Working on cleaning up and removing my wiring harness
07-21-10, 07:54 PM
#1
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Working on cleaning up and removing my wiring harness
So today I started working on a semi wire tuck while Im waiting for my intake
manifolds to be powder coated. However, its overwhelming me really. There are
so many unused plugs from my emissions, AC/PS, ect removal that I dont know
what goes or stays anymore. I'm trying to trace back some of the harness for
things I removed and get rid of the wiring completely as well as reroute some
stuff.
So, What 'unused' plugs should stay? There is one by the pressure sensor that
looks like it should remain. I know there is that yellow connector used to jump the
fuel pump. Anything else? There was a cluster of plugs that I have no idea on near
the yellow fuel pump wire, Im guessing its emissions stuff. Also one the rear of the
UIM there is a piece that plugs in, kind of cylindrical, but there are two plugs that
fit it, does it matter which one? Also there are a few plugs near the driver
headlight, near that plug that has 12v switched (its common source for electric fan
relays). Can they go?
Lastly, what wiring diagrams could be helpfull? Im not much of an electrical guy so
the haynes manual diagrams were a bit confusing. Id appreciate any help or
overall tips. I can try and throw up some pics tomorrow, and maybe turn this into
a semi write-up for anyone looking to tuck their bays.
manifolds to be powder coated. However, its overwhelming me really. There are
so many unused plugs from my emissions, AC/PS, ect removal that I dont know
what goes or stays anymore. I'm trying to trace back some of the harness for
things I removed and get rid of the wiring completely as well as reroute some
stuff.
So, What 'unused' plugs should stay? There is one by the pressure sensor that
looks like it should remain. I know there is that yellow connector used to jump the
fuel pump. Anything else? There was a cluster of plugs that I have no idea on near
the yellow fuel pump wire, Im guessing its emissions stuff. Also one the rear of the
UIM there is a piece that plugs in, kind of cylindrical, but there are two plugs that
fit it, does it matter which one? Also there are a few plugs near the driver
headlight, near that plug that has 12v switched (its common source for electric fan
relays). Can they go?
Lastly, what wiring diagrams could be helpfull? Im not much of an electrical guy so
the haynes manual diagrams were a bit confusing. Id appreciate any help or
overall tips. I can try and throw up some pics tomorrow, and maybe turn this into
a semi write-up for anyone looking to tuck their bays.
07-21-10, 08:02 PM
#2
There are 2 white 6-plug connectors at each shock tower, I believe they only have 4 wires running to them. This was for the adjustable suspension option, and the car will have the connectors regardless. You can take those out.
If you took the ac and ps out, take the wires for those out!
Really, was/is the car running fine? If it's all fine, then whatever was plugged into your mystery connectors didn't seem to matter.
If you took the ac and ps out, take the wires for those out!
Really, was/is the car running fine? If it's all fine, then whatever was plugged into your mystery connectors didn't seem to matter.
07-21-10, 09:20 PM
#3
Wiring diagrams here.
I just completely rewired a 3rd gen (pulled 52 lbs. of crap out) and can totally relate to your confusion although the 2nd gen is much simpler.
Starting with an intact car, mark/label every connector that is still plugged in...EVERY one!
Do not assume that you'll remember because you won't.
Then study the diagrams till you understand how the various subsystems work (pay close attention to the headlight/retractor circuits, they are kind of tricky).
Then pull the harnesses out of the car.
Now you must decide how radical your "tuck" is going to be.
Will you keep the stock fuseboxes/relays or replace them with something else?
How hidden are the components/wiring going to be and where are you relocating things?
How much simpler will your harness be than the factory unit?
Once you've made these decisions, you can start.
Harvest the connectors from the Mazda harness and begin to remake the circuits you will be keeping.
Ohm every connection so you know there's continuity.
"Hot test" major circuits (headlights, wipers. etc.) as you go (hot test= apply power and see if the component does what it's supposed to).
