Wiring Harness Compatability Question

[trestlehed]

I'm looking at buying a wiring harness from a forum member for my 1987 4wd auto trans van. The wiring harness for sale is from a 1987 dlx 2wd 5 speed van. Anyone know if it's compatible with my van?

Thanks.

[llamavan]

Which wiring harness? There's a bunch of 'em ...

Gwen

[timsrv]

What's your objective? Are you simply wanting to repair damage or are you wanting to add options to your van? The wire harness is one of the 1st things installed on the chassis, so replacing can be a major PITA.

I'm currently reworking the harness's on my son's 94 Corolla. Talk about a BIG job! His transmission failed (3 speed auto) so I upgraded him to a 4 speed auto. The old transmission was old tech shifting but the new one is electronic shift. Everything is different.......even the ECU and the instrument cluster. Even the pins for the ECU harness are in different positions.............so I've been slowly mapping out and rewiring things. Had I known the extent of the job ahead of time he'd be stuck with a 3 speed :no:.

[trestlehed]

The plastic clip on the wiring harness plug that plugs into the back of the airflow meter box is broken. Right now the plug is zippy-tied onto the box. And the van runs great...
Should I just put a bunch of epoxy around the plug and be happy with it?

I don'y really want to deal with a new wiring harness if I can avoid it.

[timsrv]

Just replace that plug. You can unlock the pins and slide them out, then slide/lock them into the new connector. If you don't have the tools and/or ability to swap the original pins, you could just cut and splice the wires......but I would recommend moving pins. Tim

[trestlehed]

So how/where can I get a new connector? Are they available thru Toyota/Napa?

[timsrv]

Hack one off of a salvage yard van. If you can't find a van I'm guessing Toyota used that connector in other vehicles from the same era. Maybe the guy with the harness will hack and sell just the connector you need??? FWIW all vans 84-89 use the same MAF and the same connector.

[trestlehed]

Ok, thanks again for the help and info Tim. It's always appreciated.:thmbup:

[djshimon]

If you do replace the harness by removing the pins, learn how to do it first and practice getting them out. The pins could be screwed up pretty easy. I don't know the proper way(or tool used)to do it, but I'm sure you could find out.

[trestlehed]

Yeah, I've never done anything like that before. For the time being I'm going to let the zippy-ties do their job.

So if their is a pin removal tool... Try Napa or any auto parts store?

[timsrv]

I don't have a part number but here's a picture of one of my electrical pin removal tools. I have several in a set, but this is the one I use most while working on the van.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a23/timsrv/TVT%20pics/electrical/IMG_0445.jpg

I purchased this from Snap-on about 20 years ago. I'm sure other tool vendors sell similar tools, and I'm also sure other household items may work (like a sewing needle or paper clip), but this is what I use for these type electrical connectors.

If you look inside the plug you will see little square slots below the metal pins.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a23/timsrv/TVT%20pics/electrical/IMG_0444.jpg

Take the pin removal tool and stick the most appropriately size probe in a slot.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a23/timsrv/TVT%20pics/electrical/IMG_0446.jpg

While the tool is in the slot, use your other hand to gently wiggle and tug at the wire on the back side. Sometimes you need to wiggle the pin tool at the same time. You will know when you get it just right as the pin will release and easily slide out the wire side of the plug.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a23/timsrv/TVT%20pics/electrical/IMG_0447.jpg

After the pin has released, use a sharp scribe (a sewing needle will work) to reshape the locking tab on the bottom of the pin. Bend it about the same as what you see in the picture below. This will insure the pin will stay locked once you install it into the replacement plastic connector.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a23/timsrv/TVT%20pics/electrical/IMG_0448.jpg

[trestlehed]

As always, super-awesome write-up with pics!

Thanks again Tim!