Electric fire! New loom?

Had planned today as part of the many jobs needing doing, to replace the speedo cable. So got the gearbox end disconnected. Then decided to undo the clocks panel to see how much room was behind their for my hands.
All screws removed and as I moved the clocks out and away from the dash board I heard a "spark noise" then a few more. But before I had time to think my view was blocked by thick smoke...........
I quickly let go off the clocks and reached for the fire extinguisher. By the this time there was a faint orange glow and more smoke!!!

The small electric fire was quickly out, I then disconnected the battery prior to checking the damage (should have done this first, I know... Newbie mistake) and then sat their contemplating what could have happened if the fire hadn't gone out. As the landy was right next to the house with a full tank of petrol.

Damage: looks like a plastics melted mess behind the clocks about half the wires have had their plastic coating melted, together. But the rest looks ok! Ie the rear of the clocks and dash etc.

Looks like it started on the red/black inspection light wires.

I have read the other threads on this subject and seen that some have replaced theirs due to the loom getting brittle and fire prevention. But I am still in shock and not sure what/how to replace

The question is:

1. Which loom do I need to buy to replace the bits burnt behind the clocks?
2. Is it worth replacing the other looms whilst I am at it?
3. Most importantly is it easy enough to replace etc? For a landy newbie with basic mechanical know how? Who now thinks everything electrical on a land rover is like a fire waiting to happen!


Thanks for your help in pointing me in the right direction on this!

It may be cheaper to learn how to make you own loom, (you can make 'em for others and earn money too)...

How to build a professional motorsports quality wiring harness - Topic

Make your own wiring loom - Here's how I did mine... - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

http://www.lbthosting.com/dutton/others/ReWire.pdf

Thanks Dipypud have thought about making one! But still trying to work out the cost of wire and connectors etc
Plus I am still new to this game of looking after a 38 year old landy and my mechanical know as average

Sorry to hear of your trouble, I'v got to repair my speedo and replace a couple of bulbs, I will take your advice and disconect the battery!

Autosparks sell a complete loom. If all wires are like that, it might be worth replacing, I wouldn't like to be driving round and then have a fire in a town centre or somewhere like that with other people nearby.

Tam9433 said:

Thanks Dipypud have thought about making one! But still trying to work out the cost of wire and connectors etc
Plus I am still new to this game of looking after a 38 year old landy and my mechanical know as average

Click to expand...

as samc88 says try Autosparks ...

Autosparks, World leading supplier of classic car wiring looms

Dippypud said:

as samc88 says try Autosparks ...

Autosparks, World leading supplier of classic car wiring looms

Click to expand...

Just been on autosparks, trying to work out which loom I need.
Looks like it will be main and engine loom! Bt not sure wether to get the chassis loom as well!

If you can afford it I'd replace the lot, but doing your own repairs isn't too difficult. Wiring diagrams are simple to follow if you are methodical as they tell you exactly where each wire starts and finishes. My 1977 S3 has been plagued by poor wiring and I have slowly resolved the problems and replaced individual wires where necessary.

The best way to do it is to get a sheet of ply and lots of brads ...

You can get the old loom off, marking the joins with masking tape with what it connects to ... take lots of photos for where the earth points are and loom securing to the body...

Transfer by drawing and pin-out, the wire colours and route changes to the board...

have a look on the web loads of videos ...

Post some photos of the damage and strip the tape off in the area of damage might just be the aux wires damaged and these can be done away with or replaced.

+1 on shoot the lot.

The insulation on the Series and RRC vehicles in that age range had issues with UV and ozone - outside of the loom the ends would go brittle and disintegrate, leaving bare wire in their place. Had to replace the EFI harness on an RRC for that issue, and had the probleem with an earlier RRC as well.

I think you're into false economy trying to fix tthis - the wiring in that thing is likely past its sell-by date and replacing the harness with a commercial one is not as difficcult as it would seem if you are careful and methodical about it.

When replacing a harness one of my favorite tricks is to clip off the wire ends in place, leaving them on the back of the gauges, switches and the like. This way it becomes a simple matter of remove clipped wire - plug in new wire - move on. When there are no clipped wires left you can be reasonably suure you've gotten it all plugged in.

ajr

does anyone have direct experience with the new looms from autosparks?
i'm rewiring the back chassis harness myself, but i don't want to take on the engine bay and i don't like the look of the old harness.

i like the idea of buying a new one and having all the add-ons i want like 12v socket and reverse and fog lights prefitted, seems simple really.

Thanks all for your replies and ideas!!

Have ordered new loom from autosparks today thought about making one, but decided on a ready made one colour coded with correct connectors etc.

Mr Churchill I like the idea of clipping the ends in place to give you the hint/colour of wire you need. That has got to be the top tip!!!!!

Will let you all now how the strip out and rewire goes.

Thanks again