Making a CUSTOM engine harness from SCRATCH!! (Full process)

I am using the Link G4X Monsoon ECU + harness
www.linkecu.co...
www.evasivemot...
I got all new OEM style connectors at:
www.wiringspec...
ShopJimmyO.com
Support the build!!
/ jimmyoakes
/ jimmyoakes
Send some sub mail!!
Jimmy Oakes
PMB 169
61 N. Plains Industrial Rd.
Wallingford, CT 06492

[@-gnicE-]

Most youtubers talk about working on their cars and pay someone else to do it. Jimmy makes his own shit from scratch and when he does have to get it made he helps the entire time with the project. Mad respect, keep doing what your doing.

[@ChannelPineappleSon]

He just soaks up information. Gotta get him welding though! Taylor Ray is very similar in his work ethic.

[@emilydaniel5494]

@@ChannelPineappleSon it's why I love this channel! LZ is nice for vanity stuff, but I feel like I learn more here.

[@mathewross-brooks5164]

Dude is a real car enthusiast

[@emilydaniel5494]

@@mathewross-brooks5164 he just has a natural curiosity, which is sadly rare these days

[@danharper726]

This! This is what makes me him so great and separates him from the rest. 🤘🏻

[@onemanzu]

“Are you proud of it? Because I wouldn’t be” 😂😂😂

[@fortniteweatherchannel]

As a programmer who spends all day sitting in front of a computer I envy RJs posture so much.

[@rjay_az]

I try really really hard to make sure that i sit up straight as much as possible

[@BigBlockCaprice]

Same here lol

[@fortniteweatherchannel]

@@rjay_az made sure to sit up extra straight today, hopefully it's not too late to improve my posture

[@JesseGayvoronski]

@@fortniteweatherchannel never too late baby, stick with it!

[@zachmonk8041]

it’s insane how much a few heavy deadlifts a few times a week helped with my posture

[@caseyjones8114]

These have been my favorite videos. I remember the one you made in your basement. Thanks for the "boring technical" stuff! The Oakes Garage is my favorite on youtube.

[@SendingStache]

one aspect of the car hobby i just can't deal with is electric work. blows my mind how good you are at this stuff. love watching this content!

[@gokartsRfun]

This is the kind of shit people pay big money for. Thank you Jimmy

[@jacobalbert9958]

Anyone else get a Pokémon card with their Merch lol

[@thefunkosaurus]

(RJ)

[@Evan-.-]

Yeah, lol thanks guys

[@gokartsRfun]

So questions: From a work flow perspective, did you find it easier to work by tool / process, or by individual connector? Like did you strip every wire, then solder everything that needed it, then crimp pins on the rest? Or did you finish prepping each wire before moving to the next? What was the amazon loom you used? Would you buy more of it? Did you tape the harness under the loom like some oems, or do you think it’s not necessary? Finally, would you make yourself a harness schematic, or do you think that’s unnecessary because you built the harness? I love this video, thanks man!

[@osrs_sui]

Bump

[@itsfqndave]

Bump

[@Nick_Tank]

Bump

[@oscardeltoro898]

Not to thread jack however I've found different techniques work differently depending on the resources you have. It can be difficult to source a NEW ECM connector with brand new pins. When I have not been able to source one I usually attach the wires to the ECM pins and sleeve it from the ECM towards the connectors. In the situation where a new ECM connector is available the easiest way is to measure your longest connector and either measure everything to lenght or terminate the sensors/switches first make the branches then leave the ECM connector for last, this way the hardest part which is wire placement is already done. You can terminate the ECM connector indoors comfortably.

[@adamwalsh5285]

To answer your questions get all your cables in place and to length solder if required cover all solder joints with two layers of heat shrink or one layer of adhesive lined heat shrink this stops the solder joint from bending and cracking. When it comes to the connectors crimp by tool as the wire strip lengths will be different. Use the manufacturers data sheet as a guide. I’m guessing jimmy used what looked like generic tools. The looming must be cut with a hot knife to fuse the ends which prevents fraying. Cheaper loom isn’t more likely to fray. An alternative you could use is spiral wrap or conduit. As for schematics just create a pin table meaning boost pump is on pins 17 and 18 just like jimmy did a schematic just isn’t needed as it’s just a diy project schematics are used to make manufacturers drawings and for electrical testing.

