so i bought an 88 GTA off of ebay and lets just say i got screwed big time and im stuck with her, not a bad car by any means its actually pretty well optioned. anyway on to the question, the interior and engine bay harness is completely cut in pieces, where it goes through the firewall to the fuse box has all been soldered together to one GIANT harness.... would it be okay to attempt to re-wire the harness and get the piece that goes through the firewall i believe its called the c100 connector. the car has a digital dash and MOST of it works but not all of it.... trying to salvage the car and bring it back to original as close as possible and yes to answer anyone's question for some reason it didn't occur to me to check it before bidding.....

 

Myself, I'd be hit'n the junk yards for another harness. I'm no stranger to auto electrical having been in the business 30+ years. I believe that would be easier than you trying to sort through that mess. One crossed wire and poof......

 

Replace it.

 

I'd agree with that. Half the battle would be trying to figure out what the previous owner did, and why. Answers you may never find out. I'd rather start fresh with a better piece myself.

 

Okay one more question, does the digital dash have a special harness for the motor or will any 5.0 5 speed harness for 88 work? What other years should I look for?

 

It sounds like you're going to need the engine harness, fuse box and under dash harness.

Before you go any further, I'd inspect the rest of the wiring in the car to make sure nothing else has been hacked.

I'd look for used, unmolested harnesses and fuse box from another car before I turn to the aftermarket (like Painless Wiring, etc.). A good dismantler should be able to help you with your questions like the digital dash (there are some good member resources here too).

Keep in mind that the PO must have had a reason (a good to stupid reason) to hack the wiring so be aware that there is the possibility that you still might have problems even after you get the wiring sorted out.

Places like this might be able to help you:

http://frankspontiacparts.com/

This is not an endorsement or anything else. I didn't even know they existed until a few minutes ago.

I do recall someone here using a harness restoration service. They might not be able to help you with your hacked harnesses but they might know where to pick up some decent used ones.

 

ALL of the harnesses in a digital dash Firebird are specific to the Digital Dash cars. Engine harness, Headlight Harness, Dash Harness, Tail light harness; ALL of them.


I should be able to get you more info abou the dash harness later tonight.....

 

What exactly makes a digital dash engine harness different than a non digital engine harness.

 

Painless wiring can help.

 

The digital dash Firebirds had the "Driver Info Center". The dash harness is obviously different to accomodate the electric heater system and teh Digital Dash. The (tail and head ) light harnesses are different because of all the extra wiring needed for the DIC light warnings (warning when light is dead) The Engine bay harness is different because of additional sensors too,... Wiper resovior for example.

I've got an 88 GTA and the engine harness I pulled from it is - by far - the largest engine harness I've ever pulled from a ThirdGen.

 

There is a 87 digital dash GTA in the local yard here in town. very unmolested. the engine and engine harness is gone, but the dash was still there and intact last time I went.

Give them a call, see what they can do for you.

http://www.pullapart.com/locations/tucson/