New wiring loom

Landyfox said:

Has anyone made their own wiring loom? I am fed up with intermittent electrical issues as a result poor wiring mods throughout the years by previous owners. I have the wiring diagram in the workshop manual, but no idea what specific lengths etc I require. Ideally I would prefer to leave the existing wiring in place until I’ve made and tested the new loom. It would be a great opportunity to update all the connections and mod it for LED lights etc. It’s a 300TDi 90.

Click to expand...

mick 1986 said:

I have made many wiring looms over the years, but none for the “main” circuits of my current 200tdi. I have a bee loom for the roof lights all ready to be installed and wired up, but lacking the tile at the minute.

My advice is measure as best you can with a flexible tape measure, then add at least 300mm at each end. The worst that should happen then is you end up “wasting” a few feet of each length, but that’s better than wasting a 9 foot piece, when it should have been 9 foot 6. As for wire diameter, try and calculate what current should be running through the wire, and add 10%. Then go for whatever is the most applicable diameter. Most of my earths are 2.5mm, this is due to having a 100mtr roll of the stuff, so it’s being used, after that, most of the lives are 1.5 or 2.5mm depending on what they are doing.

If you can get a sheet of 8 x 4 plywood and actually draw the route of the wiring on it, and route the wires round the bends, it makes it a whole lot easier and neater.

Click to expand...

Landyfox said:

Thanks chaps. It sounds doable as long as I take my time and map out carefully what will be required. I’ve previously used Wiring Solutions in Darby - Is there any other suggestions or recommendations for where to source the wires and connectors etc. I know our very own PaulMC has been extremely helpful to me over the years trying to sort out my birds nest in the back!!

Click to expand...

frog hopper said:

Vehicle Wireing Products are good.

Click to expand...

mick 1986 said:

Yes @PaulMc is who I always recommend when someone asks for connectors. As for the wire itself, I use either Altec Automotive or Pole Volt. Both are about the same, but one will stock more colours in certain CSA.

Click to expand...

Landyfox said:

Thanks Mick

Click to expand...

mick 1986 said:

I found them expensive compared to Altec Automotive and Pole Volt. I have never used them, so can’t comment on their service.

Click to expand...