Headlight / engine wiring issues

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Skrubski

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Ontario, Canada
Okay, I don't know much yet, I bought the car to kind of learn the ropes as I go and electrical is very intimidating for me so any help is greatly appreciated.

I've had no lights in the front of the car since day one, I've done basic testing with a multimeter, dielectric greased many connections, but the wiring is quite ****. I think the previous owner fooled around with it too much.

Do I buy a new harness for the front? I'm not sure where to go from here.

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The wiring looks like someone really got to it. Depending on if it’s Available for your car, you can order from Year One an exact replica of your harness. They are made by one of the original companies that built the harnesses way back when
 
If you like working for .50 cents an hour, this can be straightened out but it will take a lot of time. You will have to determine why there are so many splices in it, and then you can re-wrap the whole thing. At this point it would be better to find a replacement, new or used. It is not a good idea to zip-tie spark plug wires together, some separation is best.
 
If you like working for .50 cents an hour, this can be straightened out but it will take a lot of time. You will have to determine why there are so many splices in it, and then you can re-wrap the whole thing. At this point it would be better to find a replacement, new or used. It is not a good idea to zip-tie spark plug wires together, some separation is best.

All the engine work was done by the previous owner, I'll probably just get a new harness. Will it have the same pin connectors that connect to the back of the engine bay? Because the rest of the wiring in the car is great.
 
The wiring looks like someone really got to it. Depending on if it’s Available for your car, you can order from Year One an exact replica of your harness. They are made by one of the original companies that built the harnesses way back when


I'll check out the Year One stuff today, I'd rather buy it than fiddle with something I'm not familiar with! I asked the other user, but will it have the same pin connectors that will just plug into the socket against the back of the engine bay?
 
All the engine work was done by the previous owner, I'll probably just get a new harness. Will it have the same pin connectors that connect to the back of the engine bay? Because the rest of the wiring in the car is great.
If you buy the harness made for your year and model car, it should drop right in. I bought one for a 70 Dart one time - perfect fit on all the lengths of wires, the connnectors and the bulkhead connector.
 
If you buy the harness made for your year and model car, it should drop right in. I bought one for a 70 Dart one time - perfect fit on all the lengths of wires, the connnectors and the bulkhead connector.

Well that's awesome news, I'll start searching ! Thanks for your help and quick responses
 
A new harness would work fine, except it still has the rotten routing for power to your headlights.

I'd look for a good used one for low dollars and relay kit the headlights. Since you have to spend either time or money to fix that rats nest you have.
 
A new harness would work fine, except it still has the rotten routing for power to your headlights.

I'd look for a good used one for low dollars and relay kit the headlights. Since you have to spend either time or money to fix that rats nest you have.

Oh the harness doesn't come with all the bulb connections??
 
1966-74 A B E-Body Engine Forward Light Harness 1974 A Body V8 Built Before October 12

Is this something like what I'd be looking for? There's so many I'm unsure. It's a 74 dart sport
We're not going to know the specifics any better than you.

You may be able to estimate the build date from the VIN
The VIN will indicate which plant the car was made and sequence number.

See if your car still has a fender tag. Fender tags and build sheets have a lot more info on it. There's some folks here who can help you decode the options and what the dates represent.

Failing that you will have to figure out what change occured to the harness. Year One or M & H ought to know since they are the ones offering it.

Save your old harness. There may be parts you'll want to salvage in future or at least check for reference.

As far as the relay system suggested by Crackedback, that's would be an addition you can implement later. It uses a relay to route power from the alternator to the headlights. The advantage is a much shorter route with far fewer connections and heavier gage wiring. With most A-bodies it results in more power to the headlights and cooler wiring at bulkhead connections and other weak spots.
 
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