I am waiting for my new motor mounts to be delivered and I am in the process of installing my rebuilt steering rack so the front end of the car is dismantled including radiator, fans and alternator. I have discovered a rather large gauge wire, cloth wrapped, with plastic sleeve that is coming from the passenger side wiring harness after passing through the firewall which looks as if it originates from under the car's instrument panel or close proximity. This wire is now draped over the oil filter canister with no end, just exposed wire and looks as if it is long enough to reach forward to the area of the alternator. Just a guess. Hard now to determine color code of wire and have been unable to locate on wiring diagram. It would be a great help if someone out there could just identify this wire. I am new to wrenching on an e type but finding them fascinating. My car is a 1971 4.2. Thanks, Ben Curlin

Submitted by bencurlin@char… on Sun, 07/07/2013 - 13:50

With these suggestions, we are getting this narrowed down. It is hard to see the wire and tracer color on that old cloth insulation but everyone I have shown it to believes it to be blue and white. I was running down wires behind my gauge panel a number of weeks ago and did disconnect my coil wires and fuel pump wiring in order to keep my ignition switch on for a period of time. If this wire connects to the positive side of the coil, I may have taken it off of the coil then. I just don't remember. Will be back on it this week and will post what I find. Thanks everyone. Ben

Submitted by NC98-56048 on Sun, 07/07/2013 - 08:42

Ben; I think your wire, if white with blue tracer (WU) is from the starter relay C1 (right side of bulkhead) to the (+) post of the coil, at least that is how my 70 2+2 is set up. Hope this helps.
I find a continuity tester helps a great deal and a good wiring diagram. Be aware that there are several different diagrams depending on year of car etc. Joel.

Submitted by bencurlin@char… on Sat, 07/06/2013 - 20:18

The oil pressure sending unit is presently hooked up by a different wire, the one with the newer connector. The wire I am trying to identify is a much longer wire that actually can stretch to the front on the car.

Wire color appears to be a blue with white tracer (possibly green with white tracer), color is on the cloth portion that surrounds a black wire located in the center of the cloth wrap. Please note that the cloth/black wire are wrapped in a plastic sleeve when it exits the wiring harness. Could it be possibly AMP gauge?

Wire powers something and is not a ground. Thanks for everyone's help so far. Ben

Submitted by redbil@aol.com on Sat, 07/06/2013 - 14:12

Ben,

Your photo shows a new looking faston connector on the oil sending unit. It is behind a hose in the picture. Is it attached to a wire? If not, I think that is the answer.

Bill Braun