Wiring Behind Dash

[Glade]

Where do you start!!??

Had some tell tale lights fitted to the dash for the foglight and main beam for the MOT (new requirements or BS??), and as a result of the local mechanic poking around back there I seem to have had a few issues.

Wire fell off back of starter button, wires coming off the back of fuel gauges... fairly basic stuff.

I knew it was a mess back there, but when I was sorting the starter button and gauge I found out it's a fking horrendous tangle, lots of disconnected connectors, a few dodgy joins.

Might be a winter project to fit a carbon dashboard, get some nice switches and maybe a digi-dash of some kind (I have unlabelled toggles at the moment).

So anyone have any advice!!??

[Steve_D]

Sit down with pen and paper and work out how many wires actually need to leave the dash and go to/from the car.
Far less than you would think as lots of the wiring is common along the back of the dash...instrument lighting being an example. One good earth, one permanent +12v, one ignition switched +12v etc.

Label those and fit one or more connectors.

You can then put the dash on the bench and make a nice neat job of it coming out to the other half of the connectors.
After that you can take the dash out any time you like in the knowledge it will just plug back in and work.

Steve

[Glade]

Sounds like a plan!!!

Now for some sneaky shopping without the Mrs noticing!

[gtmdriver]

I made my dash panel detachable and wired it so that the whole thing could be disconnected on a couple of multiplugs.



I also did the same with the fuse box and relays.

[Steve_D]

Those connectors GTMDRIVER is using are just the right type. They are easy to install, do not need to be waterproof and have large enough contacts to carry any of your likely loads.

11 way connector kit (both halves and pins) £3.54 and 8 way £1.88 from Polevolt so no great expence.

Steve

[gtmdriver]

I got all my stuff from Vehicle Wiring Products.

[Fastpedeller]

gtmdriver said:

I made my dash panel detachable and wired it so that the whole thing could be disconnected on a couple of multiplugs.



I also did the same with the fuse box and relays.

A first class job! Was the dash for the GTM or the Fugitive? I'm guessing GTM...

[gtmdriver]

The GTM Coupe.

I'm using a Digidash on the Fugitive as there isn't actually a dash area as such. It may even end up in the centre console.

[Fastpedeller]

gtmdriver said:

The GTM Coupe.

I'm using a Digidash on the Fugitive as there isn't actually a dash area as such. It may even end up in the centre console.

Any scope for fitting it to the steering column?

[Fastpedeller]

gtmdriver said:

The GTM Coupe.

I'm using a Digidash on the Fugitive as there isn't actually a dash area as such. It may even end up in the centre console.

Any scope for fitting it to the steering column?

[gtmdriver]

Possibly, but that area's a bit fluid at the moment as I'm still trying to work out how I'm going to fit the plastic shrouds over the switchgear on the Mini column.

When I bought it someone had fitted a plastic sweetie jar in place.