Engine harness

[kevindwatts]

I have pretty much narrowed my power problem to a wiring problem. All components are good, still have the problem. So I am either looking for a used engine harness or thinking about just rewiring mine and using either just replacement wire or aluminum wire. Any thoughts, suggestions, or harnesses? thanks.

[Patrick Feeley]

I would stay away from aluminum wire. Cheers!

[kevindwatts]

After doing some reading, aluminum may not rust out and last longer, but you need to use bigger wire and it's not as good of a conductor as copper. I guess 17 yrs on a copper wire ain't bad. I will be redoing the harness starting tomorrow, hoping to find my loose or broken wires.

[alberta 7.3]

Using an ohmmeter, check the wiring for continuity. Chances are there will only be one or two wires that are broken or chafed, or damage to the injector/glow plug connectors. Just repair what is necessary. The factory wire and connectors on these trucks seem to stand up well, with only corrosion and melting being problems. Stick with copper wire. Aluminum wire in smaller gauges is hard to find, most silver colored smaller wire is tinned copper. You can't solder aluminum, which makes splicing difficult. Splicing aluminum to other metals usually results in galvanic corrosion where road salt is used.

[kevindwatts]

Yeah, I think I was being a little slow in the head gears when I was talking aluminum. I meant that tinned stuff. The new UCVH has tinned wires and I was thinking aluminum when I seen the sparkly stuff. Well, tomorrow I will pick up some good wire and the ohmmeter and pull the harness. My problem has to be within. Sounds like a day of wire testing for me. Beats paying ford 110 bucks an hour to do it. Thanks for y'alls input.