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Mystery connector on A Pillar - Printable Version

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Mystery connector on A Pillar - mikemcg - 07-14-2020

Hello All,
On the driver's side A pillar on my 1970 Mach 1 there is a 2-conductor electrical connector with a silver base about the size of a nickle held on to the A pillar with 2 sheet metal screws. Does anyone know what this connector is used for? There's a body plug in the same  hole on the passenger side. It is located close to the dome light switch toward the firewall side of the A pillar.
Thanks


RE: Mystery connector on A Pillar - Tom W - 07-18-2020

(07-14-2020, 06:20 PM)mikemcg Wrote: Hello All,
On the driver's side A pillar on my 1970 Mach 1 there is a 2-conductor electrical connector with a silver base about the size of a nickle held on to the A pillar with 2 sheet metal screws. Does anyone know what this connector is used for? There's a body plug in the same  hole on the passenger side. It is located close to the dome light switch toward the firewall side of the A pillar.
Thanks
I think I remember reading somewhere while doing wiring on my 69 Mach that that is for a tach or gauge of some sort. I looked through my literature but couldn’t find it. Do you have the original wiring diagrams from Ford or Osborn? That should be included. I reference mine often.


RE: Mystery connector on A Pillar - mikemcg - 07-18-2020

(07-18-2020, 07:27 AM)Tom W Wrote:
(07-14-2020, 06:20 PM)mikemcg Wrote: Hello All,
On the driver's side A pillar on my 1970 Mach 1 there is a 2-conductor electrical connector with a silver base about the size of a nickle held on to the A pillar with 2 sheet metal screws. Does anyone know what this connector is used for? There's a body plug in the same  hole on the passenger side. It is located close to the dome light switch toward the firewall side of the A pillar.
Thanks
I think I remember reading somewhere while doing wiring on my 69 Mach that that is for a tach or gauge of some sort. I looked through my literature but couldn’t find it. Do you have the original wiring diagrams from Ford or Osborn? That should be included. I reference mine often.
I do have the wiring diagrams that I'll be consulting when I install the new wiring harness. I checked the wiring diagrams but did not find anything. I could have missed it. I'll have to check again.

Thanks for the reply.


RE: Mystery connector on A Pillar - Tom W - 07-18-2020

(07-18-2020, 06:20 PM)mikemcg Wrote:
(07-18-2020, 07:27 AM)Tom W Wrote:
(07-14-2020, 06:20 PM)mikemcg Wrote: Hello All,
On the driver's side A pillar on my 1970 Mach 1 there is a 2-conductor electrical connector with a silver base about the size of a nickle held on to the A pillar with 2 sheet metal screws. Does anyone know what this connector is used for? There's a body plug in the same  hole on the passenger side. It is located close to the dome light switch toward the firewall side of the A pillar.
Thanks
I think I remember reading somewhere while doing wiring on my 69 Mach that that is for a tach or gauge of some sort. I looked through my literature but couldn’t find it. Do you have the original wiring diagrams from Ford or Osborn? That should be included. I reference mine often.
I do have the wiring diagrams that I'll be consulting when I install the new wiring harness. I checked the wiring diagrams but did not find anything. I could have missed it. I'll have to check again.

Thanks for the reply.
Are you installing an aftermarket wiring kit like Painless Performance? That is what I used and it would be the same kit for your 1970. It did not come with any “A” pillar wiring that I remember. I would find out what should be there and install it if you can. It makes for a nice conversation item and also is one of the things that makes these Stangs different from the boring Chevys.


RE: Mystery connector on A Pillar - 1969_Mach1 - 07-19-2020

A previous owner might have had an alarm in the car.  Wires in that area going to the door had large grommets in both the door and A-pillar and were continuous wires with no connectors.  Do you have a picture of it?


RE: Mystery connector on A Pillar - mikemcg - 07-19-2020

(07-18-2020, 10:28 PM)Tom W Wrote:
(07-18-2020, 06:20 PM)mikemcg Wrote:
(07-18-2020, 07:27 AM)Tom W Wrote:
(07-14-2020, 06:20 PM)mikemcg Wrote: Hello All,
On the driver's side A pillar on my 1970 Mach 1 there is a 2-conductor electrical connector with a silver base about the size of a nickle held on to the A pillar with 2 sheet metal screws. Does anyone know what this connector is used for? There's a body plug in the same  hole on the passenger side. It is located close to the dome light switch toward the firewall side of the A pillar.
Thanks
I think I remember reading somewhere while doing wiring on my 69 Mach that that is for a tach or gauge of some sort. I looked through my literature but couldn’t find it. Do you have the original wiring diagrams from Ford or Osborn? That should be included. I reference mine often.
I do have the wiring diagrams that I'll be consulting when I install the new wiring harness. I checked the wiring diagrams but did not find anything. I could have missed it. I'll have to check again.