[@PokeSerafim]

Your wearing my shirt bro 😊😊😊 I got new ones on coming soon ima send you

[@aniballopez2250]

U killed it on the harness great job & I just got my break hearts not ring lands shirt fit is on point

[@Theromanticrejeck]

when the outro hits i feel like i can break through a brick wall lol "Im Mad cause i wanted you to knoooouoowwwww"

[@manbeezis]

Apology Note by Bonsai Trees. I found them from this channel and i love their music so much lol

[@jaadsbmx5403]

@@manbeezis same lol, now they're one of my favourite bands

[@ProModsPerformance]

Have to invest into quality crimpers and splice connections. Solder can fatigue and crack after exposed vibration. Motorsport wiring and OEM exclusively crimps for this (and a few other) reasons. Otherwise, looks good dude! Definitely no small undertaking.

[@TVSbro]

I think you're right with "pinning" because there's a tool called a de-pinner for removing wires from the connector in computers when you're resleeving your wires.

[@rGlockring]

This video was so dope! And I don’t even know anything about wiring, but man this video was sick and it looks so clean

[@WillPark98]

As a PLC programmer, at the start of the video you pretty much explained everything they taught me at college about inputs, outputs and logic controllers.

[@fb.9292]

Add wire calculations and he would go full professor Oakes

[@POWELL716]

Nice to see I'm not the only one in that profession who likes cars!

[@nathanbennett9025]

Jimmy just in case you were wondering I freaking love wiring videos you seem to know what you're doing in wiring and I freaking love attention to detail on wiring harness

[@Kimura384]

Hey question what’s up with the Pokémon card I got with my order😂😂.

[@ffturbo]

Its RJs thing where he puts pokemon cards in orders to spice things up. Did it have anything written on it or not?

[@Kimura384]

ff turbo yea it did it was a lightning bolt 😂

[@Serrucho97]

That's sick😂😂😂🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Broyourenglishisgood]

7:27 “luv you” “get out.” 💀💀😂

[@chadlunn6821]

Great vid. Wiring has scared me forever. I feel like I have a basis for starting a flying lead harness now. You get 1 subscribe.

[@ericlouis7339]

Dude, you really push me to do the wiring harness new on my current build >.< im scared

[@GutZ_47]

As someone who's also building his own harness, it really is not that hard. Make sure you download a wiring diagram PDF for ur car and the engine ur installing and just double, triple, quadruple check before pinning!

[@sil8069]

Ain’t gonna lie I watched this drunk and still fucking learned something lol

[@littleleonard333]

Jimmy’s quality and attention to detail is one of the most underrated on KZbin.

[@jimmys_mk8209]

Jimmy the Genius, Brain blast

[@AllDayToyota]

Please add oil pressure and fuel pressure it's really cheap insurance

[@iloveangrysheepsex2811]

Hows Brian's hair so long already?

[@yeah377777]

Probably this was filmed before the haircuts

[@Leandroalemauuum]

Since it's a sponsored video, probably took a while for them to aprove it, i don't know, makes sense to me hahahah

[@ProWilson999]

Jimmy mentioned he filmed this whenever her got a couple of minutes to work on it, so he could've been working on it for a few weeks.

[@maxjackson9191]

This was filmed over a long period the haircuts look to have happened before the final day of work

[@Korokukanas]

Wait a minute..?? Root it like a tree root? Or!, Route it like a wire through a wiring harness in a car ??? A route "root" is a planned drive you take through a city....But you need to ROUTE a wire through the engine bay...

[@JrgProductionsRSA]

I just did some repairs on my engine loom today , 30 years old and needs to be replaced with standalone management and a new loom XD

[@brendenwiley5943]

i dont normally comment. but im part of the minority that fucking loves good wiring (i do complete rewires on old mustangs for work) and i gotta say this video was porn for me

[@joshuagraff8381]

When I cut the loom I use a hot razor blade, it keeps it from fraying.

[@eyesalooking]

Sounds legit. I will give that a try when I loom my wiring.

[@affenjunge1615]

Jimmy, looming protips for ya bud. I couldn't tell from the video but the wire bundles should have a slight twist so the harness will be more compliant in positioning. Grab a butterknife or a metal spatula and heat it up to a dull red and use that to cut the woven loom to help keep it from fraying(you can buy a hot knife, but goodwill has butterknives for cheap and you already have a torch.). When you cut the loom, you want it to be expanded to around twice the diameter of it when it is fully pulled tight or at about the diameter to be slightly tight on the bundle. You can slide the uncut loom down the wire bundles and then back it off some to get the right length, that way you avoid discrepancies in length due to stretch you get from eye-balling or measuring and cutting off the bundle. For the final casing with the woven loom, the super sick pro way is to have the sub bundles cased beyond the separation point(so some of the sub-bundle casing is inside the main casing.) and use a fabric loom tape to hold it in place. You then slide the final casing on from the origin point(the ecu, main harness plug, etc.) all the way down, but do not cut it yet. Heatshrink the end of the outer casing at the point furthest from the origin. Then you work backwards with a pick to pull the sub-bundles through the outer casing, pushing the casing towards itself to expand it so you can slip the sub-bundles through the holes. After all the sub-bundles are pulled through, cut the origin end of the outer casing and heatshrink it in place. Cutting the origin end is easily done if you tape before the point you want to cut and then push the casing together to expand it and then scissors to cut. Finally heatstrink or fabric tape over the base of the sub-bundles as you did. Kind of a pain to do it like that and it takes a longer time but the results are super clean and durable. You did great for your first time just trying to figure it out yourself.

[@shredct3118]

Jimmy, your a got dam wizard!

[@justinsapp9854]

I love Jimmy’s timelapses just for the music lol. Wish I knew what they are.

[@ctng37]

I love how in depth you went with this. I like working on my own cars but don't have the time or opportunity to build one of this caliber, yet. I love learning how and why things work the way they do, that's why I'm an engineer! Love these geeky/ nerdy vids!

[@Swaginabag24]

Digging the b roll music selection. Quite a vibe I must say :D

[@dirtbikexguitars]

When it’s not “full custom” 😔

[@JohnKonye]

Im watching this wonder why it seems so easy haha. I'm going on 3 years trying to get my MS Ultimate to work with my s52... but I keep blowing transistors for the coils and lost the crank sensor signal.

[@jimc6481]

Awesome work Jimmy, appreciate you staying engaged with us during the harness build. I have way more confidence when I start toe build my F20C harness.....gosh you helped more than you know man, excellent work Jimmy, thank you.

[@theworksho3947]

I love watching this channel because I tend to learn things passively. When I'm working on my own cars, I'll run into trouble and realize, "wait! I've seen Jimmy and the gang deal with this before" and I can handle it. In this one, I ain't learning passively! I'm constantly rewinding, making sure I understand it all! Good stuff!!! I've said it before, I'll say it again: THIS IS THE BEST AUTOMOTIVE CHANNEL ON KZbin (and my favorite overall - the only channel I notice when there isn't an upload in a couple days haha)

[@noahdboss1195]

I have never understood wiring until today. Ty

[@DriveMiami]

Should have worn a lab coat lmao

[@scottj1903]

I need a horness.....

[@S13Egg]

I hope I will never have to do this

[@kofahl1]

I came into this video hoping to learn about electrical and I am now scared out of my mind

[@pvertes23]

More of this "nerd" videos :D

[@CompressorSurge]

pvertes23 we definitely need to "professor oakes" videos 🍻

[@ibrahimghani5605]

I am just lost when look jimmy hold that harness in the beginning. Respect to you Jimmy for finished it and hope it will work as you wanted. Cannot wait for the next video.

[@AltimaV6SportsCar]

My Nissan Altima 3.5's engine harness went bad, so I decided to replace it with brand spanking new, only to be surprised with the dealer telling me Nissan officially discontinued making all engine harnesses for the old Altimas, so here I am, hoping to restore my lovely toy 🥲

[@sprm34kncell]

This is a good show for my OCD... So nice

[@FJ_Jonah]

I second Promods comment on investing in good crispers and connectors, I believe the crimps we use are similar to the Nissan OEM ones, also don’t recommend that loom, looks good but no heat protection, also populating the connector is the term you are looking for, but pinning does work too, keep up the good work Jimmy

[@MRTuning704]

I feel your pain on the harness Doing the same on my s13 and it’s interesting for sure

[@Jizzin10]

Please please please get rid of that relay with integrated fuse. I’ve had experience with those on multiple platforms and IT WILL FAIL. They are the cheapest, least reliable relay I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with. Replace with a nice Tyco or Hella relay PLEASE

[@super_badass]

I'm sure you won't see this, BUT... when you're soldering joints you wanna offset your joints. This makes your harness less "bubbly" basically it won't look like your harness has herpes. Offset your joints and everything fits more fluid. Example: one joint 2" away from connector 2nd joint 3" away etc etc..

