The whole thing looks intimdating. But maybe not so much once I really
get into it. Thanks for the tip about cuting and splicing.

BTW - I have a pair of these '88 GL's, so I do have something as a guide.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

On 8/23/2011 5:21 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> Very good advise there John,
>
> I don't think you'll find the wiring harness actually that bad to deal
> with ..
> once you get past the ugliness of it.
> I got one nice 87 GL with an engine fire.
> The main bundle coming aft for gauges, tail lights, ignition voltage,
> etc..
> is on the left ....on top of the frame , forward of the firewall.
> About 20 wires there in a bundle.
>  That part wasn't burnt, so I cut there..
> and spliced on a good used rear wiring harness and that worked just fine.
>
> the fuel injection ..that is a separate harness of course..
> usually you will just get a complete good used one.  It's basically a
> simple plug n' play deal.
>
> there is only one part of all the wiring at the rear of a vanagon that
> does not just unplug or unscrew.
> That's where license plate wire or wires go through the body right
> above the license plate lights.
> Looks to me that in production..........they ran a wire or wires
> though a hole, then crimped on a connector ..
> and it won't withdraw back out through the hole it goes through ..
> that wire or wires, you need to cut.
> But all the rest of it ..either bolt/screw connection, or plug-on
> connector ...or relay socket that should be on the new used harness.
> All pretty nice to deal with actually.
>
> It really helps to have another similar van to look at btw !!
> that would vastly reduce the 'mystery' factor for you.
> have fun !
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 12:46 PM
> Subject: Engine Bay Electrical Fire
>
>
>>  I have begun pulling the burned wiring harness that is in the engine
>> bay out of the vehicle. What a nightmare this is going to be - replacing
>> the thing. I split the cover of the harness to see the extent of damage
>> and all those wires are burned - insulation melted and charred. Nothing
>> salvageable. The whole harness has to go. I haven't asked around yet
>> about a replacement. A couple of fine Volks have offered, but I'm not
>> there yet. It will be a few days. I'm planning to photograph this effort
>> for posterity for the list, in case anyone else ever has to do it. Out
>> of this effort already comes this admonition - Inspect  your engine bay
>> today for chafing, rubbing, vibrating, hoses, wires, etc. Be sure
>> nothing is touching something else unless it was intended that way. Tie
>> things off, add chafing strips, install plastic wraps around plumbing,
>> hoses and wires. You DO NOT want the trouble I've got.
>>
>> I confess - in my view, the WBX engines are as close to an opposed
>> cylinder aircraft engine as one can get without flying. Lots and lots of
>> wires, hoses, plumbing, cables, etc. running everywhere. And it has all
>> the same hassles. All that rubbing, chafing, vibrating, cracking - same,
>> same. Routinely inspect your engine, same as a 50 and 100 hour
>> inspection on an airplane. Give it a thorough going over, write down all
>> the dings on a list, then go back and fix them, checking off the list
>> as  you go. It's the only way. Airplanes have to have an annual
>> inspection where the machine is brought back up to as near new as
>> possible once a year. It's the law. Without it - the license is not
>> valid. Our Vanagons need that kind of inspection as well.
>>
>> John
>>
>> --
>> John Rodgers
>> Clayartist and Moldmaker
>> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
>> Chelsea, AL
>> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>
>
>