1972 Dash Wiring Harness - Should I replace?

[Glen C.]

I'm close to completing the installation of a new forward wiring harness which was necessary. Next on the list is to pull the dash pad to install new speakers and then a correct radio. I know I have a wiring issue of some type since the current radio will not work (the previous owner removed an existing aftermarket radio and mounted an am/fm unit - I'm upgrading to a correct am/fm stereo unit). My questions are since I'm doing this should I just go ahead and install a new dash wiring harness rather than do a repair and then not worry about it in the future. Also the forward harness has been pretty simple but looking at the AIM the dash harness at least looks pretty complicated. I'm pretty much a novice at wiring - is this something I should consider farming out or just take my time and work through it slowly? I want to do as much of the work on the car myself as possible. That's one of the reasons I bought her.

Thanks,

Glen

[Bill C.]

Re: 1972 Dash Wiring Harness - Should I replace?

If you are concerned about wire condition - I would at the very least remove the main harness and inspect sections.

You can carefully untape and retape it. There is correct wrapping available.
If there are connectors missing or sctions of the harness are brittle - short of splicing and repairing and new harness would be needed.

It is an expensive harness to just replace - it is available from Lectric Limited and from what I have seen from their products - most likely "spot on".

Just one bit of info - for what its worth - wires develope corrosion on the inside. So just becuase they look good does not mean they are good.
Generally the inside dash/main harness lives lots longer than all the other external harnesses - but they can fail too.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1972 Dash Wiring Harness - Should I replace?

Glen, I believe that only part of the dash harness that hooks to the factory radio is the power plug. everthing else is a sperate harness. for the speakers and amp. I could be wrong as I Don't have a dia. in front of me.

The one part of the wiring haresss you may be able to get away is the dash harness as its not exposed to the elements as the under the hood stuff is. As in Bills post the harness can be repaired as most of the plastic connectors and connections can be replaced. I had just replaced the headlight plastic connector and some brass connections of my 63, and a few on my72 were also done. Its best to keep what original when possible. the key when taking something apart is take some pictures and remember the routing of the harness, Around the column area is where you don't want to pinch a wire when bolting up, and sharp edges of the bird cage that may ground and cause the fuse to blow.

[Bill L.]

Re: 1972 Dash Wiring Harness - Should I replace?

I'm close to completing the installation of a new forward wiring harness which was necessary. Next on the list is to pull the dash pad to install new speakers and then a correct radio. I know I have a wiring issue of some type since the current radio will not work (the previous owner removed an existing aftermarket radio and mounted an am/fm unit - I'm upgrading to a correct am/fm stereo unit). My questions are since I'm doing this should I just go ahead and install a new dash wiring harness rather than do a repair and then not worry about it in the future. Also the forward harness has been pretty simple but looking at the AIM the dash harness at least looks pretty complicated. I'm pretty much a novice at wiring - is this something I should consider farming out or just take my time and work through it slowly? I want to do as much of the work on the car myself as possible. That's one of the reasons I bought her.

Thanks,

Glen

I was able to have the dash harness on my 70 completely refurbished and re-wrapped. They replaced all the cut radio wires and and other wires that bubba had cut in to. Came back looking great. It is installed and works perfectly. The place that did it is in New Jersey but the name escapes me at the moment.

Bill

[Tom L.]

Re: 1972 Dash Wiring Harness - Should I replace?

Just curious, is it an early built '72?? If so the harnesses that are availible may not be correct. The wiring for the seat belt warning light is different for early and late cars. I have an early '72 and asked Lectric Limited at Carlisle a few years back if they made a harness with accomodations for the early cars, they said they did not. I haven't checked since but I'm just wondering if the harness is, or will ever be made for an early '72. Good luck!

[Bill L.]

Re: 1972 Dash Wiring Harness - Should I replace?

FYI- The name of the company in New Jersey that re-furbished the dash harness is M Parker Auto Works. They are in Bellmawr, NJ

[Jack H.]

Re: 1972 Dash Wiring Harness - Should I replace?

I'm biased here...as I'm NOT a fan of Lectric Limited. But, I DO like M&H Fabricators as they're not only another GM licensee, but sticklers for getting it right!

The offer FOUR different dash harness assemblies for 1972 cars. The differences key on early vs. late with regard to the seat belt warning system and with or without A/C. So, there IS a source for the before/after running change in '72 on the seat belt detection system...

[Jim D.]

Re: 1972 Dash Wiring Harness - Should I replace?

I'm biased here...as I'm NOT a fan of Lectric Limited. But, I DO like M&H Fabricators as they're not only another GM licensee, but sticklers for getting it right!

I agree. I've installed LL harness' before and there always seems to be an issue or two with them. I just installed all new harness' from M&H in my 65 and not only were they 100% identical to the originals, everything fit and functioned perfectly. I tried LL harness' first but sent them back as they were incorrect.

[Bill L.]

Re: 1972 Dash Wiring Harness - Should I replace?

I concur with using M&H as they even reused some of the connectors off my original harness that are no longer available. I carefully removed the connector and the used it to make a new harness. The connector was one used on the starter.

Now getting the routing of a new dash harness just right can be a real bear. That is one BIG reason I had mine refurbished. That harness basically has only one way to go in that works so that the dash will install and line up. Getting the dash back together properly on my 70 was probably the most challenging task to date.

Bill

[Clark E.]

Re: 1972 Dash Wiring Harness - Should I replace?

I'm restoring a '70 C60 w/ power windows and replaced all the harnesses using M&H products. They instruct you to lay out the old and new harnesses which I did and found a color and fitting issue with one wire on the A/C harness. M&H asked me to send them both harnesses and they quickly modified their harness and returned it at no charge. Great service...Clark

[Glen C.]

Re: 1972 Dash Wiring Harness - Should I replace?

Thanks everyone. I'll check the condition and any "modifications" first then decide if I can just repair it or if it needs replacing. I used Lectric Limited for the forward wiring harness but will check M and H if I need to do the dash or any of the other harnesses.

Glen