Help with interior wiring harness routing on 69 convertible

[Richard R.]

I have been wrestling with this thing for way too long and I admit defeat, for the moment. The picture below shows the speedo/tach connected to the interior harness. for some reason, I can't get the darn thing to fit properly on the lower left side of the dash panel. It mates well at the dash pad and the left upper door jam screw, but I can't seem to get it any closer to the lower door jam screw than 1/2 inch. I am afraid of breaking it if I force it too much. I have already repaired some cracks and reinforced some weak spots on it.

I have removed all things remotely causing a bind including the fresh air vent tube, speedo and tach wire. Coming from the fuse panel, the main harness runs straight up the firewall then along the bottom of the wiper tray/dash area, then drops down before the two support rods that connect the bird cage to the steering column bracket. should the main harness go either between the support rods or above the support rods?

Please help - I'm losing it........

Rich

wiring harness routing left side.JPG

[Richard R.]

Re: Help with interior wiring harness routing on 69 convertible

just putting this back on top since no one has responded yet

[Mark E.]

Re: Help with interior wiring harness routing on 69 convertible

I've done this three times but never with a convertible with support brackets. From what I can tell, the 1970 AIM (the one I have) doesn't show routing of the harness relative to these brackets.

If the lower left corner isn't going into place, you may need to remove the seat (if you haven't already), stick you head up under and see what's causing the interference. Then you may have a better idea for routing for the harness. Given what you've already removed, what's left besides the harness itself?

One lesson I've learned: Install the carpet and kick panel first. They're difficult to fit with the dash already installed.

[Richard R.]

Re: Help with interior wiring harness routing on 69 convertible

Thanks Mark,

I don't have the seats in so I have my head in there. Not fun. But from what I can tell it is the interference between the back of the speedo and the brackets. After studying it further, it's hard to believe the factory routed the wire harness through the support brackets. I have to believe it avoids the brackets by dropping done then going back up on the dash side of the brackets, then over the steering column. I studied a restored 69 convertible and the shop ran the harness along the bottom of the speedo/tach and below the steering column to avoid this headache. I am trying to get it as close to factory as possible. I'll keep fiddling with it.

Thanks for the tip on the carpets/kick panel. I have the carpet in already.

Rich

[Mark E.]

Re: Help with interior wiring harness routing on 69 convertible

I have to believe it avoids the brackets by dropping done then going back up on the dash side of the brackets, then over the steering column. Rich

I think you're on the right track with the harness. The '70 AIM is a vague drawing (why didn't GM use photos for assembly instructions?) but it looks like the harness goes up from the fuse block, through a clip located to the left of the column, then through a clip behind the speedo, then through a clip behind the tach. Do you see those clips?

Something is wrong if the back of the speedo hits the braces. Did you remove/replace the speedo from the dash? Is it possible it's not seated into the dash properly?

AIM doesn't show the convertible braces. Hopefully someone who's done this with a convertible will chime in about the braces vis a vis the harness...

[Richard R.]

Re: Help with interior wiring harness routing on 69 convertible

I am done with my yard work so I can get back at it here.

Mark, yes, I have those clips and probably it's contributing to some of my angst by trying to use them. The back of the speedo/tach doesn't hit the braces, but the space left for running the wiring harness around/through just doesn't seem adequate. I have the original that I removed (tip here since it was good that I am replacing this - the original had the insulation on 3 wires wore completely off), and I am trying to follow the bends in it. I also have to be careful the main harness doesn't damage the speedo/tach lights as well since there is a tendency to compress the back of wire coming from a light threating popping the light out or worse, cutting the wire.

I'm going back in. I am not going to let this &*^%$*&^$^&^$#$@#@ stop me!!

Rich

[Larry M.]

Re: Help with interior wiring harness routing on 69 convertible

Rich,

This Corvette Forum thread has several photos of 1969 dashboard wiring: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-routing.html

Larry

edit - photos may not be helpful - I just read the posts, and the photos are from a '72.

[Richard R.]

Re: Help with interior wiring harness routing on 69 convertible

Larry, thanks for the link. It was helpful. there was a picture showing the route of harness behind the speedo. The 72 picture is interesting but I don't think the LL harness for my 69 would be long enough. I may try it though.

Also, it confirms that I am not alone. This dash has been the single most frustrating part of this restoration. I've screwed around with it way too much. I am trying to fend off the "it's good enough" devil and get it right. but I am growing weak...

Yesterday, after several ins and outs with broken bulbs, popped out bulbs, vacuum hoses slipped into wrong spot, etc I thought I had it figured out. I have the main harness actually behind the steering column bracket, but I am pretty sure that isn't correct.

I am heading out to the garage for a few more hours of "fun" now.

Thanks,
Rich