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Wires are a mess.

4K views 14 replies 9 participants last post by  paultech6 
#1 ·
I have lots of electrical problems. Rear whipper and defroster don't work. Stereo doesn't work. Tail lights work when they want. Dash lights are dieing one by one. So I decided to pull out the dash. Install new radio and change bulbs.. well its more than that. Wires are hanging all over, wires and plugs to nowhere.Wires spliced into. Its a mess.With that said, here is todays issue. I have parts that I have no idea what they are. The first two were, at one time stuck to heater vent with double sided tape but are just hanging now. The third picture was zipp tied to dash frame above heater switch. I need to know what they are and do I need them. Hope someone can help, she is my only ride so I need her to start lol
 

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#3 ·
Looks like a bunch of security stuff. LoJAC, perhaps?

You need to be careful with that kind of thing. I would advise getting your factory service manual electrical supplement and understand how it was wired in. otherwise you may not get it started again. I have kicked that can down the road myself...
 
#12 ·
Im in the process of doing the same thing. I can pretty much tell the factory wiring from the add-on. I follow and cut if doesn't look like it was something I need. Most go to no where. I followed a wire from under the dash to under the hood to a relay. My jeep is bare bones with no extras not even fog lights. Cut the wire and disconnected the relay. It turned out it was a kill switch wire so jeep would not start. Luckily I backtracked and got it going again.
Be careful what you remove.
I removed my computer and all the related wires as part of a HEI install.

A schematic is absolutely necessary for any wiring project.
I have a FSM on CD and I simply print the pages that relate to the circuits that I'm working on and carry them out to the garage. Then I can make notes on them as I work and I can refer back to the notes if something comes up in the future.

I agree with removing any unused aftermarket circuits that a PO has installed. Most are clumsy and poorly done and it's impossible to figure out what the original intent was supposed to be. get rid of 'em.

Good Luck, L.M.
 
#5 ·
My jeep is a 95 yj, six cylinder,auto trans,fuel injected(I think, it doesn't have a round air filter). I have a wiring diagram, but not knowing what I am looking at makes it hard to figure out the diagram. One of the two parts that were mounted together behind glove box says it is a rechargeable battery. I am pretty sure that they were put in by PO for a stereo system. But I'm not sure. The third small black box looks original. It has the color and texture of the dash.
 
#7 ·
Yes I know it looked bad then but this is how it turned out. You said your Rear wiper and your rear defroster didn't work you might want to check your Smart relay which on my 93 is located next to my E brake pedal. it will have 4-5 wires going to it.The part # is 56005146. I bought mine at Jeepers Creepers it was $43.99. This relay is the culprit many times of why things don't work in the rear of your jeep (wiper ,defroster, rear cab light). hope this helps.
 

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#8 ·
Your original wiring is all identified by color. Pick a wire, ID same and go to the next. When you ID something that doesn't belong, trace to source and eliminate it if not needed.

Cleaning up a wiring mess is like eating an elephant. One bite at a time, one wire at a time. Don't let it overwhelm you. With the factory diagrams and a little patience, you can fix it.

When you're done there will be no mystery when something else doesn't work. You'll just deal with it the same way.
 
#10 ·
"Cleaning up a wiring mess is like eating an elephant. One bite at a time, one wire at a time. Don't let it overwhelm you. With the factory diagrams and a little patience, you can fix it. "

Good advice. I chanted this while tackling my vacuum system.
 
#11 ·
Im in the process of doing the same thing. I can pretty much tell the factory wiring from the add-on. I follow and cut if doesn't look like it was something I need. Most go to no where. I followed a wire from under the dash to under the hood to a relay. My jeep is bare bones with no extras not even fog lights. Cut the wire and disconnected the relay. It turned out it was a kill switch wire so jeep would not start. Luckily I backtracked and got it going again.
Be careful what you remove.
 
#14 ·
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I t has snowing so I haven't been outside to do anything (no garage) but I am going out today. Plus I got a little discouraged when I put my elbow thru the floorboard on driver side while reaching for wires.But I am ready for battle again.
 
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