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Oil/Coolant substance in Engine Harness

Carbonsky
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Carbonsky Explorer

Carbonsky

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Oil/Coolant substance in Engine Harness

If it's not one thing after another. So as I was removing my alternator due to an issue with receiving 18v from my charging system, a puddle of what appeared to be a oil/coolant mix formed next to my head on the floor. Now my car hasn't moved since Aug 12th due to a broken leg (only pulled it forward 8ft out of the garage once after disconnecting the alternator to hang ceiling racks and check voltage). This substance was legit pouring out of a connector (engine harness side not the power steering line) plugged into a power steering hard line directly under the alternator. Any ideas/suggestions as to what could be causing this? Any and all advice is appreciated. 

Thanks gents!

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shaund Enthusiast

shaund

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if the liquid is conductive, it could be part of your alternator problem if its short circuiting anything... you may have to do your best to clean the harness and inspect for damage...

 

if its just engine oil or PS fluid, you're probably fine... if you've had water/coolant in there, it'll probably be ok once its dried out so long as its not corroded through or caused any bad joints/connections.

 

If your harness is really bad, you can probably get a section from a wrecker or (or maybe wiring specialties?) and patch it in upstream of where the damage is, or just replace the harness.

Have a look at wiring specialities and see if they sell a replacement section for that area of the harness if you have to go down that road.. brand new high quality is a good way to go if you end up replacing parts of the harness.

If you have to cut the harness and re-join a new bit on, add your own connector to make it a removable section.

IMHO the harness really could have done with a few more connectors for modularity from the factory.

Carbonsky Explorer

Carbonsky

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Thanks for the info! @shaundI guess once I have the alternator and battery tested and it's a pass on both it may lead be back to this fluid issue. My only concern is even if I cut, substitute, or replace it may become prevelant again. Hopes were to find someone else that may have experienced a similar to find the likely source, which begs the question. This could be caused by a least two things right. Pressure from fluid at a sensor could be causing fluid to wick throughout the harness or if the fluid is conductive electricity could be walking the dog (pulling fluid) throughout the harness. One more thing I feel I need to add. The substance was not dripping out of the pins of that connector but rather out of the shielding on the outside between wire and loom. 

89CAL Grand Master

89CAL

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Posted

If it is plugged into the hard line for the power steering then it is the pressure switch to bring the idle up when steering. Im guessing you did the simple things like look for a coolant leak etc? Its not power steering oil leaking through the switch?

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