Mattywagon
I was driving on the highway when the cab (88 Grand Wagoneer) was suddenly filled with acrid smoke. I pulled over to see if the truck was on fire, that's how much smoke it was. The truck would still run (won't now though) and I was close to an exit so I pulled off and called for a tow. While I was waiting and looking at the wiring, with the key out, the wag actually hot-wired itself. Kind of an odd experience! So far what I have found without really investigating too much is the wiring harness on the left (looking at the engine) is completely fried. Fried, fried. The wires are one solid burnt mess. I also found the choke wire had fallen off and welded itself to one of the manifold temp tubes. I think this may have been the cause. Also one of the wires (seems to be brown or black, but they all are now ugh) under the dash running by the fuse box fried as well. The insulation dropped to the mat at my feet. I know this is a bit incomplete because it happened yesterday and I haven't had adequate time to look at it yet, and won't til Wed.
My questions are this though:
Any recommendations on where to start? What is the best way to isolate the prblem area etc.
Since I will need new wiring should I try to cut and splice or get a new harness? If I get a new harness should I get stock or a painless set up? What are the prices, pros/cons etc.? I may be able to get a harness from the local pick and pull, there is a GW there. It is probably pretty cut up though. Maybe not. Is that a decent way to go too? I definintely don't wanna deal with this again lol.
I know this is vague but, would the choke wire have been sufficient to start that melting process? I had recently replaced all of my fusible links (correctly I believe) and I don't understand why one of those didn't stop the process.
Any other insights or recommendations would be very appreciated.
Thanks in advance
tufcj
I believe that the harness that runs on the left side (passenger) along the top of the manifold contains the wiring for the alternator. My CJ melted down a few years ago, it was either the alternator or voltage regulator that started it (both tested bad afterward). I was able to replace most of the wires with a minimum of splicing to get back on the road. I did replace the harness eventually. If you do splice, solder and heat-shrink, DON'T use solderless connectors (and tin the wires even if you do). If they get wet, they eventually corrode, and cause all sorts of gremlins down the road.
If it's like the CJ, the wiring block splits at the firewall. you might find a junkyard harness and just replace the part from the firewall forward.
Good luck, sounds like it could have been worse.
Bob
tufcj
