Dash Harness

[NCBluebird]

I have a 71 Satellite/RoadRunner clone. No dash lights, I tried with replacing the headlight switch first, no joy

Essentially when I crawl under the dash and I begin to want to test lights to source etc, let's face it, it's a lost cause, over the years so many previous owners have hacked into this harness in multiple places for various things like gauges, radio, extra lights etc, it's next to impossible to track these down, and figure out what's going on in this nest.

I'm wondering if there is someone that just makes a replacement dash harness to factory specs, I can just rip out whats under there and replace it back to starting point A

my gut tells me no, if thats the truth, anyone got suggestions, this is a nightmare, I'd rather have rust to fix

 

[roadrunnerman]

there is a place that makes wiring harness, i just don't have the book or website off the top of my head right now,but i'm sure somebody here will chime in with an answer today.

 

[gschmidt211]

Is it a standard or a Rallye Dash? Do you have a 1971 Shop Manual?

 

[NCBluebird]

it's a Rally dash but no tach, 150 speedo. They hacked the dash for a DIN radio also,

No shop manual, wish i had one, have a nice wiring diagram but this is just not my area of expertise so I'm stuggling. My dad used to be an excellent auto electrical guy but he's far too old now and has forgotten too much sadly.

 

[MRHWS]

Check your fuses. Not sure on a '71, but you should have all 20 amp except for one 15 amp. Year One make a harness, but it's $599

 

[NCBluebird]

$599 yuck! but I bet if I paid a decent electrics guy I'd have more than in labor LOL.

The map light works, the interior lights work it's just the gauge lights that don't, which is why I went after the headlight switch, thinking the dimmer part was toast.

 

[gschmidt211]

Electrical work is much easier than it seems. First thing you need to do is get the shop manual for the wiring diagram.

Start at the problem and work your way backwards until you find the problem.

If you have a lot of splices from previous owners, it may be worth taking the harness out during the fall winter and going over every wire and connection. It really is not a big deal. I did it when I changed my standard dash to the rallye dash in my 1972 Satellite. It took me a bit to get over the fright of electrical work, but once I dove in, it was not bad.

One thing you may want to check is the harness connection at the switch. Sometimes, they become loose and the electricity will arch, which melts the plastic. This will then give you a bad connection and can lead to a dash fire. You can disconnect this from under the dash. Use a flashlight and take a look at the plastic connector once you disconnect it from the switch. If it is melted, this may be causing an issue.

 

[NCBluebird]

*UPDATE*

So last night I was cruising home n I-77 coming out of Rock Hill SC from a cruise night, it's ood driving at night with no dash lights at all to be honest. My buddy was just passing me on the right to exit at his place and I did the Beep Beep horn as he went by, lo and behold, m dash lights came on, quite dim but there they were!

Must have some sort of short or such within the horn circuit

 

[1badgtx]

Hey sounds like you may have found your problem!!!If all else fails you can get a harness from these guys..www.wildcatsmopars.com
I got a harness for my 67 GTX from these guys...I had the same problem as you..I went with a good used one because i,ve used the painless kits before...There was nothing painless about it!!!

Petty Blue 67 GTX

 

[Tuner]

Check out painless wiring systems. Painlesswiring.com

 

[MRHWS]

While you are at it, check your fuse. It should only be a 5 amp. All the rest are 20 amp.

 

[scotts74birds]

My lights were boogered-up at the firewall connector on the engine side. I cant figure yet if was them, or the melting caused by the ammeter wiring next to it.