English French German Italian Spanish

Looming issue

Submitted by mike_sullivan on Fri, 29/03/2013
Forums
Commando

Good evening all, I just tried fitting a new headlamp loom to my mk III Commando, all went well removing the old loom... until I noticed that 2 of the block connectors had been 'modified'. There's always something!

The first mod is the white/yellow wire running from the kill switch to a 4 pinconnector block, it looks like the pin has been brokenoff so the dpo has cut into thecable from theswitch cluster and also the h/lamp harness and bridged the connector with piece of wire & a bullet connector.

So, main question...

  • How can I repair/replace the connector on theswitch cluster side so that I can connect the new loom - is this possible or is the only solution tocut into my new loom and add a bullet? The connector in question is one of the 4 pin plastic/nylon jobs, locked with a plastic/nylon pin and a metal clip... any ideas please?

The other modification is the wire to the horn, this is not a major issue, the horn is dead. According to the wiring diagram, there seems to be a single connector in the main loom towards the rear (beyond the point where the h/lamp coom connects i.e. the big multi pin). I'd like to pick this single connector up to run to a new horn - this is not urgent asI have a temporary switch jury rigged directly from battery for forthcoming MOT - does anybody klnow where I might find this connector?

In the interim I've reconnected the old loom!

Regards

Mike

Mk III Commando

Submitted by simon_ratcliff on Sat, 30/03/2013

Permalink

www.vehicleproducts.co.uk supply multi-connectors similar to the original. You'll need the correct crimping tool. Personally I think you're better off ditching the whole wiring loom and re-wire when time allows. Designing one to suit your bike removes redundant cables and I think there is plenty of room for improvement over the original routing, component siting etc. 'Japanese' connectors are an improvement over original. Use relays to power headlight, horns etc.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 30/03/2013

Permalink

I agree with Simon. Create a central electrics box in the battery compartment, wire the bike using 7-core trailer cable and/or 3/4-core as appropriate and use relays to switch the big loads. You can keep the wiring lengths a lot shorter, use more copper where it is most needed and minimise voltage drops. Desist from using a chassis return and run real earth wires to each item.It's the 21st. Century and the days of wrapping separate pieces of wire together with sticky tape belong in the Middle Ages of vehicle wiring.

Submitted by mike_sullivan on Sat, 30/03/2013

Permalink

Chris/Simon thanks for your responses. I got a pointer from AccessNorton to the Tricor site that sells the correct plugs, repeated here in case it helps others...

http://www.tri-corengland.com/acatalog/4-Pin-connector-SPX032.html(they have 2, 4 & 6 pin connectors, but postage not cheap)

I hear what yousay about the loom, however I have minimal electrical knowledge & know from experience thatone wrong/broken connection can leave onewith a 200 kilo paperweight. I kept careful notes as I unplugged the loom yesterday!

As a master of smoke release, if my lottery nr comes up I'll look at funding a bespoke loom, in the meantime I'll have to be sticking to the book (which is difficult enough ;), this 'lectrical voodoo leaves me dead in the water

Regards

Mike

Submitted by mike_sullivan on Sun, 31/03/2013

Permalink

Thanks Chris, I looked at going there - but it's a long journey for me, I just bit the bullet (so to speak ;) & ordered a few each of 2,4, & 6 pin connectors as sparesfor the same shipping cost.

I will have to look into learning more about themanagement ofsmoketo improve matters, I do like the idea of using relays &modern electronics.

Regards

Mike

 


Norton Owners Club Website by 2Toucans