Not a lot going on today. I have been working on the wiring cross over diagram for the Corvette hazard switch to the Fiero wiring (since this car is my first wiring project it took me a couple of hours). I went to Radio Shack an spent WAY too much money on wiring supplies (still need a molex crimp tool). I mounted an on-off switch in place of the Corvette traction control switch. I also added a led next to the the old dimmer / new push button in the dimmer housing. And lastly I installed some micro momentary switches in the Corvette control center on the right side of the dash.

Does anyone know of a way to remove the lettering on the Corvette switches and dash without hurting the plastic.

I am trying to find a switch pin out for the C5 hatch release. If you have or know where I can find it please send it to me.

The traction control switch with the new 25A switch from Radio Shack in place.

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The bottom of the switch with the cover removed. You can see where I had to trim the clear plastic to allow the switch to come all the way down. Also not seen, is the removed traction control switch retaining ring.

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The wimpy wiring that was in the housing before. The Corvette must be wired with relays for everything. The wiring is so tiny.

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Here is the wiring that I did. Pretty straight forward. I crimped and heat shrunk the wiring.

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OK, here is the finished switch. I ran the wires through an existing hole. I will try to find a grommet to fit. As a side note you have to bend down the terminals to get the cover to be reinstalled. The cover just snaps on


More later.

Paul

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1988 Fiero
3800SC Series 1 w/5spd
Lowering Springs
18's w/Pirellis
Corvette Dash Mod

1985 GT
1986 Notchie
1987 Notchie

Really looking kewl.

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Whade' "The Duck Formerly Known As Wade" Duck
'87 GT Auto
'88 Ferrario
'84 Indy

Today was a day of 1 step forward 2 steps back.. Do not use liquid nails on dash parts. It will not hold! I found that out the hard way on my dimmer and some brackets I tried to mount on the center console. For the dimmer I used Loctite 2 part super glue. It holds well but expect to hold the parts for 10 minutes or so if you can't clamp it (not 30 secods like on the package) :'( .

I installed the power outlet in the stock location in the rear of the Corvette console. Extremely easy. Rotate the housing until the reataining pin goes through the hole. It is that simple.

I also drilled the switch panel for switch protectors like NASA uses. Everywhere wanted $6-12 each for them, but I found a close relative a Lowes for $.88 each. I am using these for decorative purposes to fill in the space between the switches. When drilling I drilled on the wrong mark on the very last hole so I get to make another one . At least this one is still usable for mock up.

I made panel retainers from angle aluminum I bought at Lowes. Very easy to modify. I cut it with my dremel and cut off wheel.

Tell me if you like them.



Paul

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1988 Fiero
3800SC Series 1 w/5spd
Lowering Springs
18's w/Pirellis
Corvette Dash Mod

1985 GT
1986 Notchie
1987 Notchie

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1988 Fiero
3800SC Series 1 w/5spd
Lowering Springs
18's w/Pirellis
Corvette Dash Mod

1985 GT
1986 Notchie
1987 Notchie

Hello,

The weather here has been bad. I have been limited to working inside the house so far this week.

All I have done for the car is wire together a radio harness for Fiero to Alpine CD. I cut the wires to a reasonable length, soldered them, heat shrinked, and now I'm going to wrap the harness with electrical tape. The wiring is very straight forward. The Scosche harness and the Alpine harness are color matched to the GM wiring. Very easy to hook up indeed. I wanted to just repin one of the connectors but the wire on the Alpine side is too fine. I know I could have used bullet connectors and had it done in 15 minutes but I like to know that there is no chance of connector failure. Took me an hour.

This is something anyone can do themselves and save a lot of money. All you will need is a harness adapter (I got mine at Walmart for 7 bucks) for the Fiero, the harness for your radio, a soldering iron or gun (I prefer the gun), some heat shrink tubing, a lighter or heat gun for the heat shrink, zip ties, and electrical tape or wire loom.

Read the radio manual and harness adapter manual and make sure they match.


1. As long as they do, just shorten them to the appropriate length

2. Strip the wires

3. Place the heat shrink tubing over one of the wires and move it as far away as possible from the solder joint (use the heat shrink 1 up from the size of the largest wire - the joint will be
thicker than 1 wire)

4. Lay the wires end to end with an overlap

5. Place the gun tip across both wires

6. Solder the connection

7. Slide the heat shrink over the connection

8. Heat the tubing using a flame or heat gun and the connection is finished.

9. After you complete all the connections either tape it up or zip tie and cover with loom.


More than likely you will have a wire or 2 left over on the radio harness. I had 2 - one for the remote amp turn on and another one. Just tape them up and out of the way.

I will add photos of the completed harness before and after wrapping with tape if you like.

Here are the pics

The harness after soldering.


The harness after taping up the wires that go to the large Fiero connector.


The harness after wrapping the wire that goes to the small Fiero connector.


The finished harness after taping up the 2 remaining wires.


You can see the hand of my little helper . He is my 14 year old son. (Sherry and I couldn't have children )

If you paid a stereo shop or someone like me it would cost you around $50 labor. Save the $50 and learn something new. If you mess up you can either try again or have a shop do it then.

Paul


edit for pictures.
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1988 Fiero
3800SC Series 1 w/5spd
Lowering Springs
18's w/Pirellis
Corvette Dash Mod

1985 GT
1986 Notchie
1987 Notchie

[This message has been edited by War Hammer (edited 04-15-2009).]

I did some more wiring today.

It is moving along pretty fast.

I did the connector for the truck release. This is different from the radio harness in that I used a molex 9 pin connector instead of a splice/solder connection or single pin connectors.

The first thing is to strip the wire.

Then crimp, with the special crimper, and solder the pin on the wire (in that order in case you mess up the crimp).


Next insert the pin in the connector housing (make sure you get the pin all the way in).


Finally, I wrapped the wires with pvc tape.


Instead of me trying to explain how to crimp molex pins I found this link that does it better than I can. http://www.gorobotics.net/a...-to-crimp-connectors

Let me know what you think so far.

I'm going to do some more wiring tonight. I want the wiring done by Monday. Only 8 to 10 more harnesses.

Paul

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1988 Fiero
3800SC Series 1 w/5spd
Lowering Springs
18's w/Pirellis
Corvette Dash Mod

1985 GT
1986 Notchie
1987 Notchie