Trimming down wiring harness (Shane?)

[RockMonkey]

So, I need to get rid of everything on my YJ wiring harness that isn't needed to keep the motor running. Any tips? Just look for connectors that aren't connected to anything, and trace the wires all the way back and cut them? Shane, you did this with your XJ harness, right? Any problems to look out for?

BTW, my motor runs.

 

[I Lean]

BTW, my motor runs.

Woot!

 

[mbryson]

.....BTW, my motor runs.

D@mn.....I was hoping I'd at least beat you to that......(just need fuel at the tank end and it 'should' run) CONGRATS!!!

 

[Herzog]

So, I need to get rid of everything on my YJ wiring harness that isn't needed to keep the motor running. Any tips? Just look for connectors that aren't connected to anything, and trace the wires all the way back and cut them? Shane, you did this with your XJ harness, right? Any problems to look out for?

BTW, my motor runs.

Well... It's a hit or miss unless you have a diagram. Even then you will pull your hair out trying to figure out what goes where. On mine, I just followed the basics that it needed (cpu, tcu, all the fun sensor stuff, and a few of the relays) and cut the rest out.

If it dies or doesn't start when you cut it, put it back.

 

[RockMonkey]

Don't worry Marc, my engine can only run for short periods of time. No radiator hoses yet. Also, no power steering hoses. I wish I could just let it run while cutting wires so I'd know right away if I did something wrong. Even if I had coolant hoses the lack of exhaust would keep me from leaving it running. :-\

 

[Hickey]

I too am intersted in this. Shane, can you list all of the things that you know for sure you cut out?

 

[Shawn]

Would it not be eaiser just to get a painless wiring kit?

 

[I Lean]

Would it not be eaiser just to get a painless wiring kit?

Is there even one for the 4.0? I'm sure it'd be easier if there is one, but it would also be fore than free.

 

[Milner]

Easiest way....put the Renix fuel rail and computer in....VERY simple and straight forward.
It is a very basic FI system.
I just happent to extra.

 

[RockMonkey]

Easiest way....put the Renix fuel rail and computer in....VERY simple and straight forward.
It is a very basic FI system.
I just happent to extra.

Is there a web site somewhere that has details on how to do this? I'm really stupid when it comes to wiring (seriously DUMB), so I need it spelled out step-by step. I am interested in trying it, though.

 

[Shawn]

Is there even one for the 4.0?

Nope... I guess not.

http://www.painlessperformance.com/home.htm

 

[Hickey]

Is there a web site somewhere that has details on how to do this? I'm really stupid when it comes to wiring (seriously DUMB), so I need it spelled out step-by step. I am interested in trying it, though.

I would stay with what you have. What would converting to RENIX give you? Probably a big electrical headache. You know your junk runs, stick with it.

 

[Brett]

I would stay with what you have. What would converting to RENIX give you? Probably a big electrical headache. You know your junk runs, stick with it.

I think that it's just because it's a MUCH simpler system....makes it easier on the wiring. If Marc has one, I'd say go for it. I've not had any problems with any of the Jeeps I've had with the Renix system.

 

[Hickey]

I'm not knocking the Renix setup, I just say, why change what you have to something similar if it really won't gain you anything. Doesn't Shane have Renix too?

 

[Brett]

I'm not knocking the Renix setup, I just say, why change what you have to something similar if it really won't gain you anything. Doesn't Shane have Renix too?

I think that he does.....I think his XJ is the same year as mine.

 

[RockMonkey]

I would stay with what you have. What would converting to RENIX give you? Probably a big electrical headache. You know your junk runs, stick with it.

Only to eliminate some wiring harness mass that I am currently having difficulty finding room for. I'm afraid to bust into the engine wiring harness. The interior wiring harness I managed to whittle down from a forearm-thick mass if wires to about four wires for the gauges, ignition, and starter. It really made a huge dent in the amount of crap I have to conceal under the dash. I would very much like to do the same for the under-hood wiring, but I'm afraid of taking a running engine and rendering it nonfunctional.

 

[Hickey]

We need pics man. You should probably be safe to delete anything for the AC, do you have a wiring schematic from say, a Haynes manual?

 

[RockMonkey]

We need pics man. You should probably be safe to delete anything for the AC, do you have a wiring schematic from say, a Haynes manual?

Better than that, I have the factory shop manuals for it. Pics? Let me see what I can do...

 

[Hickey]

There should be some cruise control wiring too, right?

 

[RockMonkey]

Here ya go, my progress so far.

What's left of the interior wiring

What's been removed

I still have a couple more wires that I researched and decided to eliminate, but have not yet. After everything that's going is gone I'll clean it up a lot, eliminate all of the plastic splice things, and put it in a small loom. I'd love to do something similar with the engine harness, but it scares the hell out of me.