Honda Car Forum

Hi folks,

The 86 Legend had a melt down of the wiring harness connecting to
the alt. The battery cable melted as well. I've heard this is common...
here is the problem. The dealer wants over 400 bucks for the harness and
the alternator may need replacing too. The dealer wants about 400 for that
as well but I think the local parts store may have a rebuilt one for allot
less.

Question is this since I can't find a harness in the salvage yard,
would just splicing in some #12 wire with solderless connectors work and
replace the battery cable. Then see if the alternator needs replacing after
replacing the melted wires. The plug on the alternator seems that it would
accept the solderless wire connectors. Will it work or do I have to drop
400 plus on the harness?

Thanks in advance, Dave in NC

"DaveO" <daveo3@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:cDRXd.6127$cN6.4272@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
> Hi folks,
>
> The 86 Legend had a melt down of the wiring harness connecting to
> the alt. The battery cable melted as well. I've heard this is common...
> here is the problem. The dealer wants over 400 bucks for the harness and
> the alternator may need replacing too. The dealer wants about 400 for that
> as well but I think the local parts store may have a rebuilt one for allot
> less.
>
> Question is this since I can't find a harness in the salvage yard,
> would just splicing in some #12 wire with solderless connectors work and
> replace the battery cable. Then see if the alternator needs replacing
> after replacing the melted wires. The plug on the alternator seems that
> it would accept the solderless wire connectors. Will it work or do I have
> to drop 400 plus on the harness?
>
> Thanks in advance, Dave in NC
>
>
>
Splicing is definitely my recommendation. Start with the wires in the
harness and see if everything works (except the alternator, of course). If
everything works or can be fixed affordably, add the alternator wire and an
alternator from the wrecking yard (I expect the alternator is toast).
Rebuilt alternators and starters have earned a bad reputation, especially in
Honda products. A genuine OEM alternator from the wrecking yard is a better
bet, especially if you can replace the brushes (assuming they need it).

When you splice the wires, offset the splices as much as possible (so they
don't make a big wad of splices).

Good luck!

Mike