what wire is what/which?? DASH and radio etc..

red-september · Jun 6, 2011

i have a 1989 landy 90, one of the last straight turbos..
when i bought it, i had visions of installing a nice radio, CB etc.... but no-matter how i look at it or what i do, i can't work out what wire is for what; now im talking about this whole bunch of loose wires not connected to anything, right where the cigar lighter is (WHICH IS EVEN NOT CONNECTED)
can anyone give me a step by step colour guide and exactly which wire is what, "ASIN LIVE WIRES, IGNITION WIRES AND EARTH ETC.." also some have certain screw connecters on and things.. and if possible let me know what wires to connect to the cigar lighter, as i need it to work..
CHEERS!

instantsquid · Jun 6, 2011

The Haynes manual has wiring diagrams.

jstoddar · Jun 7, 2011

I feel your pain mate, I have an 86 which has had a stereo fitted (not by me) had a dig around last month to try and decipher it all along with the Haynes manual but wiring diagrams were written by the Ancient Egyptians!!!

Can take some photos if you want, Cigarette lighter is connected but no idea if it works as I dont need it

This is also handy for a wiring noob like myself - Lucas Wiring Colours - Searchable Reference

Update: Photos would require dash to come off again, lighter works but wiring appears to be non standard as I have 2 black!

Haynes manual says feed in should be purple from fuse, should be black to earth and (optional Red/White trace) from sidelights to illuminate the switch?

red-september · Jun 7, 2011

hey.. ye thanks alot, there does seem to be duplicated wires all over the place, thats one of the problems lol.. ye if you could take a close up pic that would be great, but no worrys if its too difficult

that haynes manual is horrific in terms of being able to understand those wiring diagrams.. ill be happy to get the stereo fixed up so atleast i can listen to something whilst doing all these little jobs

instantsquid · Jun 7, 2011

Your other option is to use a multimeter, a pen and paper, and go through each wire working out what it's connected to. If a previous owner has bodged stuff, you'll need to do that anyway as the manual will be no use.

jstoddar · Jun 7, 2011

instantsquid said:
Your other option is to use a multimeter, a pen and paper, and go through each wire working out what it's connected to. If a previous owner has bodged stuff, you'll need to do that anyway as the manual will be no use.

Good point, even if I send you pictures prob wont mean anything, all the wires going into the back of my lighter, clock and rear washer button are black....they cant all be earth ;-) So someone has been at the wiring with a hatchet and a lot of leftover earth wire

Its on my list of jobs for when I fit my Mud Console and Carling Switches

Station House · Jun 8, 2011

instantsquid said:
Your other option is to use a multimeter, a pen and paper, and go through each wire working out what it's connected to. If a previous owner has bodged stuff, you'll need to do that anyway as the manual will be no use.

:5biagree::5biagree::5biagree:

Top advice from Ian

Don't worry about the wiring diagram - it's probably been changed or bodged anyway.

All you need is a multimeter or test probe.

Check each wire for:

a) earth
b) permanently live
c) ignition switched live

Label them with a small piece of masking tape, and you're ready to proceed.

Just two other things:

1) Any live wires that you're not using, cut off any exposed wire and insulate the ends

2) If you're looking to connect a live feed back to the cigar lighter, choose one of the thicker wires to make sure it can take the current drain

instantsquid · Jun 8, 2011

jstoddar said:
Its on my list of jobs for when I fit my Mud Console and Carling Switches

Like this?

jstoddar · Jun 8, 2011

instantsquid said:
Like this?

Ohh yes, very nice

Must have been a lot of work. Unfortunately top of my list just now is brakes and rear shocks, some long cold winter nights before I get to play with wires.

what wire is what/which?? DASH and radio etc..

red-september

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red-september

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Station House

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