Cluster Harness Connector
If you have ever had to pull an instrument cluster from one of these 60's MOPAR's that has a circular "pin & socket" connector, you know how frustrating it can be to reconnect it later. I finally got so tired of fighting with mine that I decided to do something about it.
I decided what I wanted to do was to solder new wires directly to the pins on the PCB that is the backing to my instrument cluster. Because there are nine pins, I needed nine different wire colors of stranded wire (for flexibility) and they needed to be about 16 gauge. So I found an old, discarded power supply in the e-waste bin at my work and cut the wire loom off it. This was perfect as the 24-pin main motherboard power connector had exactly 9 different colors of 16 gauge wire. Time to heat up the soldering iron and get to work!
I decided what I wanted to do was to solder new wires directly to the pins on the PCB that is the backing to my instrument cluster. Because there are nine pins, I needed nine different wire colors of stranded wire (for flexibility) and they needed to be about 16 gauge. So I found an old, discarded power supply in the e-waste bin at my work and cut the wire loom off it. This was perfect as the 24-pin main motherboard power connector had exactly 9 different colors of 16 gauge wire. Time to heat up the soldering iron and get to work!
I got pretty lucky in that the 9 colors of wire from the power supply closely matched the 9 colors of stock wiring harness wire with only 2 colors being different. The 9-pin 3x3 connector I picked up at a local RadioShack. Diligent use of heat-shrink and expanding wire wrap and it looks darned professional (in my opinion anyway).
Now to address the wire in the dash. I took my soldering iron out to the garage and setup right inside my car, without carpet or seat upholstery to ruin I didn't have to worry about burning anything. I took my time and double-checked my wire color guide often to make sure I didn't make a mistake. Again, I think it looks very professional, and because all the wiring is hidden behind the dash and instrument cluster, no one will ever know that I made this little modification. Except your readers of course.
Now to address the wire in the dash. I took my soldering iron out to the garage and setup right inside my car, without carpet or seat upholstery to ruin I didn't have to worry about burning anything. I took my time and double-checked my wire color guide often to make sure I didn't make a mistake. Again, I think it looks very professional, and because all the wiring is hidden behind the dash and instrument cluster, no one will ever know that I made this little modification. Except your readers of course.
2018 Update
It has been a few years since I did my original cluster harness connector mod and career experience has taught about Deutsch brand connectors. Deutsch connectors are a superior connector style and more appropriately suited to automotive applications. Using a product selector at the Ladd Inc. website, I found a round 9-position Deutsch connector that is perfect for this application.
I acquired a mating connector set as well as the appropriate crimp contacts and swapped out the Molex connector for the Deutsch connector set.
I acquired a mating connector set as well as the appropriate crimp contacts and swapped out the Molex connector for the Deutsch connector set.