re: 1993 DL Wagon rear tailgate wiring harness replacement

Hello:

I'm no longer able to patch up the old wires as they have gotten too
short where they exit in and out of the hinges.

Ordered a new LH and RH harness from eEuroparts for $20 (here within 2
days of order) and both are Scan Tech and made in Sweden and look
great

No worries about he actual mechanical aspect but wish I had a few pics
of the process--and have a few questions.

How does one pull down the headliner? I've tried steel putty knives,
hard plastic and others and have used gentle force in the corner areas
to no avail.

I'd like to do this without damaging anything. Is there some sort of
"tab" that must be "unbent" in a certain area?

Next: anyone happen to know what color wires are for a particlular
function (ie. rear plate lamps, rear lock etc.)
Not essential as I have the new harnesses but would like to know and
did not see it in the Bentley manual.

Lastly....it appears to me that the wiring harnesses do not include
the wire for the rear window defroster on this wagon.

I'd imagine that a rear defroster would have a heavier gauge wire (at
least in my opinion) and it would be separate or different from the
others (which seem to match.)

Just wondering if anyone would know if I am correct on this and what
gauge wre is used for the rear defrost.

Thanks in Advance,

Doc

Note Bene: When I do this I hope to document it with photos to help
others in the future.

>
> How does one pull down the headliner? I've tried steel putty knives,
> hard plastic and others and have used gentle force in the corner areas
> to no avail.
>

It's easier done than said. You pull it back towards the back of the car
and it should slip off the lip it hooks over, difficult to explain but
simple once you figure it out.


>
> Next: anyone happen to know what color wires are for a particlular
> function (ie. rear plate lamps, rear lock etc.)
> Not essential as I have the new harnesses but would like to know and
> did not see it in the Bentley manual.
>

Can't help you there, but a multimeter or test light should make quick
work of it.

> Lastly....it appears to me that the wiring harnesses do not include
> the wire for the rear window defroster on this wagon.
>
> I'd imagine that a rear defroster would have a heavier gauge wire (at
> least in my opinion) and it would be separate or different from the
> others (which seem to match.)
>

It's the same guage wire, the defroster does not draw a huge amount of
power, it only has to very slightly warm the window.

James Sweet wrote:
>
> >
> > How does one pull down the headliner? I've tried steel putty knives,
> > hard plastic and others and have used gentle force in the corner areas
> > to no avail.
> >
>
> It's easier done than said. You pull it back towards the back of the car
> and it should slip off the lip it hooks over, difficult to explain but
> simple once you figure it out.
>
> >
> > Next: anyone happen to know what color wires are for a particlular
> > function (ie. rear plate lamps, rear lock etc.)
> > Not essential as I have the new harnesses but would like to know and
> > did not see it in the Bentley manual.
> >
>
> Can't help you there, but a multimeter or test light should make quick
> work of it.
>
> > Lastly....it appears to me that the wiring harnesses do not include
> > the wire for the rear window defroster on this wagon.
> >
> > I'd imagine that a rear defroster would have a heavier gauge wire (at
> > least in my opinion) and it would be separate or different from the
> > others (which seem to match.)
> >
>
> It's the same guage wire, the defroster does not draw a huge amount of
> power, it only has to very slightly warm the window.

Actually, there's several different harnesses depending on year. The
power for the defroster, 3rd brake light and license plate lights come
through the left hinge. On the earlier cars (pre 3rd brake light), this
harness has 2 wires that are somewhat heavier gauge. On the later cars,
the harness has 4 wires, with 2 being used for the rear defogger. The
power for the wiper motor and power locks goes down a 4 wire harness on
the right side, (2 wires being used for each). Earlier cars without the
power locks use a the same 2 wire harness as on the other side.
These harnesses colours may not match the colour of the wires inside the
car. Up to the connection inside the roof at the rear:

Yellow = Defrost
White = Lic. Light
Blue-Black = 3rd Brake Light

Gray = Wiper Motor Run (Power from switch)
Black = Wiper Motor Park (Power directly from fuse)
Blue = Power Locks
Yellow = Power Locks

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

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