[@zunnygarage495]

Awensome Video! Thinking About Restoreing The Whole Wireing Harness In My 200SX. This Is A Great Video That Can Inspire Others Who Dream Of Restoreing Their Car, Keep It Up!

[@ocesmekanics3831]

I know I'm late but great work. I just have a question, would those electrical connectors work for a regular Sr20de? I want to rebuilt my engine harness but I don't see a kit for a Sr20de manual transmission 1993 Infiniti g20

[@stephensnellen4310]

Hey Jimmy, I need an engine wiring harness for an 88 Dodge Shadow ES Turbo. I can’t find one anywhere (online, junk yard), any suggestions? Could it be built and if so, would it be costly?

[@stefansabella289]

On ya jimbo,

[@declangrambower8131]

You guys need a collab with StreetBanditos, get Xavier to do a killer edit with Tim's K series 240z and the KA civic!!!!!

[@DesertExit4]

Hi Can someone lead me who might sell A Complete Engine Wire Harness new fie a Ford Raptor 2011 6.2L Thank you

[@coachgeo]

if one was making a harness for LONGEVITY in potential nasty environments such as for an adventure truck (offroading thru shiat, deserts, arctic etc) would you do anything different such as maybe paint brush it with Dielectric grease before looming it?? something just wondering what may make the wire coatings last longer in shiat environments and or just time)

[@andiszile]

A few mistake not to repeat: 1) Don't make solder joints. Especialy if no appropriate strain relief is made. Solder makes ar hard, not flexible sport that will break over time from vibrations. 2) Don't make parallel connections/extensions - referring to that relay solder connection. Spread out such connections. So that in case a heat shrink isolation fails, then there won't be another heat shrink that can fail and make a short. 3) Would not use a braided sleeve in engine bay. That rough surface is ideal for collecting oil and dirt, and could turn into excellent torch if something goes bad. Better to use a sleeve with smooth surface.

[@killerwhale4535]

Yo you still riding ? Throw some bmx clips in please and thanks 🤘🤘🤘 yo b-hall puff puff pass homie don’t F up the rotation 🤣🤣🤣

[@charliechristian1097]

AT LEAST U CAN PICK UP SOME LINGO TO IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS lol Jimmy Oakes u crack me up

[@reecepsiew8532]

You made this so much simpler for us 💯

[@mattowens3857]

If i'm following, there is one line of power at 14ft length. At each intersection, where we need to branch off and add power, how are you putting power to those bundles? Are you stripping and soldering the power wire making a branch into the applicable bundle? Or is there a different technique youre using? Doing it that way is the only I can think of, but has problems (in my head) with holding up.

[@burningred9562]

Soldered connections tend to crack due to vibrations. Especcially under the hood of the vehicle. Crimping connections are prefferable choice for making car harness. Still, good job man

[@CJ4A]

Thanks alot for this video. Explains looming and the joints quite well.

[@xaviersantos9802]

man i’m 19 and i hope i get the opportunities in life to learn and build some cars, im LS swapping my e46 currently and im just learning anything i can

[@dannywiley4072]

All that work just to solder!! I cringed. Should have connected the pins for relays and sensors straight to the harness.

[@adamwilder3424]

THIS is going to help me alot. Totally downloaded this for later. I'm gunna put a sr20 in a 240 hatch and super afraid of the wiring lmao

[@masongiles8443]

Great video y'all I appreciate this very much broke down the task I need to accomplish far more manageable and I appreciate it

[@marionfisk7926]

Can you explain in more detail where you get repair components that you need like the plastic plugs and the internal terminals and sources of all of the colored striped wiring that a person might need to replace a engine harness like I have a 1974 Porsche 911 and it would be nice to rewire my engine harness if I could find the little individual electrical Terminals. That would be really helpful thank you.