It's a big job, made more difficult by Mazda's fondness for changing wire color mid-stream, using multiple harnesses/connectors between point A and point B and running one wire from harness to harness for no particularly good reason (as an example...the horn wire on a 3rd gen jumps into 5 (IIRC) different subharnesses between the relay and the horn button).
Halfway through you'll be hating life but you'll be proud when you're finished.
I just completely rewired a 3rd gen (pulled 52 lbs. of crap out) and can totally relate to your confusion although the 2nd gen is much simpler.
Starting with an intact car, mark/label every connector that is still plugged in...EVERY one!
Do not assume that you'll remember because you won't.
Then study the diagrams till you understand how the various subsystems work (pay close attention to the headlight/retractor circuits, they are kind of tricky).
Then pull the harnesses out of the car.
Now you must decide how radical your "tuck" is going to be.
Will you keep the stock fuseboxes/relays or replace them with something else?
How hidden are the components/wiring going to be and where are you relocating things?
How much simpler will your harness be than the factory unit?
Once you've made these decisions, you can start.
Harvest the connectors from the Mazda harness and begin to remake the circuits you will be keeping.
Ohm every connection so you know there's continuity.
"Hot test" major circuits (headlights, wipers. etc.) as you go (hot test= apply power and see if the component does what it's supposed to).
It's a big job, made more difficult by Mazda's fondness for changing wire color mid-stream, using multiple harnesses/connectors between point A and point B and running one wire from harness to harness for no particularly good reason (as an example...the horn wire on a 3rd gen jumps into 5 (IIRC) different subharnesses between the relay and the horn button).
Halfway through you'll be hating life but you'll be proud when you're finished.
07-22-10, 08:08 AM
#6
Yikes! don't think I'll be doing that anytime soon (read: ever). I just cut off the unused plugs for all the solenoids and emissons crap I didn't need and isolated all the wires, then wrapped them up and heat shrinked them into neat little bundles.
When I first did emissions removal the consensus was not to cut those plugs, so I listened....however its MUCH cleaner and easier to work with now that they're gone, and I haven't noticed a bit of difference.
When I first did emissions removal the consensus was not to cut those plugs, so I listened....however its MUCH cleaner and easier to work with now that they're gone, and I haven't noticed a bit of difference.
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07-22-10, 04:57 PM
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I dont know if I want to completely pull out my harness it I dont have too. Im hoping
I can strip it down to just the wires and separate what stays. Once I get all the other
crap out I can reroute and relocate the stock harness. I want to relocate the fuse
box to the otherside of the radiator under my cover panel. Whats the consensus on
extending wires? Should I just use butt connectors/soder? And I'll obviously wrap
everything when Im done.
I can strip it down to just the wires and separate what stays. Once I get all the other
crap out I can reroute and relocate the stock harness. I want to relocate the fuse
box to the otherside of the radiator under my cover panel. Whats the consensus on
extending wires? Should I just use butt connectors/soder? And I'll obviously wrap
everything when Im done.
07-22-10, 06:35 PM
#9
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I could go on for Days about wiring harnesses.I had to Go through 3 of them.(main harnesses)
I also Totally Rewired the car From scratch.Not One wire was on the car.
I am still Scared to eat Spaghetti!
I also Totally Rewired the car From scratch.Not One wire was on the car.
I am still Scared to eat Spaghetti!
07-22-10, 09:02 PM
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Man, as soon as I think I have this car figured out (FC) it face palms me with some something new. A cruise control clutch switch? Really? All these wires, relays, and switches are bad for a plumbers brain.
07-24-10, 04:59 PM
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Well Ive been looking at the diagrams best I can, I think that will help. But many of the unused
connectors I don't know how to locate in a schematic. It's been way too hot in Virginia to actually
get any work done. But Ill be getting to it first of the week and will be bumping this thread.
connectors I don't know how to locate in a schematic. It's been way too hot in Virginia to actually
get any work done. But Ill be getting to it first of the week and will be bumping this thread.
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