TheSamba.com :: View topic - Pictures of Under-Dash Wiring?

Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:04 pm

Does anyone have pictures of the under-dash wiring? The wiring in my Thing above the fuse block looks like a bird's nest, and not a pretty one at that! Against the firewall there appears to be some blocks made from insulating material with holes for straps that appears to be where the various relays and switches were originally mounted instead of just floating around like mine are.

I'm trying to get the Thing in running order and then will address the wild wiring. I've already eliminated a mystery toggle switch from under the dash that I believe was a previous owner's attempt to operate the wipers without replacing the wiper switch. There are also some wire butts that I'm anxious to trace with an eye towards either eliminating or dressing them properly. Thanks!

Sun Jan 14, 2024 11:54 am

Pictures from my 74 Thing.

Sun Jan 14, 2024 12:09 pm

I don't think pictures will be very helpful because the "norm" of the underdash wiring is a rat's nest (with the possible exception of some OCD rewires). It simply came from the factory as a rat's nest.

I's best to attack one system at a time using the wiring diagram available in the Tech Section. I replaced the entire wiring system in my car and it was nearly impossible to make any order of it.

If I recall the wiring is not really a single unit but rather a group of subunits.

There's
"Main" - Mostly wire from the engine bay to under the dash.
"Front" - Underdash to front harness (Headlights, front fender lights, horn)
"Brake" - From Master cylinder to underdash
"Wiper" - From wiper to underdash

Then there what they call the dash wires (not really what you would call a harness). Mostly individual wires leading to/from switches and components that are impossible to group together. The color coding is your friend. PO modifications are the devil.

What I can tell you is that brand new wiring is a blessing. Gone are the brittle and corroded wires, insulation and connectors. Wire actually increases resistance over time giving you all sorts of headaches.

Good luck

Sun Jan 14, 2024 4:23 pm

LMAO! Thanks, Semper Dad. Those pics could have been from my car! I will likely replace some of the harnesses over time. I'm trying to stay concentrated on one issue at a time, but the Thing keeps trying to distract me with multiple problems popping up. Guess that's what you get when you buy a fifty year old car!

Mon Jan 15, 2024 8:49 am

Here's mine :wink:

Tue Jan 23, 2024 10:25 am

Thanks, everyone. It's going to take some tracing and dressing to get things 'tamed' under the dash. Still tracing stray wires and mystery switches. I'm making notes on the wiring diagram printout that I have so that the next person who has to look under the dash has a few clues. :lol: