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I'm looking for folks who may have experienced this same situation installing an engine wiring harness in their Corvette: Last winter, I replaced the engine wiring harness in our '72 LT-1 coupe. During the installation, I was unable to engage the captive bolt in the wire harness connector with the (likely) captive nut on the passenger compartment side of the bulkhead connector. With the harness connector not connected and out of the way, I tried using a longer bolt of the same thread size to insert into the bulkhead connector in an attempt to locate the captive nut, but to no avail. My solution has so far been simply a press fit of the harness connector onto the bulkhead connector. Even though this is not an ideal fix, it did let me drive the car last year, with one minor problem, which may or may not be related to the security of the connection: my ammeter is now inoperative. This may be due to a poor electrical connection, or some other problem. In order to rule out a poor connection, I want to make certain that the wire harness connector is firmly attached to the bulkhead connector, and I'm trying to find anyone who's experienced the same condition of not being able to engage the bolt threads onto the nut, and what your solution may have been. Thanks in advance for your suggestions. Larry
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Re: Wiring Harness Replacement
The few times I have connected or disconnected the two I haven't had much of a problem, though it is a little tricky. I'm not sure if you've tried everything, but have you gotten the help of a second person to firmly hold one in place while you attempt to use the bolt to fasten the two together. They should bolt-connect (eventually) and I would think that without them firmly attached then vibration will eventually cause you some electrical dis-connects. TBarr #24014 -
Re: Wiring Harness Replacement - Add on
Larry,
If I remember correctly, it seems at least once the insulation had a habit of getting in the way (behind and underneath) of the harness/fuse panel "box" on the interior side. That may be something to check, that you are flush with the firewall and nothing inbetween or underneath. TBarr #24014Comment
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Re: Wiring Harness Replacement - Add on
Tom - Thanks for the suggestions. I'll enlist the aid of an assistant to hold the bulkhead connector/fuse panel from underneath the dashboard while I try to engage the screw, and I'll also check for interference from insulation, etc. Incidentally, this past weekend I disconnected the harness from the bulkhead (not too difficult, as the screw was strictly ornamental), and using the wiring diagram, I traced the black and white ammeter wire to its connecting terminal, and found the terminal to be bent slightly down and askew. I straightened it with needle-nose pliers, pushed the harness connector back into the bulkhead connector, tried the ignition, and observed the ammeter needle move for the first time in over a year. One small victory. The car is still up on jackstands for the winter, so this weekend I'll try to get that dang screw to bite into some threads. Your ideas will help. Thanks for sharing them. LarryComment
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