Bare wire in Distributor harness?

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Mar 26, 2015 | 05:59 PM

pauldfixr

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Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Budd Lake

Bare wire in Distributor harness?

So, I'm chasing a coolant leak on my '95 E150 Conversion Van, 5.0 V8, and I notice the wiring harness to the distributor looks like it needs some attention. I start pulling the tape off the loom that's tattered and falling apart, when I notice that there's a two inch long section of wire that seems intentionally un-insulated! It is wrapped twice around a couple or three other wires going to the distributor socket connector. All of this is wrapped in about 3/4 inch aluminum tape (not sticky either), then bundled in the loom. Is this the way these are made intentionally? I'll put it back, because there's no problem with the ignition... just seems odd. Only thing I can think is that it is some sort of RFI suppression treatment.

Mar 26, 2015 | 06:27 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

You are correct. There are some sensitive signals that come and go from the computer to the dist module. The high voltage going out to the plugs can cause interference with this signal.

What I would do is go get some of that aluminum tape with the sticky on it, and try to re-wrap what has come off. Or I guess some plain aluminum foil with a a little help from some electrical tape would work ok also.

Double check the regular wiring before you do this. The other wires have been known to get frayed or bare, and get shorted against the foil.