[@MrBazuzi]

I'm kinda curious how you T'd off the power wire through the harness. Was it a particular technique, or a fitting, or what?

[@blalien777]

Can someone tell me if it's possible to get your stock gauges/ heat and AC controls to work with a standalone like the link ECU? Thanks!

[@JubeeHS13]

So question I'm actually in the middle of building my own harness and I'm a bit confused with wiring the alternator and the starter signal. How did you do yours ?

[@MFGAW]

Cutting and splicing is the one that makes me headache

[@reapersshadow22xboxgt97]

What hold on seriously! What's wrong with amazon? Answer RJ Question!

[@dawsonbourquin6333]

Awesome love you jimmy and the gang

[@rotormotor13b]

You can definitely beat a Link ECU... MICROTECH

[@randellgribben9772]

i just made my harness for a 2006 ecotec into my 1984 alfa romeo spider... this is a great way to do it... 1st make all your pigtails from the sensors.. keep the wires about 2 meters long... then from the ecu make the harness from there about .5 meter lay the sensors long.. then put the ecu where you want it to mount..... set each pigtail were you want it to route in the engine bay.. nice and clean... then overlap the ecu harness over the sensor pigtails.. clip even, solder and use a heat srink cover each solder connection.. then wrap the harness... does not take to much time and easy to do

[@JustKyzuuh]

Also word to the wise, solder is stayed away from in motorsports. crimping is preferring. A proper crimp is a cold weld and will hold up better to abuse and vibration than a solder joint. especially if you're solder joints aren't good. I don't hate solder as much as most motorsports guys but it's definitely not as good as crimping for this type of stuff.

[@MRTuning704]

Oem dose use a super 88 / super 33+ style electrical tape Electrical tape is not bad as long as you don’t use cheap greasy tape

[@BiGMiKE8SiX]

Very informative 👌🏼 thanks!

[@maxime_vhw]

Coolant temp grounds on block and o2 on exhaust? I was confused at first at to how you can have a single wire xd im used to 3 wire temp sensor and 4wire wideband

[@jeepguylv80]

good job for your first time. I did mine the same way except the only thing i did different was I wrapped the whole harness with Tesa tape first then loomed it. did make it a little stiffer but since it is in my truck and sometimes goes off road and dirt roads I wanted to have extra protection against vibration since the one i did runs from front all the way to the back routing through and around the frame etc. one thing people don't realize is how time consuming it is, also it is better to fix your lengths before you get too far, i found that out on my first one.

[@dabydomcdaberson9926]

I have a question I bought a Miata alredy boosted and I just installed a new turbo and I’m auto tuning a mega squirt with tuner studio but I’m running really lean if install bigger fuel injectors will it fix it

[@PhantmZero]

did i spot ssr agle minerva/agle strusse in the background? :D

[@HernandezMotorWorks]

Technical stuff is the best jimmy keep it up!!!!

[@josephskeie]

Get rid of that bad luck banner! Ever since you hung that up all of your projects get rod knock

[@ferriszraikaful]

Where did he say he got the connectors from? He said the website to quick and mumbling

[@traceytucker2798]

Honestly that's crazy how you just put that together

[@kyleveach3238]

This is great, would love to see more really in depth tuning and wiring episodes.

[@WeaselBurrito]

Melt the ends on your loom with a lighter as soon as you cut it. Don't kill it, just enough to bind some of the fibers together in each weave. I do home automation systems for a living and use a ton of that stuff.

[@kenikjou123]

dude respect for this !

[@716tg3]

This was awesome ✌🏽🔰

[@VintageTechRepairs]

What did you reference did or use to decide what gauge of wire to use for the power Earth and signal wires?

[@anthonyseymore1217]

Hi Jimmy I have a Corvette c6 I need a engine wiring harness can you help

[@chacaman]

nice work, where i can buy the loom wire? amazon? and the brand of this wire loom?

[@sumudu4ever]

What is the website you used to buy the connectors. I can't catch the whole word from the video

[@DonJr_]

When does the build SR arrives?

[@KasamS]

Im an absolute noob but is it just the 12v things that need power from the main red cable

[@TitillatedGoat]

Damn your shop looks empty here 😂 Just here to learn how to wire again lol