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main wiring harness
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 7:01 pm
by circleburner12
is there a difference in the main wiring harness between an m38 and m38a1?.
ive got a 1950 m38 that needs a harness, but today I came across a brand new main harness that I believe is for an m38a1. the box the harness came in is dated 11/53.
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:29 pm
by wesk
There are quite a few differences. It depends on the serial number of your M38. If you spend an hour in your ORD 9 you will be able to decipher which harnesses differ in what ways. IE the first M38's had a separate cannon plug with a separate harness from the light switch to the trailer receptacle until MC35387. Then the 3 circuit breakers and their wiring disappeared on the inboard side of the cowl battery box at sn 65927. Gauges had external resistors until MC17855. Wire # 12 ended at the firewall through MC20599 which had a firewall mounted radio noise filter. The aux power plug on the firewall ended with MC47771. The CB on the instrument cluster went away at MC 65042.
So yes you can adapt the M38A1 harness to the M38 but you will have several modifications to due plus those mods needed for changes in lengths and location of components.
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:54 pm
by circleburner12
it has the early headlight switch along with the early components. well it looks like i'll sell the wiring harness along with the 24v parts i got. and make a down payment on the correct harness. thxs
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:26 pm
by wesk
It would not be that difficult to alter the A1 harness. Definately cheaper then the $750 + for the correct harness. What is the part number on the A1 harness?
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:57 pm
by circleburner12
on duty at the firehouse tonite. i'll get it off the box tomorrow and let you know. thxs wesk
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 1:16 pm
by circleburner12
heres the box tag info.
osn g758-83-29662
wo-806410
da-33-019-ord-1268
burton packaging company
date-11-53
thxs
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 8:21 pm
by wesk
M38A1 main lighting harness.
You just need to modify your new harness so it matches the lower wiring diagram. You will need the second smaller plug for your light switch. separate the rear lamp wires from the M38A1 harness that should only run to the rear and add them & the remaining rear lamp wires to that small plug. Where you pick up power for wire # 15 depends on weather you have thye 3 circuit breakers or not. If you have trouble with the diagrams email me.
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 7:38 pm
by circleburner12
wesk I cant find your email address. could you send it to me in a p.m. thxs
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 8:21 pm
by circleburner12
i might go ahead and sell the harness. it's like brand new for a 60yr harness and way to nice to try to modify it. thxs
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 3:34 pm
by QCIM38A1
If you still have that harness, I have a '53 M38A1 that might like to have it....
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 5:38 pm
by circleburner12
sorry should have posted that the harness is gone. thxs