't see an earth clips.

My car has just had the inner wings and floorpans replaced, and the bodyshop has not fitted straps to retain the loom or brake/fuel lines. I think they must have also not fitted them earth clips

I'm planning on using P clips screwed to the bodywork, does anyone have any suggestions for earth clips?

cheers
Moray

[bmcecosse]

Just make sure any 'sleeving' you fit - doesn't chaff the new loom..... No need to label the wires - the colour code is unique and tells you EXACTLY what each wire does!

[beero]

Regarding the headlight earth, just make up a short length of black wire with a bullet one end and a ring terminal on the other end to bolt to the bodywork, or if long enough just cut off the bullet and fit a ring terminal.

[mogbob]

" no need to label the wires..the colour code is unique and tells you EXACTLY what each each wire does ! "

bmceccosse....perfectly true .....if you are blessed with perfect vision.

Oh how I wish I wasn't quotes "partially red/ green colour blind " life would be so much simpler !!

Bob

[mike.perry]

That must make life interesting. I found it beneficial to lay the loom out on the ground then work my way along it identifying the terminals by their positions.
Don't throw the old wiring loom away. It is useful if you need to add sections of wire of the correct colour, and there are plenty of bullet connector sleeves.

[bmcecosse]

Hmmm - hadn't considered colour vision problem! Still - the wires pretty much end up where they are needed - and trail/error will soon get you there I'm sure.

[moray]

Unfortunately the body shop lost my old loom, it was stuffed and I planned on replacing it anyway.
But as you say it would have been good to have for reference, connecters, spare wire, etc.

How do you run the wires for the interior light and switches?
Do the purple/white wires from the door switches run up to the light ? along with the purple power feed?

Has anyone fitted a circuit to add a delay to the interior light, like on modern cars?
a quick google has found a few simple circuits that should be pretty easy to build.

cheers
Moray

[moray]

I have a another couple of questions.

how do you run the wires to the number plate lights on a traveller ?

and what is the order of the controls on the dash from left to right.
washers, wipers, ignition, lights and choke ?

cheers
Moray

[bmcecosse]

Cable to the numberplate exits from right side boot floor to the lights. Dash controls spot on for order.

[IslipMinor]

controls on the dash from left to right. Washers, wipers, ignition, lights and choke?

That's interesting, when did the choke move from left to right? Our '58 has it on the left and the starter pull on the right. Washers were still a dream for the future!

[bmcecosse]

On the later cars.

[mike.perry]

The switches moved when they changed to key start, the washer pump replaced the choke and the choke replaced the starter.

[moray]

Cable to the numberplate exits from right side boot floor to the lights.

my boot floor doesn't have any holes, should I just drill a suitable sized hole so it lines up with the numberplate light and fit a grommet ?

cheers
Moray

[mogbob]

If you are positive that there isn't an existing hole in the murky depths of the corner, then yes.
Grommet..yes.
Should be metal clips on the driver's side, under the boot lid, to take the wiring to the number plate light.

Bob