The Ford Barn

petew · 11-10-2021, 12:56 PM

I have a short in the lighting circuit of my 51 Ford 4 door. If I disconnect the parklight and taillight wire from the headlight switch the problem goes away.

With that said my plan is to replace the wiring in the car with reproduction harnesses from Shoebox Central . The current harnesses are pretty crispy so I think that's the way to go instead of putting a bandaid on the problem.

So the question is it appears that the taillight harness goes up the A pillar along the roof above the doors and then down the C pillar and into the trunk.
Can I simply pull the old harness out ( with a piece of line attached ) and then pull the new harness in or are there attaching points in the roof ?

Pete

Lawson Cox · 11-10-2021, 01:07 PM

Nope. Too much friction.

51 MERC-CT · 11-10-2021, 02:19 PM

There should also be wires in the same harness that go to the light and switch for the roof light in the passenger compartment. (if so equipped) in 'B' pillar

You should be able to pull the harness out as I have done the same some time ago.

petew · 11-10-2021, 03:19 PM

Older VW beetles have the same set up routing the harness up the A pillar and down the C pillar.
With those cars I disconnect the interior light and do as I had mentioned pulling the harness out with a "tail " attached . The only issue with those is you have to pull through some insulation otherwise they are not anchored in the roof area.
I was hoping the situation was the same with my 51 where the harness may be routed but not anchored in the roof area.

51 MERC-CT · 11-10-2021, 03:51 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by petew

I was hoping the situation was the same with my 51 where the harness may be routed but not anchored in the roof area.

Don't recall any wire anchors on my '51 Merc and the Ford should be the same. Just have to remember to attach a fish line to the old one to pull the new one back.

11-10-2021, 12:56 PM	#1
petew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mebane, NC Posts: 187	Wiring I have a short in the lighting circuit of my 51 Ford 4 door. If I disconnect the parklight and taillight wire from the headlight switch the problem goes away. With that said my plan is to replace the wiring in the car with reproduction harnesses from Shoebox Central . The current harnesses are pretty crispy so I think that's the way to go instead of putting a bandaid on the problem. So the question is it appears that the taillight harness goes up the A pillar along the roof above the doors and then down the C pillar and into the trunk. Can I simply pull the old harness out ( with a piece of line attached ) and then pull the new harness in or are there attaching points in the roof ? Pete

11-10-2021, 01:07 PM	#2
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: Wiring Nope. Too much friction. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

11-10-2021, 02:19 PM	#3
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Wiring There should also be wires in the same harness that go to the light and switch for the roof light in the passenger compartment. (if so equipped) in 'B' pillar You should be able to pull the harness out as I have done the same some time ago. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

11-10-2021, 03:19 PM	#4
petew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mebane, NC Posts: 187	Re: Wiring Older VW beetles have the same set up routing the harness up the A pillar and down the C pillar. With those cars I disconnect the interior light and do as I had mentioned pulling the harness out with a "tail " attached . The only issue with those is you have to pull through some insulation otherwise they are not anchored in the roof area. I was hoping the situation was the same with my 51 where the harness may be routed but not anchored in the roof area.