Dash wiring Plus 2 S

[TomMull]

I'm om the third dash wiring harness that does not fit my 1970 Plus 2 S 50/0023N Federal. This one is the closest of the three to the original but the colors do not match the old harness nor the closest diagram I can find, which is marked Plus 2 Federal 1968 - 1969. Mine was built in early 1970. There is also some slight variation in the branches, which I could live with if that was the only issue. While the old harness colors have badly faded, particularly the striped ones, quite a few of the solid colors are still distinct and I can't imagine why the new one would be so completely different. I can also find no compliance with any British wiring convention.

I started this a year ago and with Covid limitations in the UK there was had about a 3 month delivery time for each harness so my project has certainly gotten old.
In short, I have abandoned the hope of getting a replacement harness and am awaiting the arrival of bare cable from Autosparks in the colors correct according to the diagram that I have and to build a new harness.

I am hoping to match the new wires with the old wires, that are mostly tagged, with the correct color code on the diagram and the correct pins on the multi connectors to the engine (main) harness. This will be a tedious process at best.

This seems straight forward enough but an awful lot of room for errors and will be a very slow process. I'm also open to suggestions as to the idiot lights which seem to be permanently connected to the harness. Does anyone have experience with those? Of course I could always put a connector in the wire but I'm trying to keep the crowded mess behind the dash as clean as possible.

I'm no wiring expert so would appreciate any comments, suggestions, similar experiences, notes, diagrams or perhaps just wish me luck.

Thanks in advance,

Tom

 

[Grantura_MKI]

What color are you after?

 

[TomMull]

Here is the list from my diagram. I have a few meters of each on the way from Autosparks in the UK. Price was reasonable but the shipping cost much more than the wire. You have quite the inventory and will keep you in mind if I run short.

 

[Grantura_MKI]

Let me know. I make my own harnesses for most cars that I do, and like to use the original colour codes.
I bring it back from the UK when I am over. I have quite the pile since COVID has stopped travel.

 

[DrEntropy]

I've found that making a harness "from scratch" makes for a neater job, adherence to the conventional British color codes and wiring diagrams makes it easier to troubleshoot later. It also does the next person to service it a favor. Like D, we kept spools of the "usual" wire in the shop to be faithful to the originals. We'd done some Italian and German cars as well, had the wire spools on separate rods. Can't tell how many rolls of 3M electrical tape, too. Never bothered to make "loom boards" a la Wrists, too many variations.

And I do wish you luck, Tom. I've got factory manual diagrams, but I suspect you do as well. If not I can scan 'em.

 

[Grantura_MKI]

No boards for me either. I run wires and wrap in cheap masking tape and add as needed. Don’t fit the ends until it is back from being cloth wrapped.

 

[TomMull]

Thanks Dr. Entropy for the encouraging words. I do have the diagrams that came with my manual but there seems to be a gap between the 1969 plus 2s and the plus 2 S 130 wiring diagrams. They also differs with dynamo and alternator models that seem to have changed at about the same time. Just more to add to my confusion. My car has a re-manufactured Bosch alternator now, no idea what it had originally.
Thanks D. also. The wrapping raises another question. The old loom is in black tape the new in grey both very tight and stiff making the physical fitting difficult. Any suggestions for tape for my new one?

 

[DrEntropy]

Our +2 is a 1969, we eliminated the hood 'bubble', I'd built an engine with a Weber head. Chassis is 50/14**. The manual's diagrams for it seem spot-on. Sorry to hear yours has discrepancies.

We've used 3M's "Super 33+" tape for decades. Another time consumer is that we soldered the bullet and spade connectors, out of necessity. The crimp-on ones didn't come along until the late '70's IIRC. Still would solder in lieu of crimping tho. The dissimilarity of materials (copper/aluminum/steel) just bothers me... yet to see a soldered connection fail due to galvanic reactions, not so with a mechanical-only crimp.

Not certain when the cloth wraps were replaced with tape, early '60's, IIRC. And not all manufacturers at the same time. For one, Rolls seemed to use cloth 'til a while later. David would know better when the transition occurred.

 

[TomMull]

Our cars seem to be very close, late 69 and early 70 but the closest wiring diagram I have specifically excludes the 70 model. I have no idea if my wiring is original either but little reason to assume it isn't.
The PO added the Weber head on mine but just plugged the holes on the exhaust manifold that crossed over to the intake. I hear you need to take the body off to do the headers. That is on the agenda.
I had planned to solder the bullets but have had good luck with the crimped spades. I have used the heatshrink Ancor crimp terminals on boats with absolutely no issues. Price is shocking but I have quite a few left over.
Tom

 

[akbaradeli]

Hi,

 

[Grantura_MKI]

Not sure if I would trust that diagram. Indicator colour code is not correct for starters.

 

[DrEntropy]

Not sure if I would trust that diagram. Indicator colour code is not correct for starters.

Whole thing is bogus. A generalized, generic representation.

 

[Grantura_MKI]

Was attempting to be nice and it bit me....

 

[TomMull]

No worries D, you've helped me out in the past and trying to be helpful is what its all about. I suffer from foot in mouth quite regularly myself.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[DrEntropy]

Was attempting to be nice and it bit me....

Didn't bite you, D. That Akbaradeli character has posted troll BS in several forum sub-directories. It bit him.

 

[DrEntropy]

Just found this "pictogram" of the Plus 2 wiring, not at all certain where I got it nor its accuracy. But at least it's a bit more info.

With a grain of salt.

 

[TomMull]

That one has come up in my research. I didn't go too far with it as it is for a Plus 2 S 130. The dash wiring on the 130 is quite different from the earlier Plus 2 S like mine. Probably lots in common too but I'm going by the Federal Plus 2 S diagram from my manual that does not match my car but will when (If?) I finish. . On hold too as I'm getting the TR3 and the Herald in shape foe a few club drives.
Finally out on the road with the group!
Tom