Wiring Problems

[smokem777]

Ive been ok with having a rats nest under my dash. Recently the car cut out on me while driving home. No headlights or taillights, no fuel pump, no radio. However my interior lights still worked. I decided to save myself the headache and just decided to rewire the entire car front to back. Painless has numerous kits from my car (69 camaro) which do i go with????? im not looking to have power windows and heated seats or anything like that. but the 12 circuit wiring harnesses all seem to run the same set of accesorys but why the $100-$200 price difference? has anybody had any success with painless? any info would be helpful. i miss my baby and want her back on the road

[GregWeld]

If you're not SUPER familiar with wiring.... find a pro shop and have them do it. Wiring an entire car is fairly straight forward IF you know what you're doing.... if you don't - then it's very frustrating and I've known guys that have tried and their car never ran again.

It requires stripping out most of the interior and dash components to do RIGHT...

Ron Francis probably makes the best wiring on the market - having said that I just wired a complete car using Painless and it was just fine.

[smokem777]

Im an ASE certified technician. but this is gonna be the first time ive ever tackled a wiring job as intense as an entire car though. The more i read the painless manuals for the harnesses im looking at the more comfortable i feel.

[GregWeld]

Okay --- you're at least mechanical.... then you can do it.

[smokem777]

thanks for the encouraging words

[carbuff]

Take a look at the AAW sets as well. And unless the cost difference is too high, look at the Classic Retrofit kit (I think that's what it is called). Those are designed to be a more direct fit rather than you having to figure out all the wiring yourself.

Good luck!

[GregWeld]

Yeah -- and I misstated the company I used for the Camaro -- I used American Auto Wire (AAW) not Painless.

I think I used their Highway 22 kit with a trunk mount extension kit. Nice stuff.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

I would go with the AAW also. The PL stuff is nice but a bit over priced for as "general" as it is.

Another tip for a fellow (ask someone else) certified gear head. Even if you are replacing your harness, take notes of routing, mark and or label the old one as it is coming out. You'll be thankful you did when you start putting your new one in weeks from now. Also match it up when you get the new one. Keep length, connector and hold down locations in mind when you are looking at the two.

[smokem777]

Thanks guys!!! I've never even looked into AAW. Has anybody had any success completely hiding the harness from view? I know the stock one (with random spliced additions over the years) that I have was extremely noticeable! I'm hoping for no visible wires when I open the hood, trunk or any inside obviously.

[GregWeld]

My '56 Nomad engine bay....







My Brother in Laws 69 Camaro engine bay....









My '32 Ford engine bay....










Very few wires showing -- it can be done -- but it takes a lot of planning... the '32 and '56 are fuel injected so there are even more wires to hide!