Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi

What is the best way to fit a new wiring loom in a Morris minor 1000?

I would be grateful for any advice.

Thanks.

Mick

Firstly, make sure you get the correct one, because there are a lot of different looms available depending on the age and specification of your Minor. Also, think about any modification AT ALL your car has had or that you intend to add in the future. These can be incorporated into your new loom so that you don't have to modify it later ie: the fitting of an alternator, a radio or flashing indicators if the car didn't have them originally.....
Once you have the correct loom and have laid it out and checked it against your wiring diagram (which you'll need.....),
I would take out the speedometer and gloveboxes then go around the car with a pair of sidecutters, snipping all the electrical connections so that each component, switch, light etc is left with a couple of inches of original wiring still attached, showing the colour of the insulation. Once you have done this around the whole car, following the old loom, you can remove the loom itself - you'll have to remove the metal/rubber grommet held to the bulkhead with 3 screws through which the loom travels.
When the old loom is out of the way you can thread the new one into the car and through the bulkhead following the path of the old one and then, one connection at a time, remove the old "end" which you left when you snipped it from the old loom and which will have the matching colour coded wire, and fit the new connection. Simple!
When you're ordering the new loom, make sure you also order a new fuse box and perhaps the separate looms for the headlights which are not included.
I've probably forgotten a few other useful tips but that'll do for a start. It isn't a difficult job if you follow it through one step at a time.

Thank you for your prompt reply, ManyMinors.

Your advice is very much appreciated and very helpful.

Kind regards, Mick.

the only thing I would add after fitting a new wiring loom in a van is to keep the wires from the the speedo lights and any other bulb connections from the speedo, leave enough wire to resolder to the new loom
this is because the bulb holders on the new looms are very poor and fitting the light bulbs is very difficult to screw in

Looms are available in woven early style which look smart when new but black after a couple of years, or plastic which you can still identify the colours after ten years.
Keep the old loom, you never know when you are going to need a piece of green and purple