Wire removal for dash removal
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: annapolis MD
Car: 1986 IROC-Z28
Wire removal for dash removal
Dash is dangling and ready to come out, but I can't figure out how to get the wires out the way on the drivers side so it will be removed. I thought this was going to be a piece of cake, turning out to be one of the biggest pain in the *** things I have done on this car. My searches haven't been able to help me.
Please assist me fellow thirdgenners! thanks!
Please assist me fellow thirdgenners! thanks!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,015
Likes: 2,492
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Wire removal for dash removal
That's because the wiring is SUPPOSED TO come out with the dash. That's how the factory put it together. If you do it that way, it's a total piece o cake.
Locate the bulkhead connector; down by the driver's left foot, about 4 - 5" square with about a million wires in it. Go locat the other side of it under the hood. In the center of that, there will be a small screw; 7 or 8mm head if memory serves. Loosen that screw and unplug the 2 plugs that plug into it (one goes to the engine, the other goes to the body, for headlights and turn signals and such). Now get back into the car, and unclip the fuse block that sits on top of that connector (has 2 barbed legs that just sort of grab onto it if I recall correctly). Now remove the 2 screws that hold the bulkhead connector itself to the firewall.
Now remove the dash with the ENTIRE wiring harness, INTACT, still attached to it. You will have to unplug certain things along the way: the ignition switch (2 plugs), the dimmer switch, the Fisher Body plug, the plugs to the radio, the ECM, and the AC ctrl head; and maybe one or 2 others depending on what options your car has.
As said, total piece o cake, and VERY easy to put back, since as said, that's how the car was built in the first place.
Locate the bulkhead connector; down by the driver's left foot, about 4 - 5" square with about a million wires in it. Go locat the other side of it under the hood. In the center of that, there will be a small screw; 7 or 8mm head if memory serves. Loosen that screw and unplug the 2 plugs that plug into it (one goes to the engine, the other goes to the body, for headlights and turn signals and such). Now get back into the car, and unclip the fuse block that sits on top of that connector (has 2 barbed legs that just sort of grab onto it if I recall correctly). Now remove the 2 screws that hold the bulkhead connector itself to the firewall.
Now remove the dash with the ENTIRE wiring harness, INTACT, still attached to it. You will have to unplug certain things along the way: the ignition switch (2 plugs), the dimmer switch, the Fisher Body plug, the plugs to the radio, the ECM, and the AC ctrl head; and maybe one or 2 others depending on what options your car has.
As said, total piece o cake, and VERY easy to put back, since as said, that's how the car was built in the first place.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
From: annapolis MD
Car: 1986 IROC-Z28
Re: Wire removal for dash removal
That's because the wiring is SUPPOSED TO come out with the dash. That's how the factory put it together. If you do it that way, it's a total piece o cake.
Locate the bulkhead connector; down by the driver's left foot, about 4 - 5" square with about a million wires in it. Go locat the other side of it under the hood. In the center of that, there will be a small screw; 7 or 8mm head if memory serves. Loosen that screw and unplug the 2 plugs that plug into it (one goes to the engine, the other goes to the body, for headlights and turn signals and such). Now get back into the car, and unclip the fuse block that sits on top of that connector (has 2 barbed legs that just sort of grab onto it if I recall correctly). Now remove the 2 screws that hold the bulkhead connector itself to the firewall.
Now remove the dash with the ENTIRE wiring harness, INTACT, still attached to it. You will have to unplug certain things along the way: the ignition switch (2 plugs), the dimmer switch, the Fisher Body plug, the plugs to the radio, the ECM, and the AC ctrl head; and maybe one or 2 others depending on what options your car has.
As said, total piece o cake, and VERY easy to put back, since as said, that's how the car was built in the first place.
Locate the bulkhead connector; down by the driver's left foot, about 4 - 5" square with about a million wires in it. Go locat the other side of it under the hood. In the center of that, there will be a small screw; 7 or 8mm head if memory serves. Loosen that screw and unplug the 2 plugs that plug into it (one goes to the engine, the other goes to the body, for headlights and turn signals and such). Now get back into the car, and unclip the fuse block that sits on top of that connector (has 2 barbed legs that just sort of grab onto it if I recall correctly). Now remove the 2 screws that hold the bulkhead connector itself to the firewall.
Now remove the dash with the ENTIRE wiring harness, INTACT, still attached to it. You will have to unplug certain things along the way: the ignition switch (2 plugs), the dimmer switch, the Fisher Body plug, the plugs to the radio, the ECM, and the AC ctrl head; and maybe one or 2 others depending on what options your car has.
As said, total piece o cake, and VERY easy to put back, since as said, that's how the car was built in the first place.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 726
Likes: 1
From: League City, TX
Car: 90 Formula -- tot resto in progress
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700R4 w/ 2500 stall, by Owen @ ARD
Axle/Gears: 3.23 posi disc
Re: Wire removal for dash removal
I don't know about the fuse block clipping over the bulkhead connector,
since my Formula isn't configured that way. But sofa is spot-on about
the bulk-head connector, and then the collection of secondary connections.
Good luck.
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 30
From: Levittown Pa
Car: 89 Iroc Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi 9 bolt PBR
Re: Wire removal for dash removal
Or do what I did and find someone who has done it before to give you a hand.Its a real PITA if you dont know what your doing
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