Remaking Factory Harness with OE colors and awg

[Beach_Dude]

The bulkhead connector is a MESS!!! Got everything separated, took noted, photos, to redo it, but I can't seem to clean the thing up!

Does anyone know a part number for the GM bulkhead connector? Is it still available or orderable?

This is after a good 45 minutes of scrubbing. I think those AMC bastards used tar as an insulator.

[babywag]

carb spray works, that crap is awful stuff.

[SJTD]

I think the goo was for waterproofing. Haven't started on the engine side of mine yet. Not looking forward to it.

I wonder if the terminals are available. If so I could just cut all the wires and throw the rest in a bucket of solvent until I have to work on it.

[tgreese]

Yeah, the brownish goo is dielectric grease, assumedly to block out water and corrosion. Fugly but not a problem. Get some spray cans of contact cleaner, a brush and a lot of rags to clean it. WD-40 might also work well. Whatever you use needs to cut the grease and not harm the plastic - I would not risk using a hot solvent like carb cleaner. You can leave it alone if it does not offend your aesthetic sense too much. Goop it up afterwards with aftermarket dielectric grease, available in a tube. https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-22058-Dielectric-Tune-Up-Grease/dp/B000AL8VD2

These are regular Packard connectors, except for a few larger ones which are just larger versions of the same connector. They should be available somewhere... I can look more later. In the past I've drilled out melted connections and run a wire non-stop through the bulkhead - no one will know but you and me.

[lkmarsh]

https://www.customconnectorkits.com/

buyWiring.com

https://www.repairconnector.com/

Try these for starters, I'm sure there are plenty of other sources.

[Beach_Dude]

The Delphi Packard 56 is an absolute standard at any low volt store.

However, the Packard 59 is not. However, I found one supply shop online.

http://www.texasindustrialelectric.com/_packard_terminals.asp

[johnsonic]

These guys were awesome to know about when I redid my harness: http://repairconnector.com/

Did a serach though and they don't have the 59. I went nuts trying to find some and finally found an old-timer's shop in town who had a few.

Looks like these guys may have some?

http://terminalsupplyco.com/Store/Default.aspx?CATDRILL=DEL020&PCAT=54228

[Beach_Dude]

The good news is that I've found the 59 size male connector.

http://www.texasindustrialelectric.com/_packard_terminals.asp

It's the only site I've found for this and I searched quite hard. If anyone else has a reference, I'd share since it might be a dwindling resource.

I have some extras coming my way, so feel free to give a shout if anyone wants some, since you only need to on the bulkhead.

[FleetFox]

I have been using an ultrasonic cleaner with purple degreaser with good success on my harnesses. It does take a good amount of brushing to get the grease off, but if you loosen it up, the sound waves do the rest. just a thought. you can push the connectors out with an eyeglass screwdriver or the special tool. I believe they are called Packard terminals.

For what it's worth.

Fleet Fox

[Beach_Dude]

Engine harness is in, just plugging all the dash stuff together and testing.

The done lights are on without the door switches plugged in and the switch turned to off. On and off makes no difference.

Diagnostics done are that the power terminal always has continuity light power terminal and the ground terminal always has continuity to the chassis.

Ordered a new light switch from TG regardless.

From what I've gathered, the way the dome/courtesy lights work is that the dash/door switch(s) ground the circuit, energizing the lights, right?

[Beach_Dude]

Just got the new light switch in and kudos to TGW for their prompt delivery!

Great news and just a reference in case no one knew...

The dome/courtesy light(s) is an energized circuit, the ground is in the door switches and the light switch.

The new switch was the fix!