Thanks for the reply.
Are you installing an aftermarket wiring kit like Painless Performance? That is what I used and it would be the same kit for your 1970. It did not come with any “A” pillar wiring that I remember. I would find out what should be there and install it if you can. It makes for a nice conversation item and also is one of the things that makes these Stangs different from the boring Chevys.
The wiring harness is from KwikWire. My 1970 Mach 1 looked good but once you got into it I realized there was only one way to go. It's now a major restoration. So it will be a while until I get to the harness. Sooner or later we'll figure out what that connector is all about. I did remove the old harness and can't remember if it was connected.


RE: Mystery connector on A Pillar - mikemcg - 07-19-2020

(07-19-2020, 07:58 AM)1969_Mach1 Wrote: A previous owner might have had an alarm in the car.  Wires in that area going to the door had large grommets in both the door and A-pillar and were continuous wires with no connectors.  Do you have a picture of it?
Hi,
I'm familiar with the "large grommet" wiring you are referring to. that's the wiring that goes into the door and operates the courtesy lights on the door.

I'll post a picture next week. Maybe that will help.
Thanks


RE: Mystery connector on A Pillar - Tom W - 07-20-2020

(07-19-2020, 06:11 PM)mikemcg Wrote:
(07-18-2020, 10:28 PM)Tom W Wrote:
(07-18-2020, 06:20 PM)mikemcg Wrote:
(07-18-2020, 07:27 AM)Tom W Wrote:
(07-14-2020, 06:20 PM)mikemcg Wrote: Hello All,
On the driver's side A pillar on my 1970 Mach 1 there is a 2-conductor electrical connector with a silver base about the size of a nickle held on to the A pillar with 2 sheet metal screws. Does anyone know what this connector is used for? There's a body plug in the same  hole on the passenger side. It is located close to the dome light switch toward the firewall side of the A pillar.
Thanks
I think I remember reading somewhere while doing wiring on my 69 Mach that that is for a tach or gauge of some sort. I looked through my literature but couldn’t find it. Do you have the original wiring diagrams from Ford or Osborn? That should be included. I reference mine often.
I do have the wiring diagrams that I'll be consulting when I install the new wiring harness. I checked the wiring diagrams but did not find anything. I could have missed it. I'll have to check again.

Thanks for the reply.
Are you installing an aftermarket wiring kit like Painless Performance? That is what I used and it would be the same kit for your 1970. It did not come with any “A” pillar wiring that I remember. I would find out what should be there and install it if you can. It makes for a nice conversation item and also is one of the things that makes these Stangs different from the boring Chevys.
The wiring harness is from KwikWire. My 1970 Mach 1 looked good but once you got into it I realized there was only one way to go. It's now a major restoration. So it will be a while until I get to the harness. Sooner or later we'll figure out what that connector is all about. I did remove the old harness and can't remember if it was connected.
Did you take a lot of pictures of the old wiring routing before you removed it? I learned that lesson when I did my 68 Cougar. Went much better on my 69 Mach.


RE: Mystery connector on A Pillar - 1969_Mach1 - 07-21-2020

[quote pid='40208' dateline='1595146284']
[quote pid='40205' dateline='1595075298']
The wiring harness is from KwikWire. My 1970 Mach 1 looked good but once you got into it I realized there was only one way to go. It's now a major restoration. So it will be a while until I get to the harness. Sooner or later we'll figure out what that connector is all about. I did remove the old harness and can't remember if it was connected.
[/quote]

[/quote]
 Oh yes, once you open up something it's hard to determine where to stop.  Did that with my 1969 Mach 1 and trying to avoid that with my 1956 F100.  It's a slippery slope.  I think MustangMike had the right idea when he did his Fairlane.  Fixed what was needed and kept the cost down.


RE: Mystery connector on A Pillar - mikemcg - 07-21-2020

(07-21-2020, 03:37 AM)1969_Mach1 Wrote: [quote pid='40208' dateline='1595146284']
[quote pid='40205' dateline='1595075298']
The wiring harness is from KwikWire. My 1970 Mach 1 looked good but once you got into it I realized there was only one way to go. It's now a major restoration. So it will be a while until I get to the harness. Sooner or later we'll figure out what that connector is all about. I did remove the old harness and can't remember if it was connected.

[/quote]
 Oh yes, once you open up something it's hard to determine where to stop.  Did that with my 1969 Mach 1 and trying to avoid that with my 1956 F100.  It's a slippery slope.  I think MustangMike had the right idea when he did his Fairlane.  Fixed what was needed and kept the cost down.
[/quote]
I started with that approach in mind. I thought I would make repairs along the way as I was enjoying driving it. I started with the wiring. Previous owner never met a wire he didn't want to cut. Tracing those wires out exposed many sins that weren't immediately apparent. So here I am. But enjoying every step of the way. I bought a '70 new when I was 16. was my car through the dating years and was in my wedding. Drove to Disney World for my honeymoon with 100k on it (I'm from PA). So now bought another one a couple of years ago to relive the days. Having a good time. I don't regret it. I had to have a 351 C though. My original was a sport roof with 302. Loved the car. Always clean. My brother has it but he was unwilling to deal it back. But I do have the original slats and spoiler that I put on my project (briefly). It's a full restoration. Lot's more to go.