I'm looking for a new wiring harness for an '85 Camaro with all the electric goodies and A/C. I found a Universal 18 Circuit kit from Painless Wiring, Part # 10201. Has any one used this this? If so, how well does it connect up to the stock connectors. The reason I'm looking at this is that my harness now has a short that allows the A/C to run all the time, even with the switch in off.


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1985 Camaro Sport Coupe
LG4, 3.08 rear, A4
Bone Stock
1999 Blazer
4x2, 4.3L, 3.42 rears
Decidedly slow

 

It might be easier to fix the existing problem. Changing a harness is quite a job. Do you mean the A/C compressor stayes engaged, after the ign is shut off, or only the blower runs, only on high speed, after the ign is off??

Tim

 

I've done a bit of checking with a multimeter and more or less determined that there is a short. With the compressor disconnected the A/C is off. With the clutch connected the A/C is always on, with the dash switch in off. I removed the dash switch and cleaned it up and Fluked it, The switch works correctly. The pressure switch is appearing to work right, i.e. it wil open and close, I don't have a pressure rig so I don't know when it turns off and on. The A/C clutch is engaged no matter the position of the pressure switch. With the key in run the clutch doesn't get power, but with the engine running the clutch is always energized. The clutch wires run behind the engine and are good to that point. I'm thinking of the new harness because if this is bad, what else could be ready to short or ground out? Thanks for the reply.

 

So, the clutch will engage, only if the engine is running, but it will not engage if the ign switch is on, with the engine not running.

Does the compressor still do this with the connector removed from the back of the A/C control pod (not the connector on the fan speed switch)? The light green wire goes from the A/C control pod to the low pressure cycling switch.

Tim

 

Didn't try that, I'll get back to you tomorrow.

 

Painless 18 circuit harness is a univeral harness. It is for things like the headlights, wipers, some gauges, etc...

For factory replacements, you will need the TBI or TPI harness (don't think they make one for carbs)

BUT!!!!! Let me tell you, since I own a Painless harness, They do not have the wiring for the A/C!! The only A/C wire that is in the harness is the A/C "on" input to the ECM, wich is not what you are looking for. Your best bet is to track it down and repair the wires if that is indeed what is wrong.

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"I used to have a handle on life, but then I used it as a plunger and broke it" -The Wave

ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA
'87 Trans Am-K&N,Cold air induction, SSM SFC, Boxed LCAs, 8mm Accel wires, Flowmaster, 16" GTA rims.
'97 Bonneville SSE

If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen

 

I disconnected the switch in the car that is connected to the slide switch. The A/C started to get cold. Compressor still works
GMTech, would a TPI or TBI harness hook up to the carb? Is there a wire routeing diagram out there for this (Where the wires are physically located in the car)?
Thanks for the help.

 

Unfortunatly not. To both Q's.

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"I used to have a handle on life, but then I used it as a plunger and broke it" -The Wave

ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA
'87 Trans Am-K&N,Cold air induction, SSM SFC, Boxed LCAs, 8mm Accel wires, Flowmaster, 16" GTA rims.
'97 Bonneville SSE

If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen

 

Is there anything that would tell me what connectors to buy that would allow me to build my own harness for only the A/C? Possible whatever else is shorting out to my A/C unit? I could splice a new wire into the harness that is installed, but I would rather install all brand new wiring if I could.
Thanks.

 

Heh, the last engine wiring harness (factory) was for a '98 Safari van. It cost $860. You need to find out what is causing the A/C to stay on, because wouldn't you be pissed if you replaced the whole wiring harness, and yet is still didn't work right? I will try to remember to bring a wiring diagarm home tomarrow, and I will try and walk you through it.

------------------
"I used to have a handle on life, but then I used it as a plunger and broke it" -The Wave

ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA
'87 Trans Am-K&N,Cold air induction, SSM SFC, Boxed LCAs, 8mm Accel wires, Flowmaster, 16" GTA rims.
'97 Bonneville SSE

If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen