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Replacement wiring loom question...

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:14 pm
by dave9118
Hi all,
I bought a 1992 zxr400 UK model a couple of years ago and have spent some time getting it back together and running smoothly. However, I've been plagued with electrical problems caused by several existing repairs and old damp wiring, so I found a replacement loom for a later model (L9) from Germany on fleabay. For £25 I thought 'what the hell' and I've received a replacement loom in very good condition.

My problem is this; I found that this version only has one headlight plug, so I've cut the other plug off the old loom and spliced it to the new wiring. No problem there. Everything seems to work as it should BUT there is no plug for the headlight relay! Do I need to cut and splice the relay from the old loom, or can I survive an MOT without this attachment?

Any advice appreciated ;)

Re: Replacement wiring loom question...

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 11:06 am
by Dominik
Well we don't have a relay therefore in Germany. Do you have a switch to turn on the light manual? If so the relay isn't absolutely necessary... I run it like this without problems

Re: Replacement wiring loom question...

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 3:17 pm
by dave9118
Dominik wrote:Well we don't have a relay therefore in Germany. Do you have a switch to turn on the light manual? If so the relay isn't absolutely necessary... I run it like this without problems
Well, it seems to work ok without the relay so I'm not absolutely certain what purpose this serves!

Re: Replacement wiring loom question...

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 8:02 pm
by dave9118
Ok, so update on this most frustrating issue...
today I thought I'd splice the headlight relay into the new loom, which should have been straight forward, but its not!
I found that the wires going into the fuse box are a different order to the UK loom, and theres extra! Also, the wiring that goes to the R/H swithgear is missing two wires. No wonder it isnt starting!

Has anyone had similar issues replacing a loom with one from an import??

Re: Replacement wiring loom question...

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 8:50 pm
by dave9118
... also the fuse boxes are different. Should I replace that??

Re: Replacement wiring loom question...

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 10:29 pm
by Miles
Try chatting to banner, he's quite clued up on the electric side of things.

Failing that maybe cut your losses and track down a uk loom? Couple on eBay at the minute for under £30

Re: Replacement wiring loom question...

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 3:31 am
by dave9118
Ive only seen one UK loom on ebay, but another good one in Germany, providing the wiring is actually the same!
The loom I have from the L9 is very good. The problem with buying an older loom is that its probably crap like the one Ive removed. I think I can adapt the L9 loom but not sure if I should. I think the issue is that its from an L9 and not an earlier bike!
It turns out that the headlight relay is because we use 55w bulbs in the UK and everywhere else uses 35w, so the relay eases the load on the circuit.
More fun and games!

Re: Replacement wiring loom question...

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 7:26 am
by Miles
Well least that's the relay issue sorted.

Could try repairing your old loom with a vist to kojaycat

Carry loads of connector blocks and crimps.

Got a kit off them last year and rebuilt my loom with all new connectors and crimps

Re: Replacement wiring loom question...

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 12:27 pm
by dave9118
Ok. So there's more lives going to different places on the new loom too (ffs). Now, the bike starts, but the indicators make the rear light flash. I'm getting really pissed off. I even priced up a new loom. If I was keeping the bike I would spend the £180, but I'm not unfortunately!!
Take the loom apart time again :smt011

Re: Replacement wiring loom question...

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 2:18 am
by dave9118
Ok got it! Credit where its due, I used Banner's colour wiring diagram which was a big help. The new loom has three live feeds (brown/black, brown/red, brown/white) as opposed to the old loom which was simply brown or white. I've had to join the three browns together and feed from the live feed from the junction box. It now works. Its probably wrong, but it works!

Re: Replacement wiring loom question...

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 9:52 am
by banner001
my pleasure, glad its all working.