Dash Wiring Installation Questions

[moparsince60]

I have a 1971 Demon 340 with the factory Rallye Dash. I purchased and installed a new printed circuit board and Dash harness from Classic Industries. Two questions: The First, the original wiring was burnt where the harness connects to the steering column and someone before I bought the car replaced the larger red wire. Should I put a link in with a replaceable fuse so this won't happen again or do the new harnesses have that problem fixed? The second is, I am having trouble getting the main circular plug plugged into the circuit board. Is there a certain way to plug it in? Thanks everyone.

 

[Dana67Dart]

No real need to add fusable links unless you have added electrical loads.

As for the round connector you are aligning it to the keyway in the cir board correct?

It must be so nice to be working with flexible wires!

 

[WV64Signet]

trouble getting the main circular plug plugged into the circuit board.

Same issue here. M&H Harness, but on a 64 Valiant. Worked it on and off a couple of times being careful not to damage the pins or the board (original board) Everything works fine though it is not seated as deeply as the original. I'm let it go before I broke something.

 

[ESP47]

I'd maybe use an awl or something to widen the connectors out a little bit to make it easier to slip on. Dielectric grease would make it easier to slip on but it could just as easily make it more difficult to get off once the grease dries up and could pull a pin with it.

 

[67Dart273]

I was gonna suggest to caliper the connector male pins and find a nail, etc, grind the end to a smooth taper, and either hold in vise grips or a makeshift handle, to "work" the female connector pins a few times.

 

[Ricks70Duster340]

Wonder if just a bit of dielectric grease in the connector or on the pins would help?

 

[moparsince60]

No real need to add fusable links unless you have added electrical loads.

As for the round connector you are aligning it to the keyway in the cir board correct?

It must be so nice to be working with flexible wires!

A belated thank you Dana. I pointed to that wire on the steering column plug because my plug was burnt and someone did replace that area of the wire. Back in the early 1970's, certain A body wiring harnesses did catch on fire. It didn;t happen to a lot of them, but it did happen. I was able to get the plug on the all of the prongs. and then I lightly tapped the plug and it it o in. Hopae all is well Dana and thanks again.

 

[moparsince60]

Same issue here. M&H Harness, but on a 64 Valiant. Worked it on and off a couple of times being careful not to damage the pins or the board (original board) Everything works fine though it is not seated as deeply as the original. I'm let it go before I broke something.

Once I made triple sure the plugs were over the prongs, I went around the plug giving medium force taps with a hammer and a screwdriver. Belated thanks for your help WV64Signet

 

[moparsince60]

I'd maybe use an awl or something to widen the connectors out a little bit to make it easier to slip on. Dielectric grease would make it easier to slip on but it could just as easily make it more difficult to get off once the grease dries up and could pull a pin with it.

I tried what you said, made sure all the pegs and plugs lined up and gave some medium force taps around the connector and got it in there. Belated thanks for your help ESP47.

 

[moparsince60]

I was gonna suggest to caliper the connector male pins and find a nail, etc, grind the end to a smooth taper, and either hold in vise grips or a makeshift handle, to "work" the female connector pins a few times.

I was constantly looking to make sure each plug connector was over each peg, and when I did, I used a screwdriver and a hammer and struck around with medium force and got it in. A belated thank you for your help 67Dart273. I had a 273 two barrel in my 1967 Coronet 500. It was a fantastic engine that got great gas mileage.

 

[moparsince60]

After reading ESP47's reply, I decided against that. Once I made sure the plug terminals were lined up with the circuit board pegs, I used a screwdriver and hammer and gave medium force taps and it went in. Belated thanks for your help Rick.