Hello all, i'm new to this board, and to 3rd gen f-bodies as well.

I recently picked up an '88 GTA( at least i think it is a real GTA, still in process of authentication) for $350. I got it as a surprise for my wife, who has always wanted a T-top T/A. The body is in great shape(the Ttops don't even leak).

But someone has completetly and totally butchered the wiring in this car, the battery has been moved to the trunk, and I cant seem to figure out where some of the wires go, Some don't go anywhere, just a dead end.The BAT terminal on the alternator has been disconnected and is now grounded to the exhaust manifold. When i connected the battery, the headlight doors went nuts, both raised, and kept trying to go farther.
The car will crank over but nothing has any power. The digital dash wont come on, no fuel pump, nothing

Is there a source for COMPLETE wiring harnesses for these cars?
Headlights to tail lights , Iwant to re wire this car correctly, as to avoid catostrophic failures in the future.
I am no good with wiring issues, especially when i dont now where to start. Thanx in advance for any help anyone can offer, my wife does not even know about this car yet' and i'm trying to keep it that way until i get it straightend out.

For reference, this is a 1988 trans am 305tpi A/T A/C, and digital dashboard.

And my username is correct, because i bought this car from a towing company, that had removed it from a vacant lot, the owner surrendered the tilte to avoid paying fees, and the car was destined for the scrap heap, until i saved it lol .

 

Welcome Aboard!

There is a good chance that the majority of the harness is intact. It may be easier (or just as easy) to diagnose the existing harness and repair the hacks than to replace the entire harness for the vehicle.

Break it down into blocks. That's what the factory did.

Forget about the instrument cluster, accessories, lighting, and most of the body wiring for now. The initial goal should be to resolve the power circuits and engine control.

Start with the main power system, including the battery, its fusible links, and starting/charging systems. You've already determined that the alternator wiring is unusual. Make sure the battery polarity is correct (don't laugh - you never know).

If the headlights are acting oddly, unplug them at the relays for now. Establish power to the ECM, fuel pump relay, GAUGE fuse and circuit, and starting and charging systems. The GAUGE fuse and circuits power many of the sensors required for the ECM to run the engine. There is also a good chance that an '88 GTA has a VATS security system. If the ignition key has a resistor pellet just below the key bow, you've got VATS. That system will need to be active before the engine will crank and fire.

This is the basic power circuit:

 

if you find out you need a complete harness you may want to give www.casperselectronics.com a try. they make custom/replacement wireing harnesses. somthing like this would be around 700$ (hey, 1,050 for a fully functional GTA is damn good right?)
good luck

 

dude vader helped you big time and if you want some real wiring help so you will understand the vehicle their is only one way

BUY THE HELMS MANUAL.

That should be a universal tip that every new member should recieve. I put a 89 dash drivetrain and wiring harness from the headlights to the taillights in a 91 v6 car. without the helms manual wouldnt run. with the helms-mint

 

Just another 2 bits Try www.chevythunder.com this is one of the most complete websites on TPI i have ever seen. Check it out... I believe you will find the diagrams and info you are going to need. I also used my Chilton for tracing down faulty wires with much success. Good Luck!