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unbolting wiring harness at firewall


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bruceg
User

Jan 28, 2009, 5:15 AM

Post #1 of 12 (1654 views)
unbolting wiring harness at firewall Sign In

i have a 1999 checy suburban, 4wd, 5.7lt v8, i am puling the motor, i have everything disconnected excepet for the engine wiring harness, i have it all disconnected from everywhere except where it bolts to the firewall. it is a small black box with a hole in the center of it, like something you would stick a socket in and unbolt it, except i have tried ever size socket i have, nothing seems to fit it, you can't see in the hole to see what size it is or what it takes to get it undone, help!!!!! what goes in there to unbolt it, or does it unbolt from inside the vehicle. this is all that is keeping me from pulling this motor. i am frustrated. thanks, Bruce


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 28, 2009, 6:58 AM

Post #2 of 12 (1653 views)
Re: unbolting wiring harness at firewall Sign In

Don't know what size thing but might be able to find out. Can you use a mirror to see whay type at least? I haven't removed one in ages so don't recall exactly but it was something common on an older Chev.

Might be:

*Torx with tamper proof nub.

*Odd size like 5.5mm

*Need special thin walled socket

T



bruceg
User

Jan 28, 2009, 7:52 AM

Post #3 of 12 (1650 views)
Re: unbolting wiring harness at firewall Sign In

i got it, it was a hex torque bit, anyway, i am past that point, now i am trying to get the top 2 tranny bolts off, they sure don't give you much room to work on these things anymore, now i know why i stopped working as a mechanic about 10 years ago. thanks for ther help.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 28, 2009, 8:39 AM

Post #4 of 12 (1643 views)
Re: unbolting wiring harness at firewall Sign In

Kewl! You got it.

As far as getting to the top bolt I could go look at just what you have but it's snowing to beat the band right now.

If you don't have them consider access to tight spots from afar using loooong extentions and wobble headed tips which allow some U-Joint type action without loss of control like common U-jointed sockets or just a peice in line.

Right now I like Sear's 1" wobble heads which you can stack up a couple to increase the degrees of going around an obstruction - just add one or more as needed to long extentions. All that if you can't get at it from above somehow.

They look like this if you aren't familiar with them.........



Best pic I could find out there without a big dig. You can see the idea - it works great for me for exhaust, trans and other things you want to attack from far away from it AND go around something,

T



bruceg
User

Jan 28, 2009, 9:27 AM

Post #5 of 12 (1637 views)
Re: unbolting wiring harness at firewall Sign In

i have tried and tried to get it from above, can't do it, so i am going to go buy me a 3/8 drive swivel adapter. i am down to 2 bolts on the tranny and 1 exhaust bolt that is giving me a hard time. are you a mechanic? i used to be one for about 7 years, mainly exhaust and brakes and front end, did some of my own work on the side, swapping motors, etc. have been out of it for awhile. i just bought this 99 suburban for my wife, got it from one of my bosses, paid 1,300 for it, has a lower end knock to it, trying to get the motor out to see what kind of damage i have, i have got a line on a couple good motors with low mileage for it. where do you live? you said it is snowing like heck where you are, i live just south of charlotte, nc in a town called clover,sc


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 28, 2009, 10:01 AM

Post #6 of 12 (1634 views)
Re: unbolting wiring harness at firewall Sign In

Hi - Yes a now long retired mechanic. The swivel you speak of may just be the trick. Those wobble heads I mentioned are better at NOT falling out of line of force - at least for me. When I've used the swivel (worn tools too) I've wrapped them with rubber bands or whatever to keep the socket from just falling down and can't get it on a bolt.

I'm West of Boston away from ocean weather influence and the snow still will change to ice for a huge area. We don't really care about the damn snow but ice storms wicked stink when both cold and no power.

**********

If you did all this stuff yourself you know how many tools it takes to get at stuff. I can't count how many different types of sockets and wrenches for the same size I've needed over the years. Long, short, six and twelve point, flare crow foot and all sorts to get at stuff. Took plenty to a grinder to get at what was needed. There's a lot of rusted stuff to deal with here so Oxy/Acet becomes your "Blue" wrench - in that ONE size fits allCool

You said you had some whole engines for this and that could be the best way to go. I don't have a clue right now what made that knocking noise in an engine not really noted for lower end problems unless abused somehow.

Good luck with it,

T



bruceg
User

Jan 28, 2009, 12:05 PM

Post #7 of 12 (1630 views)
Re: unbolting wiring harness at firewall Sign In

yea, i am not sure what is causing the knock either, i was hoping to find a cracked flexplate, still may be, have to get those last 2 tranny bolts out before i can pull the flexplate down and check it thouroughly, i"ll let you know what i find, in the mean time, try to stay warm. i used to live in milwaukee years ago, so i know what you mean about the cold and ice, we used to get the wind coming off lake michigan and it would freeze everything, that is when i learned about ear muff advisories. later buddy!!!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 28, 2009, 1:54 PM

Post #8 of 12 (1624 views)
Re: unbolting wiring harness at firewall Sign In

This is whacked but one more thought on the noise. A guy (just at the shop I used to deal with) was talking about this exact engine (5.7 Vortec) that had a crank or cam sensor go bad and the starter was strong enough to crack off a peice of block??!! That when the next attempt to start it - starter fought with wrong firing of engine.

That was just overheard in passing but he finished saying just one bolt was just enough to start it a few more times and if went to be traded in at once! Surely that could "knock around." Never saw such a thing but it really might be possibleCrazy

T



bruceg
User

Jan 28, 2009, 2:04 PM

Post #9 of 12 (1619 views)
Re: unbolting wiring harness at firewall Sign In

i don't think i am understanding you correctly, your saying that the starter broke off a piece of the block, but what was causing the knocking noise. i undrestand that if the knock or crank sensor goes bad, then the firing order will be off, but my truck started and ran, it just has a lower end knock, like a broken rod or something.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 28, 2009, 2:21 PM

Post #10 of 12 (1616 views)
Re: unbolting wiring harness at firewall Sign In

Again - I didn't see it. Was described as a chunk of block broke off with the bolt still in it! If that could happen and just in place or missing the starter being as heavy as it is could rock around with just vibrations. I don't think just a single bolt would hold up too well. Not sure if that type of a failure is prudent to fix or replace the block??

T



bruceg
User

Jan 28, 2009, 2:39 PM

Post #11 of 12 (1610 views)
Re: unbolting wiring harness at firewall Sign In

don't really know what this has to do with my situation, but i have already taken the starter down, and i do not have that problem.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 28, 2009, 3:54 PM

Post #12 of 12 (1608 views)
Re: unbolting wiring harness at firewall Sign In

It doesn't. You'd have noticed something wildly wrong removing starter,

T







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