Wiring, loom

[Paul Finn]

Does anyone know? If all MK2 escorts wiring looms are the same i’m wanting one for RS 2000 custom I think they have a code on them. Does anyone know which code I need?

[katana]

They are different due to the additional / different engine & accessories included with the RS models - as regards a code, i've not a clue!

[Miniliteman]

As katana said there are many/several different wiring looms for a Mk2. Also, as far as I know, there is not 1 number or code for the entire loom. Different parts of the loom have different partno's. If you want a Mk2 RS2000 loom then prepared to do some repairing if you buy a 2nd hand item. Many have been butchered.

You can buy a new loom from Autosparks and yes it is expensive but if you consider the work that has gone into making one, plus sourcing / buying all the parts/connectors then the price is quite reasonable I think. (no I don't have shares in that company ...)

https://www.autosparks.co.uk/ford-es...ng-harness-set

[Forest_rallying]

From memory a basic 1.1 Pop model had no tachometer, intermittent wipers, heated rear screen and possibly hazard lights so no wires in the loom for them.

[Zakspak]

If you haven’t got a loom like Miniliteman says getting a new one is probably best.
Not only are there differences in what accessories you have in your car or might want, but the pinto ignition section is different because of the distributor location, no oil pressure light and I think the temperature sender to. The dash plugs are different.
Also there’s loads of mods as time went on, such as later heaters had a resistor, so no resistor wire, heated rear window fused relay, or separate inline fuse with additional positive feeds. Some later looms had the front lights continuous without the plugs where it goes through the inner wing.
I had a very good late RS2000 custom loom in my stash of parts I bought 30 years ago from a used RS parts dealer, I think I paid about £25 for the whole loom. It hadn’t had any cutting or splicing and all the original labels. Have a look at my restoration thread to see how much work it’s needed, most of it is because of the Zetec, but when I unwrapped the insulation there was a large section where the insulation on almost every wire had failed and become brittle and cracked along a 4-6” section just where it passes through the bulkhead. In the rear section it had damage from factory installation which had lead to some shorting and a few cables getting hot, all hidden under the original outer tape. That 2nd hand loom nowadays would have cost silly money on eBay and just been waiting to become a big problem.
I’ve made a fair few additional modifications to improve the general loom as well as the Zetec stuff and integrating the ECU. Ford were cutting back as time went on not expecting nutters like us to still be running these cars 40 years on. The alternator supply cable is spliced 2 into 1, using the same gauge cable making this splice pointless, and the splice corrodes, not good.
Of course if you have a loom, some tools, a bit of understanding and time you can DIY it, but if not I’d avoid an expensive or cheap original.
Be interesting to see what you do and if you get a new loom how it is.

[Paul Finn]

Thanks everyone I do have the original loom from the RS 2000 I am converting the car to YD Cosworth with the ECU I have the engine wiring loom from the Cosworth do you original loom that I have is a bit scruffy I was just hoping to get a good secondhand one to start with but maybe I need to rebuild this one? And somehow I’ll be all together and make it work

[Zakspak]

Paul, like I said that’s the way I’ve gone because I had the parts like you. I feel I’ve got a nice loom all customised to my requirements with all the mods noted and any new sections/mods are separately colour coded for just in case. I’ve also modified the ECU loom so the fuel pump controls will be in the boot, separated the lights circuits out with fused relays, relay operated Rad Fan amongst others.
Most of my loom parts in particular the cable comes from Vehicle Wiring Products Ltd. They supply a full colour code range of modern cable labelled with its load capacity when you’re ordering. I’m wrapping mine in woven sheathing rather than tape to give protection and flexibility.

https://www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk