HELLO GRUMPYVETTE?, I Have a nice little 1990 base model C4 with an automatic transmission with an unusual problem. Drove the thing home, almost, had to tow it the last mile. The fuel filter was in serious need of replacement.
While searching around under the dashboard to find the connector so that an analyzer could be connected. I could not find it. Figuring that the previous owner covered the connector up with carpeting I removed the under-dash cover. There was no analyzer connector whatsoever but there was a wad or wire nuts about the size of my fist. What the reason for all of this re-wiring was for I have no idea since everything worked. The yellow wire cable that is clearly marked as being for the steering wheel air bag was not only NOT connected, but cut as well. Yeah, I know, I should have test crashed the car first to make sure the thing was safe to drive but you just don't think of doing those things at the time of purchase.
Whoever screwed this car over was a professional pimp.
I am not too concerned with my ability to repair the damage but I am worried that the second I reconnect the battery the first thing I'm going to hear is $1000 worth of Inflatable Restraint System going off.
Can anyone direct me to the correct wiring diagram or know of anyplace I can find a replacement under-dash wiring harness?
Thanks
CHECK ALL YOUR FUSES and electrical connections WITH A MULTI METER, but don,t assume you know what the problem is, let the facts lead you to the answers
be aware that not all engine "MISSES" or "ticking sounds " that you might be dealing with or trying to correct, are an electrical or a fuel delivery or pressure issue, your problem might be a mechanical issue like a vacuum leak, from a busted hose,or loose gasket,a burnt valve, loose or worn timing chain,badly adjusted valves, broken or loose harmonic damper, loose flex plate, or torque converter bolt, busted valve spring, burnt or defective rocker, loose or worn valve guide, or a dozen other issues so try to logically isolate it to a cylinder or system, electrical,valve train, fuel delivery, exhaust , ignition ,etc.
ITS a P.I.T.A. but its not uncommon for a car thats 10-20 years or more old to have previously had the wiring butchered by unskilled labor
youve got two obvious options, the first one is more or less mandatory
LOOK FOR LOOSE OR CORRODED ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTORS, in THE WIRING HARNESS, and VERIFY YOUR FIRING ORDER, YEAH I KNOW YOUR SURE ITS CORRECT, CHECK IT CAREFULLY AGAIN, YOUR NOID TEST LIGHT AND MULTI- METER CAN SAVE YOU A GREAT DEAL OF PROBLEMS AND SCRATCHING YOUR HEAD IF YOU TEST BASIC ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS< RESISTANCE AND VOLTAGE, CHECK YOUR SENSORS AND GROUNDS, A SHOP MANUALS MANDATORY
buy a factory shop manual
http://www.helminc.com/helm/product2.as ... itemtype=B
THE DIAGRAM ABOVE HAS THE CORRECT WIRE COLORS
the other is optional but highly advisable
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-1-dig ... 98674.html
having a wide assortment of different multi meter test leads available is a huge benefit while testing
the clip test leads that test thru a wires insulation without much damage are a big help
replace the dash wiring harness
http://www.lectriclimited.com/corvette_ ... s_sets.htm
http://www.vette2vette.com/
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carco ... BConnector
http://www.drivewire.com/search/?N=0&sv ... ersal:0%29
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carco ... vt8rgmibb5
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001/oc ... y/bat1.asp
http://www.corvettepartsblog.com/53-62c ... harnesses/
viewtopic.php?f=70&t=3347
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=3105&p=8272&hilit=connectors#p8272
http://www.ehow.com/video_2200600_autom ... -tips.html
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=8493&p=29779#p29779
viewtopic.php?f=70&t=986
viewtopic.php?f=70&t=2700
viewtopic.php?f=80&t=728&p=8392&hilit=v.o.m.+meter#p8392
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=3110&p=8302&hilit=+meter#p8302
http://www.ehow.com/wiring-diagrams/
http://autoparts.lifetips.com/cat/61686 ... index.html
While searching around under the dashboard to find the connector so that an analyzer could be connected. I could not find it. Figuring that the previous owner covered the connector up with carpeting I removed the under-dash cover. There was no analyzer connector whatsoever but there was a wad or wire nuts about the size of my fist. What the reason for all of this re-wiring was for I have no idea since everything worked. The yellow wire cable that is clearly marked as being for the steering wheel air bag was not only NOT connected, but cut as well. Yeah, I know, I should have test crashed the car first to make sure the thing was safe to drive but you just don't think of doing those things at the time of purchase.
Whoever screwed this car over was a professional pimp.
I am not too concerned with my ability to repair the damage but I am worried that the second I reconnect the battery the first thing I'm going to hear is $1000 worth of Inflatable Restraint System going off.
Can anyone direct me to the correct wiring diagram or know of anyplace I can find a replacement under-dash wiring harness?
Thanks
CHECK ALL YOUR FUSES and electrical connections WITH A MULTI METER, but don,t assume you know what the problem is, let the facts lead you to the answers
be aware that not all engine "MISSES" or "ticking sounds " that you might be dealing with or trying to correct, are an electrical or a fuel delivery or pressure issue, your problem might be a mechanical issue like a vacuum leak, from a busted hose,or loose gasket,a burnt valve, loose or worn timing chain,badly adjusted valves, broken or loose harmonic damper, loose flex plate, or torque converter bolt, busted valve spring, burnt or defective rocker, loose or worn valve guide, or a dozen other issues so try to logically isolate it to a cylinder or system, electrical,valve train, fuel delivery, exhaust , ignition ,etc.
ITS a P.I.T.A. but its not uncommon for a car thats 10-20 years or more old to have previously had the wiring butchered by unskilled labor
youve got two obvious options, the first one is more or less mandatory
LOOK FOR LOOSE OR CORRODED ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTORS, in THE WIRING HARNESS, and VERIFY YOUR FIRING ORDER, YEAH I KNOW YOUR SURE ITS CORRECT, CHECK IT CAREFULLY AGAIN, YOUR NOID TEST LIGHT AND MULTI- METER CAN SAVE YOU A GREAT DEAL OF PROBLEMS AND SCRATCHING YOUR HEAD IF YOU TEST BASIC ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS< RESISTANCE AND VOLTAGE, CHECK YOUR SENSORS AND GROUNDS, A SHOP MANUALS MANDATORY
buy a factory shop manual
http://www.helminc.com/helm/product2.as ... itemtype=B
THE DIAGRAM ABOVE HAS THE CORRECT WIRE COLORS
the other is optional but highly advisable
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-1-dig ... 98674.html
having a wide assortment of different multi meter test leads available is a huge benefit while testing
the clip test leads that test thru a wires insulation without much damage are a big help
replace the dash wiring harness
http://www.lectriclimited.com/corvette_ ... s_sets.htm
http://www.vette2vette.com/
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carco ... BConnector
http://www.drivewire.com/search/?N=0&sv ... ersal:0%29
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carco ... vt8rgmibb5
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001/oc ... y/bat1.asp
http://www.corvettepartsblog.com/53-62c ... harnesses/
viewtopic.php?f=70&t=3347
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=3105&p=8272&hilit=connectors#p8272
http://www.ehow.com/video_2200600_autom ... -tips.html
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=8493&p=29779#p29779
viewtopic.php?f=70&t=986
viewtopic.php?f=70&t=2700
viewtopic.php?f=80&t=728&p=8392&hilit=v.o.m.+meter#p8392
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=3110&p=8302&hilit=+meter#p8302
http://www.ehow.com/wiring-diagrams/
http://autoparts.lifetips.com/cat/61686 ... index.html
Last edited by a moderator:
