FJowners.com

General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: mtc on May 19, 2020, 12:39:14 PM

Title: how complicated is it to remove and replace a 1985 FJ wiring harness?
Post by: mtc on May 19, 2020, 12:39:14 PM
can i do it with the tank, seat,side covers off in 30 minutes?

where are  the tough spots, anything around the carb area?

thanks
Title: Re: how complicated is it to remove and replace a 1985 FJ wiring harness?
Post by: Motofun on May 19, 2020, 01:06:45 PM
you'll also need to fairing off too.  I match marked all the connectors with different colored tape prior to disassembly...was probably over kill but an old habit.  Also mark where the various clamps are on the old harness, lay the new harness along side of the old one and transfer the markings.  May seem extreme but everything goes back exactly where it should...oh, pictures don't hurt either.
Title: Re: how complicated is it to remove and replace a 1985 FJ wiring harness?
Post by: mtc on May 19, 2020, 01:13:57 PM
Quote from: Motofun on May 19, 2020, 01:06:45 PM
you'll also need to fairing off too.  I match marked all the connectors with different colored tape prior to disassembly...was probably over kill but an old habit.  Also mark where the various clamps are on the old harness, lay the new harness along side of the old one and transfer the markings.  May seem extreme but everything goes back exactly where it should...oh, pictures don't hurt either.

thank you so not easy, fairing off pita
Title: Re: how complicated is it to remove and replace a 1985 FJ wiring harness?
Post by: ribbert on May 20, 2020, 03:40:29 AM
Quote from: mtc on May 19, 2020, 01:13:57 PM
Quote from: Motofun on May 19, 2020, 01:06:45 PM
you'll also need to fairing off too.  I match marked all the connectors with different colored tape prior to disassembly...was probably over kill but an old habit.  Also mark where the various clamps are on the old harness, lay the new harness along side of the old one and transfer the markings.  May seem extreme but everything goes back exactly where it should...oh, pictures don't hurt either.

thank you so not easy, fairing off pita

I don't know what's brought on the need for a complete harness change and I'm not game to ask but taking the fairing off needn't be a PIA, it will be though if you do it as described in the manual. If you remove it with the subframe however, it is both quick and easy and doesn't put the plastic mounting tabs at risk of breaking, and there's plenty who've done that.

If you have removed the fairing previously by the prescribed method, even once, doing it this way is a revelation.

It is these two bolts each side that you want, this will release the fairing, instruments, headlight etc as one unit, you don't even need to remove the mirrors or screen. This will make your task much easier.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/8233/8508679001_997a147890_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/7032/27133819126_dbc4c9e11f_b.jpg)

Noel

Title: Re: how complicated is it to remove and replace a 1985 FJ wiring harness?
Post by: Ted Schefelbein on May 20, 2020, 09:17:31 AM
Now, you tell me.



Ted
Title: Re: how complicated is it to remove and replace a 1985 FJ wiring harness?
Post by: PaulG on May 20, 2020, 11:23:01 AM
Quote from: Ted Schefelbein on May 20, 2020, 09:17:31 AM
Now, you tell me.

Ted

Same thing happened to me.  First time by the book was several hours.  While doing it I was thinking this is reedikkooluss!  Then I found the easy way, less than 30m first time, even less the 2nd time.

Maybe that could be a new subject for the Files section?  "FJ HACKS" - simpler ways to do stuff like this, and I'm sure dozens of other things people have figured out over the decades.
Title: Re: how complicated is it to remove and replace a 1985 FJ wiring harness?
Post by: Pat Conlon on May 20, 2020, 12:01:37 PM
Good idea Paul....how about you and Noel get together and create a post....I think in the General Maintence section of the Files would be best.

Going my memory, using this method, I recall something was different on early FJ's.....?
Headlight connected to the fairing and not to the fairing stay (subframe)...something like that?

I can have my '84's fairing off in less than 30 minutes working slowly.  We 84/85 owners don't have to dick around with the choke cable like all the other FJ's have to deal with.
Title: Re: how complicated is it to remove and replace a 1985 FJ wiring harness?
Post by: mtc on May 20, 2020, 12:12:32 PM
Quote from: PaulG on May 20, 2020, 11:23:01 AM
Quote from: Ted Schefelbein on May 20, 2020, 09:17:31 AM
Now, you tell me.

Ted

Same thing happened to me.  First time by the book was several hours.  While doing it I was thinking this is reedikkooluss!  Then I found the easy way, less than 30m first time, even less the 2nd time.

Maybe that could be a new subject for the Files section?  "FJ HACKS" - simpler ways to do stuff like this, and I'm sure dozens of other things people have figured out over the decades.

the igniter i bought from ebay came with a harness, ( he wouldn't break it up) that is why I ask, I don't need to do it, but I ask you, why would anyone want to do it, for what reason?
Title: Re: how complicated is it to remove and replace a 1985 FJ wiring harness?
Post by: mtc on May 20, 2020, 12:13:15 PM
Quote from: ribbert on May 20, 2020, 03:40:29 AM
Quote from: mtc on May 19, 2020, 01:13:57 PM
Quote from: Motofun on May 19, 2020, 01:06:45 PM
you'll also need to fairing off too.  I match marked all the connectors with different colored tape prior to disassembly...was probably over kill but an old habit.  Also mark where the various clamps are on the old harness, lay the new harness along side of the old one and transfer the markings.  May seem extreme but everything goes back exactly where it should...oh, pictures don't hurt either.

thank you so not easy, fairing off pita

I don't know what's brought on the need for a complete harness change and I'm not game to ask but taking the fairing off needn't be a PIA, it will be though if you do it as described in the manual. If you remove it with the subframe however, it is both quick and easy and doesn't put the plastic mounting tabs at risk of breaking, and there's plenty who've done that.

If you have removed the fairing previously by the prescribed method, even once, doing it this way is a revelation.

It is these two bolts each side that you want, this will release the fairing, instruments, headlight etc as one unit, you don't even need to remove the mirrors or screen. This will make your task much easier.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/8233/8508679001_997a147890_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/7032/27133819126_dbc4c9e11f_b.jpg)

Noel




thank you very much
Title: Re: how complicated is it to remove and replace a 1985 FJ wiring harness?
Post by: FJ_Hooligan on May 24, 2020, 12:28:40 AM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on May 20, 2020, 12:01:37 PM
I can have my '84's fairing off in less than 30 minutes working slowly.  We 84/85 owners don't have to dick around with the choke cable like all the other FJ's have to deal with.

Based on my experience, the 84/85 fairings are more difficult to remove.  I always have a hard time getting it to separate from the lower frame rails cleanly.  Seems like a lot of flexing is required.  Not a good think with 35 year old plastic.
Title: Re: how complicated is it to remove and replace a 1985 FJ wiring harness?
Post by: Ted Schefelbein on May 24, 2020, 03:27:46 PM
Quote from: mtc on May 20, 2020, 12:12:32 PM
Quote from: PaulG on May 20, 2020, 11:23:01 AM
Quote from: Ted Schefelbein on May 20, 2020, 09:17:31 AM
Now, you tell me.

Ted

Same thing happened to me.  First time by the book was several hours.  While doing it I was thinking this is reedikkooluss!  Then I found the easy way, less than 30m first time, even less the 2nd time.

Maybe that could be a new subject for the Files section?  "FJ HACKS" - simpler ways to do stuff like this, and I'm sure dozens of other things people have figured out over the decades.

the igniter i bought from ebay came with a harness, ( he wouldn't break it up) that is why I ask, I don't need to do it, but I ask you, why would anyone want to do it, for what reason?

Fire would be a good reason.


Ted
Title: Re: how complicated is it to remove and replace a 1985 FJ wiring harness?
Post by: ribbert on May 25, 2020, 08:54:41 AM
Quote from: PaulG on May 20, 2020, 11:23:01 AM


Maybe that could be a new subject for the Files section?  "FJ HACKS" - simpler ways to do stuff like this, and I'm sure dozens of other things people have figured out over the decades.

It's a great idea Paul, and there are plenty of them, but it would never work.

Noel