Ok, I'm also building a harness in my '82 242 non turbo.

My girlfriend's car died, so I am letting her use my 91 :)

and the 82 242 has come out of retirement...

I read all the other posts, and have a couple questions:

How different is the 82 harness from say anything newer?

like an 83.. My 82 is the system that doesn't have an air mass meter included.

Also, where does one get the female connectors?

Mine are crusty.. and I mean crusty..

next,

is there anywhere on the web, where the process is documented? Like with step by step instructions and wire colors (my wires are all oxidated copper.. there isn't any insulation really there)

and what wire lengths do you recommend?

(I'm having trouble finding any 14 guage wire in more than red and black here in town)

Is there anywhere on the web that you can get a bunch of different colors of wire in short rolls like one would need for this job?

Thanks further,

Luke

Luke,

You could try cannabalizing the '83 harness for wires of the correct color. That's what I did for my '82.

I suggest just losing the connector alltogether. I got rid of the connector and just spliced the wires together using butt connectors, shrink wrap, and elec. coating (soldering would def. be good too). Once it's all together you can wrap tape right over it so water can't get in there like it could w/the connector. Of course, that will suck if you ever want it out again (SNIP!).

Wire lengths? I just eyed it up with each crusty old one I was replacing.

Consider using that tubular plastic stuff to put over the wires. I didn't have any so I wrapped it in lots and lots of elec. tape and then brushed on a good coating of the 3M elec. coating. Prolly just as well. I'd definitely do this for the alternator and other wires that go underneath the front of the engine to ensure it's water/oilproof.

BUT, if you can get an '82 harness go for it even if it too is funky. You can sit in your garage in relative comfort and get it in perfect condition before installing it rather than bending over your car, replacing wires one-by-one.

Assuming you're going to take out the intake to do this, make sure you know where all those vaccuum tubes and fuel lines go. I had my fingers crossed. --Also a great time to do some cleaning down in those deep dark depths...

Hope this is of help.

rehsper

I recently rebuilt some (from the fusible links onward - alternator & starter portion) of my harness in my 83' Turbo, and it now works well. My wires were totally rotten, and missing all insulation. I ended up taking off the intake manifold, and replacing all the wires with red ones. (thats all i had, and replacing them one at a time and marking them, no problems).

Good luck, it takes time, but saves a lot of $$$.

This link:

http://brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/Electrical-CircuitsRelays1.shtml#Baked_Engine_Wiring

has about as good of description of the problem and solution as any I have seen.

I will put on the hiking boots and head to the salvage yard this weekend I think, to get some good female connectors. (cars are stored alphabetically, so Volvo is at the way BACK of the salvage yard)

Unless anyone has any better alternatives for use in place of the female connector??

And a question for Steve Ringlee?? Do you know where I can get multiple colors of 14 gauge wire in Ames iowa? :)

Hey Luke,

While you're taking the pick n pull hike anyway, take a close look at the donors for a good updated harness. That's what I did for my project 242GLT. It was perfect except for the big red alternator wire that was cut by someone taking the alternator. I just soldered and shrink wrapped on a new end and all is well. By the way, the harness cost me $10.00 and about 45 minutes to pull. You can tell the updated harness by the different shade of grey on the connectors on firewall and of course by the non-crumbling insulation.

Hope this helps,

Dan

I have had good luck finding places under "Electronic Equipment and Supplies-Wholesale" in the Yellow pages. Call them first as many only deal in BULK but some are aimed at the hobbyist and repair community.

Around here you can ask in any real guitar shop because there is always some guy in the back who never sees the light of day, rarely ventures more than four feet from an ashtray and never has contact with customers...he is the guy who repairs tube amps (point-to-point wiring), restores old Fenders and re-cones speakers for a living. He will often sell you the wire, by the foot, off the dusty old reels that he has on a homemade rack...next to one of his ashtrays. I love places like that.

Onkel Udo

I was just thinking of doing that also. I have an '82 and an '84, both in desperate need of all new wiring. Let us know if you find any more useful info.

Luke, Simon Eng has a detailed description of this process, including materials needed. He has freely e-mailed it to those who request it. You might search the FAQ's or archives for his name and e-mail address.

Rob,

> Luke, Simon Eng has a detailed description of this process, including

> materials needed. He has freely e-mailed it to those who request it.

> You might search the FAQ's or archives for his name and e-mail

> address.

Was that "Simon Eng" or "Vincent Eng?"

"Simon"