ARHoosier Posted September 10, 2018 Report Share Posted September 10, 2018 I've got a 2012 SXT and the tailgate harness is shot. I haven't had a rear wiper working in quite awhile, the inside light on the gate doesn't work and the left marker light isn't working either. Today I opened up the harness boot and I've got 8 wires that are broken. I'm a retired Air Force Aircraft Electrician and can fix this but what's got me concerned is the rear defrost circuit. One of the wires is a larger diameter and I'm not sure I want to get into that spaghetti. My question is not really how to fix it, it's how much am I looking at in a new harness and how much is a dealer going to charge me to replace it. Car has 98K miles on it, paid for and looking at passing in on to my oldest child to drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryl Posted September 10, 2018 Report Share Posted September 10, 2018 your best bet would be to call a dealership and find out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhareFred Posted September 10, 2018 Report Share Posted September 10, 2018 I think if you repair what's there correctly (solder, shrink tubing, no quick connects) you’ll end up with something better then the factory. Protect the wires inside the rubber boot and your all set. Replacing with the exact same wire loom (hasn’t been updated as far as I know) will result in the same thing occurring. I’d fix what’s there, just use the same size wiring. larryl and jkeaton 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramfrank Posted September 10, 2018 Report Share Posted September 10, 2018 Hmmmm . . . . I wonder if filling the boot with yellow 77 (wire pulling lubricant) wouldn't mitigate the problem? I am willing to try it, not that it would prove anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhareFred Posted September 11, 2018 Report Share Posted September 11, 2018 That would dry out, wouldn’t it? What about a small hit of expanding foam? Maybe the stuff used around windows and doors. Would encase the wires and could be trimmed if necessary. Might be more trouble then it’s worth..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramfrank Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 16 hours ago, OhareFred said: That would dry out, wouldn’t it? What about a small hit of expanding foam? Maybe the stuff used around windows and doors. Would encase the wires and could be trimmed if necessary. Might be more trouble then it’s worth..... It might, over time I suppose. Perhaps just lubricating it with silicone, or even grease? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brwengel Posted October 6, 2018 Report Share Posted October 6, 2018 I would try a junkyard. For one thing you’d get a chance to see what another harness looks like (is it worn like yours)? If it looks in good shape, then I’d buy it. If it has the same problem as your harness, then you know there’s a problem and buying a new harness would end up with the same result...... Happy Motoring..... jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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